Different dignitaries in Nigeria gathered in Lagos on Wednesday to pay their last respects to the late Vice Admiral Michael Akhigbe, former Chief of the General Staff (CGS), who died in the United States on October 28.

The deceased, aside being the nation's military vice-president between 1998 and 1999, was chief of naval staff.

Present at the service of songs heralding the funeral rites, hosted by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, were dignitaries like Senate President David Mark, his wife Josephine; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, his wife, Abimbola;   Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim and Senator Chris Ngige.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas; Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd); former Chiefs of Naval Staff; Vice Admirals Akin Aduwo, Jubril Ayinla and Samuel Afolayan, were also present.

In his tribute, Mark, who was a mate of the deceased at the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), described the late Akhigbe as fearless in his quest for justice.

He said: "This is a huge personal loss for us. Our friendship started on our first day at the NDA in 1967 and we became inseparable and confidants till he passed on.
"I nicknamed him NNS Fearless because he was indeed fearless and patriotic. He was witty, magnetic, kind and a man of excellence. He would be missed."

In his tribute, Fashola said: "Although I did not share the same kind of relationship the deceased had with the Senate president, his legacy lives on.

"I was still an undergraduate when Vice Admiral Akhigbe was the military administrator of Lagos but today I occupy the State House and the helicopter pad he built in Ikeja.

"He was ahead of us in terms of seeing the future and today I salute the service of a patriot who served his people and his country with all his power."

Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased's son, Ikhane, described his father as a man who showed excellence and put value on people despite their social background.

He said: "We take solace because he left an unblemished record of excellence and I'm sure he would expect us to tow that path. I tell my mum to take heart because her husband was a good man.

"We do not cry because he told us not to. According to him, death is just the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. He told us to rather live up to the legacy he left behind."
Akhigbe, alongside his wife of 39 years, Josephine, raised their five children-Ikhane, Iretekhai, Azilomhe, Ochuwa and Oshioze.

The deceased who was also a grandfather to Uduokhai, Esiemokhai and Uwekhai, was a recipient of numerous domestic and international awards among them the Meritous Service Star (MSS), the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) amongst several others.

The final interment of the late Akhigbe would take place on Saturday at his family residence in Fugar, Edo State.