..Says: Edo Has Lost A True Son
From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
Many Nigerians are currently in a mourning mood over the passage of former Chief of Naval Administration, retired Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu, who died of COVID-19 complications, Thursday.
The Edo State-born Aikhomu who hails from Esan, died at the age of 65 in Abuja.
Many security intelligence experts who are familiar with naval operations and tactics on Nigeria’s territorial waters and around the Gulf of Guinea have described Aikhomu as Nigeria’s finest naval officer ever, following the immense capacity, skills, craftsmanship and dedication he displayed throughout his meritorious years in military service.
Aikhomu, who was considered as a mobile encyclopedia on maritime operations in the Gulf of Guinea during his lifetime successfully controlled the once crime-ridden Calabar waters which hitherto, were unsafe for trans-border trade between Nigeria and some Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), especially Cameroon.
The deceased, who was the younger brother to Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd), a former Vice President to General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was until his death, chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS), a company his late brother founded with businessman Captain Hosa Okunbo.
He was also a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 set up by President Muhammadu Buhari during his first tenure.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki while paying tributes to late Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu on Friday, described the deceased as his “good friend and great supporter”, adding that Edo has lost a son.
“I received the news of the passing of former Chief of Naval Administration and Chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS) with shock and sadness,” said Obaseki.
“Admiral Aikhomu was a good friend and great supporter. An unrelenting patriot, the late Admiral was a fine, well cultured and disciplined naval officer, who was a symbol of hard work, diligence and forthrightness. We have lost a true Edo son.” Obaseki said.
