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Leaders Mourn Akhigbe’s Death
Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe (left) present a cheque of fifty thousand naira N50,000.00 to Miss Patience Jaja (right) during the Anual Presentation of Finance Support to Law Students going for Law School from the District last Monday in Port Harcourt.
Photo: Chris Monyanaga.
President Goodluck Jonathan has extended sincere condolences to the wife, children and relatives of the former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe who died on Monday, October 28, 2013
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, yesterday. Jonathan commiserated with officers and men of the Nigerian Navy which Akhigbe once led as Chief of Naval Staff, and with the government and people of Edo on the passage.
He described Akhigbe as a “very courageous officer who patriotically served his nation to the best of his God-given abilities through-out a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces’’.
The president joined the Akhigbe’s family, colleagues and subordinates in the Nigerian Navy, friends, associates and all who knew him in mourning the former Chief of General Staff.
“President Jonathan believes that he will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all whose lives he touched positively during his long and remarkable career of national service in military commands and in the political offices he held as a military officer.
“The president believes that Akhigbe will be especially remembered and honoured by present and future generations for serving with distinction as military governor of Lagos and Ondo States.
“He will also be remembered for serving as Chief of General Staff in the military administration that midwifed the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria and began the commendable re-professionalisation of the Nigerian Armed Forces after decades of involvement in politics.’’
He said that the president prayed that God would comfort all who mourn Akhigbe and grant his soul eternal rest.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has expressed his shock and sadness over the death of former Chief of General Staff, retired Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described Akhigbe as a gentleman officer whose contributions, and that of his peers, towards restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 will remain indellible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
He said Nigerians will forever remain grateful to the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led regime which Akhigbe served as the Number Two officer, for their diligence and commitment to ensure the return of democracy to the country.
“As a proof of his commitment to democratic ideals, Akhigbe continued to render selfless services to the nation post-1999 until his death on Monday.
“Nigeria has lost one of it’s eminent sons. I extend my condolence to his family, Fugar community in Edo State, the Nigerian Navy and Nigerians as a whole,” the Speaker added.
Vice-President Namadi Sambo has commiserated with the family of the former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, describing his death as a great loss to the country’’.
Our correspondent reports Akhigbe died at the age of 68 in New York on Monday.
This information is contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Umar Sani, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sambo described the deceased as a disciplined military officer who rose to the peak of his profession by dint of hard work and commitment and served this nation selflessly.
“He was governor, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of General Staff to the military administration that ensured the smooth transition to a democratically elected government.
“As a statesman, his invaluable counsel will be greatly missed by us. Indeed, his loss is a sad and great loss to the country.’’
The vice-president prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for God Almighty to the give the family the courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Tambuwal also prayed to the Almighty God to give his family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
The Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday described the death of retired Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, as a loss of a brother, confidant, friend and comrade-at-arms.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Mark recalled their days at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), noting that “Mike was fearless and very diligent in our course.”
“He took these attributes to all the formations where he was privileged to have been posted either in his core military postings or political offices,” he said.
The statement also said the late Akhigbe’s death was a huge personal loss to Mark, the members of Course 3, the Armed Forces, Edo and the nation.
“But we cannot question God. He alone gives life and takes it when he so desires. We are bound by His decision to take our brother and friend at this time.”
Mark, who is the Chairman of Course 3 Alumni of the NDA, said: “We are consoled that while Mike was with us, he lived his life in the service of God and mankind.”
He prayed that God would grant the family the fortitude to bear the very painful departure.
Meanwhile, activities at the Western Naval Command and NNS Beecroft, at the Naval Base, Apapa, were low-keyed on Tuesday following the dead of former Chief of General Staff, Vice Adm. Mike Akhigbe (rtd).
Akhigbe, 68, who served under the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led military government between 1998 and 1999, died in New York, U.S. on Monday.
Our correspondent who visited the commands in Lagos yesterday observed that officers and ratings were looking sober over the demise of the admiral, who had also served as a one-time Chief of Naval Staff.
Some of the officers who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, expressed shock over his death.
“We lost an officer and a gentleman whose exemplary life is worthy of emulation by every officer who aspires to be an accomplished naval officer,” a Navy Captain said.
Our correspondent, however, could not reach the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, and some senior officers, as he was said to be on tour of some formations under his command— outside of Lagos.
Similarly, the Command’s Information Officer was also not available to comment on the development, as he was said to be on the FOC’s entourage.
Meanwhile, Commodore Kabir Aliyu, the Director of Naval Information, who confirmed the death of the admiral, expressed the condolences of the service to the Akhigbe family.
He described the late Admiral as an elder statesman whose contributions to national development would remain indelible.
Akhigbe was Military Governor of Ondo State between 1985 and 1986, and Lagos state governor from 1986 to 1988.
He served as Chief of General Staff in the Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar-led military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in Nigeria in 1999.
Akhigbe attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; the Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations, Dryad, Southwick, UK; Command and Staff College, Jaji; the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and the University of Poitiers, Rouan, France.
He was one-time the Principal Welfare Officer of the Nigerian Navy Flagship, NNS Aradu; Director, Naval Plans, Naval Headquarters; Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, and Chief of Naval Staff.
After his retirement from the Navy, Akhigbe went to read law and became an attorney with specialisation in Maritime and Real Estate Law. He was a seasoned businessman with substantial interest in real estate.
Akhigbe hailed from Fugar, headquarters of Etsako-central local government council of Edo.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi