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Mark, IBB, Others Mourn Aikhomu
Senate President David Mark has described the late former Chief of General Staff and Military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, who died on Wednesday in Lagos as one of the nation’s best officers.
In a statement signed by Mr Paul Mumeh, his Chief Press Secretary, yesterday, Mark said Aikhomu was a distinguished officer who exhibited a high sense of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to the indivisibility of the nation.
“His death is a personal loss to me. I worked very closely with him and found him an accomplished officer and gentleman who was loyal and dedicated to his nation. He was a man of high moral standing. He was a leading light and was among the first set of officers in Africa that brought pride and honour to the continent because of his exploits and successes abroad,” Mark said.
The Senate President added that Aikhomu was one of the patriotic officers who laid the foundation for the Armed Forces of Nigeria which had become the pride of all.
He said Aikhomu as a politician, preached peace and non-violent electioneering, stressing that he eschewed rancour and bitterness in its entire ramification.
Mark urged Aikhomu’s wife, Rebecca, as well as the government and people of Edo State to take solace in the fact that the deceased left an indelible footprint on the sands of time.
Also, former Military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed shock over the death of his deputy, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.
According to a statement signed by his spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the former military leader said: “I am dumbfounded with the news coming on a day when I am celebrating my 70th birthday. I have lost a trusted, loyal and extremely reliable friend and a brother in Augustus Aikhomu. I enjoyed all my years of very warm and close relationship with him. He was a professional colleague who understood where we were headed as government and went out of his way to ensure, we achieved our set goals and objectives”.
Babangida prayed that God would grant Aikhomu eternal rest and grant the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the painful and irreplaceable loss.
Also,Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed shock over the death of the former military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.
The governor, who extolled the enviable military career of Aikhomu, said: “Although he served under a military administration, he managed to cut the image of a father figure and a man of moderate influence. In his years as a politician, he was vibrant and demonstrated a competitive spirit.’’
He commiserated with the widow, Rebecca, whom he described as a staunchly supportive spouse. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Aikhomu family at this trying moment and prayed God to grant him eternal rest,’’ the governor said.
Former Chief of General Staff (CGS) Adm. Augustus Aikhomu would be fondly remembered for his loyalty both in the military and politics, former Senate president Adolphous Wabara said.
The former Senate president prayed God to grant the elder statesman “eternal rest in his bosom” and fortitude for his family to bear the irreparable loss.
In his tribute, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger described the death as a great loss.
A release, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, quoted the governor as saying that though Admiral Aikhomu died at the age of 72, after a prolonged illness, his death still came as a shock.
“Coming at a time when the guidance and advice of our great leaders are needed to help steer the ship of state, Admiral Aikhomu’s death is a big blow. But we are comforted that the great values he left behind will serve as guiding light not only to his former colleagues in the military but to the entire nation.”
Aliyu described Aikhomu as a loyal and dedicated deputy who supported former President Ibrahim Babangida in the re-engineering of Nigeria with resultant legacies in all sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has described the death of the former Military Vice President of Nigeria, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Rtd), as a huge loss to the nation.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali described the late former Vice President as a statesman whose critical roles as vice president between 1986 – 1993 contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alh. Abubakar Kawu Baraje and the Party’s National Working Committee deeply regret the passing away of Admiral Aikhomu whose years of committed service to the Nigerian Navy and the nation is a lesson in patriotism.
The PDP further prayed Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, the Government and people of Edo State, as well as the nation.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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