The Federal Government Wednesday named Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba as the head of Presidential Committee on the burial arrangement of former Chief of General staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe.
To serve on the committee are Works Minister, Mike Onolememen, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, representatives of Edo government, family of Late Akhigbe, Inspector General of Police, Director General State Security Service (SSS), and that of the office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
Briefing newsmen on the burial plans, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, said Akhigbe will begin final journey home with the lying in state and service of songs at NNS QUORRA, Naval Base, Apapa on November 20th, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.
On November 21 at 10 a.m. there will be Requiem Mass at Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi while the family and the remains of Akhigbe will depart for Fugar with a stopover at Government House, Benin on November 22.
Also, there will be a lying in state at his residence, The Anchorage, 1 Okhai Akhigbe Way Fugar and Christian and social wake-keep at same venue on same date.
At St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Fugar, there will be a funeral service to be followed by interment at his residence and later a reception at St. John’s College, Fugar on November 23rd.
On Sunday November 24th, there will be outing service at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Fugar.
Anyim therefore, enjoined the committee to ensure a befitting and hitch-free burial for the former Number Two man in the country.
The SGF recalled that “His life was dedicated to the service of our beloved country, first as a fine military officer, whose exemplary conduct in the discharge of his duties, and in the various positions that he occupied, endeared him to many.
“Outside of his military career, he made immeasurable contributions on the political landscape and to our political development, culminating in the enthronement of the present political dispensation. He also made positive marks in the organised private sector, especially after his retirement from public service.
“As we mourn his painful demise with utmost sympathy to the bereaved family, let me also use this medium to assure you that the federal and state governments as well as his military constituency will be adequately represented at the final burial rites. We also urge all individuals and professional groups whose lives and interests were touched in one way or the other by our departed statesman, to be part of the burial ceremonies, as we pay late Admiral Akhigbe our last respects”.
