Aikhomu: Daniel mourns, Atiku calls him  an embodiment of humility

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of former Vice President Augustus Aikhomu is another great loss to Nigeria, considering the deceased’s nation-building roles while he served the country.

Atiku said in a statement in Abuja by his media office that Aikhomu’s  contributions to the stability of the country cannot be forgotten so soon.

He said Aikhomu was such a detribalized gentleman who combined that with humility and joviality. “He was accessible to almost all Nigerians while he was in office,” Atiku said.   

In the words of Atiku Abubakar, “the late Aikhomu had demystified public office to a point public office was no long feared or considered a no-go area for the citizens in a strictly military environment.”

Former Vice President Abubakar recalled that during his public life, the late Aikhomu kept away from controversy, speaking only when it was necessary.

He said Aikhomu performed his job faithfully without fishing for publicity while doing so, saying that this is a rare quality among those exposed to the trappings of power.

According to him, Aikhomu was team player, a quality that  had endeared him to many. “We haven’t seen much of him in the recent years, but on the few occasions we met, he was very lively and jovial and it was a real pleasure to see him in spite of the cancer that ravaged him from within.”

He prayed for the repose of his soul and for strength to the family to bear the loss.

In a related development ,former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has described the death of the former chief of General Staff; Admiral Augustus Aikhomu as a great loss to the nation at a time when his stabilizing role in  the polity was most needed. Otunba Daniel who was reacting to the demise of the former vice president under General Ibrahim Babangida   said Admiral Aikhomu paid his dues and worked for the greater glory of Nigeria in different capacity where fate placed him.

“In his life time Admiral Aikhomu was an epitome of service to the fatherland and wherever the duty to the nation took him he gave his best and showed example of loyalty, patriotism and courage. He was also a firm believer in the Nigerian project. As Chief of General staff and later vice President Admiral Aikhomu contributed his quota to the development of the nation and was a stabilizing force at some of Nigeria’s difficult moments. His family should take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and left behind a worthy legacy. We will all miss Admiral Aikhomu who was a fine officer, peace builder,  patriot and elder statesman,” Otunba Daniel said in the statement.

Advertising