GCUOBA mourns late Joe Aikhomu

Lagos Chapter of Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), yesterday, commiserated with the family of the late Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu (rtd), who died recently at 65.

A statement signed by its President, Sam Omatseye, disclosed that until his death, Aikhomu was an active member of the Lagos branch of GCUOBA.

“He enrolled at Government College, Ughelli in 1971. In school, Aikhomu was an all rounder, talented sportsman and member of the School’s Elite Cadet Unit. His involvement in the unit laid the foundation for his successful military career, which spanned over 30 years.

“The late Aikhomu was imbued with the tenets of GCU and he carried on with these attributes in life after school. In and out of service, his commitment to GCUOBA’s activities never wavered. 

“In all his active years, he continued to fly the School’s flag, as it is said in GCU’s parlance. His accomplishments in service were legendary and commendable,” he said.

He explained that he was Flag Office Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command and Chief of Administration, Nigerian Navy and restored sanity to 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 Cameroun.

Omatseye pointed out that beyond Nigeria, Aikhomu distinguished himself in the ECOMOG West Africa peacekeeping operations to the United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission.

He was also a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015. Aikhonu was considered a mobile encyclopedia on maritime operations and logistics in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region. Until his death, he was Chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS).

“Last year, we gathered to celebrate his 65th birthday and the conferment of a traditional title on him for his contributions to the development of Esanland. His dedication was so profound that everyone loved him.

“As we mourn his passing, we pray for the repose of his soul and for God Almighty to comfort members of his family. He will be sorely missed by the executive and members of the branch,” the statement added.