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Born on September 29, 1946, in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Akhigbe was educated at Afenmai Anglican Grammar School, Igarra from 1961-65. He joined the Nigerian Navy in 1967 and was at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from 1967-69. In 1974, Akhigbe was at the Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations, Dryad, Southwick, United Kingdom. The deceased had a Diploma in French Studies, 1979, and Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy, 1980. He was the Principal Welfare Officer, NNS Aradu, 1980-82; Staff and Command College, Jaji, 1982-83; Director of Personnel, Naval Headquarters, 1983-85; Commanding Officer, NNS Obuma, February-August 1985; Military Governor, Ondo State, 1985-86; Lagos State, 1986-88 and Commander of Naval College, 1988-89. He was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, 1989 and University of Poitiers, Rouan, France. He retired from the Nigerian Navy in 1999 after several years of meritorious service to his fatherland. Later, he read law and was called to the Nigerian Bar. As a lawyer, Akhigbe practised property and maritime law. In recognition of his numerous services to the nation, the deceased was bestowed with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), in 1998 and awarded honorary doctorate degree by the University of Benin in 2003. His military decorations include Force Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, and Defence Service Star. Akhigbe will be remembered for his numerous services to the nation, especially his role during the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999 when he was the Chief of General Staff to Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd). It is regrettable, also, that the nation has continued to lose some of its prominent citizens in foreign hospitals due to the parlous state of our health care delivery system. Government should do something urgently to stem the tide. It is time the nation’s health sector is improved. Some of the ailments that Nigerians travel to treat abroad can be promptly diagnosed and properly managed at home if the health sector is in order. We mourn with the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Navy to which the deceased officer rendered many decades of dedicated service. We commiserate with the Akhigbe family, the people of Edo State, his military associates and friends, and the entire nation on this great loss. May God grant his soul sweet repose. HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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