Michael Okhai Akhigbe (1947-2013)

Born at Fugar, Edo State in 1945, Akhigbe attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations, Dryad, Southwick, UK; Command and Staff College, Jaji; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru and the University of Poitiers, Rouan, France. During the years of military in this country, he was the […]

Born at Fugar, Edo State in 1945, Akhigbe attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations, Dryad, Southwick, UK; Command and Staff College, Jaji; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru and the University of Poitiers, Rouan, France. During the years of military in this country, he was the Military Governor of Ondo State in 1985-86 and Military Governor of Lagos State in1986-88. His tenure in the two states was credited with dynamic efforts at improving socio-economic infrastructure. He held many other important posts in the Nigerian Navy including Principal Welfare Officer of the Nigeria Navy Flagship NNS Aradu, Director of Naval Plans, Naval Headquarters and Flag Officer Commanding [FOC], Eastern Naval Command, Lagos. He became Chief of Naval Staff during the Sani Abacha years. It was from this position that he was appointed the Chief of General Staff in 1998, the Number 2 position in the military government.
Even though the Abubakar regime was in charge for only 11 months, it changed the face of Nigeria indelibly from the dark days of the Abacha era. It released many political prisoners including those that were jailed for the 1995 and 1997 coup attempts against Abacha, the first one widely thought to be a phantom set up. The administration in which Akhigbe was second in command then did away from the Abacha transition that was pre-programmed to return the military ruler to power in civilian garbs and instead launched a credible transition program that culminated in a return to civilian rule in May 1999.
Akhigbe thereafter retired from the Navy and instead went into private business.  He became an attorney with specialization in maritime and real estate law as well as a businessman with substantial investments in real estate. He was also a distinguished leader of his home community, Fugar in Aviawu clan of Edo State. He was a holder of Nigeria’s second highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON.
Among those who paid tribute to the departed Akhigbe was Senate President David Mark, who was his course 3 mate at the Nigeria Defence Academy. In a statement on his behalf, Mark noted the former Navy officer “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.”
President Goodluck Jonathan described Akhigbe as “a coura-geous officer who patriotically served his nation to the best of his God-given abilities throughout a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces.” Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State called Akhigbe’s death a great loss to the state and the country, while retired Rear Admiral John Onoriode Kpokpogri, who once worked with Akhigbe, described his death as a colossal loss. Former ASUU President Professor Festus Iyayi, who himself was to die only days later, described Akhigbe as an unassuming but highly effective man in his lifetime. He said, “He was not boastful and so was not often in the public eye. We may not have agreed with his political commitments but he was very effective and delivered on his promises.”
These expressions of eulogy testify to Akhigbe’s stature and contribution to national development.
His death has again robbed this country of one of the men of experience and real commitment to its stability and political progress.