Augustus Aikhomu

{{short description|De facto vice president of Nigeria from 1986 to 1993}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Augustus Aikhomu

|honorific_prefix = Admiral

|image = Augustus Aikhomu.png

|width = 150px

|caption =

|office1 = 8th Vice President & Chief of General Staff

|president1 = Ibrahim Babangida {{small|as Military President of Nigeria}}

|term_start1 = October 1986

|term_end1 = August 1993

|predecessor1 = Ebitu Ukiwe

|successor1 = Oladipo Diya

|office2 = Chief of Naval Staff

|term_start2 = January 1984

|term_end2 = October 1986

|predecessor2 = Akintunde Aduwo

|successor2 = Patrick Koshoni

|birth_date = 20 October 1939

|death_date = {{death date and age|2011|8|17|1939|10|20|df=y}}

|spouse = Rebecca Aikhomu

|children = 5, including Mark

|alma_mater = Yaba College of Technology
Britannia Royal Naval College
NIPSS

|allegiance = {{flag|Nigeria}}

|branch = 23px Nigerian Navy

|serviceyears = 1958–1993

|rank = 25px Admiral

}}

Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu (20 October 1939 – 17 August 2011) was an Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, who served as the de facto Vice President of Nigeria under military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida from 1986 to 1993.{{cite web|title=Obaseki, Ighodalo, Others Attend 10th Memorial Anniversary Of Augustus Aikhomu|url=https://igberetvnews.com/1398192/obaseki-ighodalo-others-attend-10th-memorial-anniversary-augustus-aikhomu/|access-date=29 January 2023|website=igberetvnews.com}}

Early life

He hailed from Idumebo-Irrua, Edo State,{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/nigerians-react-as-admiral-augustus-aikhomu-dies-72/|date=17 August 2011|title=Nigerians react as Admiral Augustus Aikhomu dies @72|access-date=17 March 2022|work=Vanguard}} in southern Nigeria. As a student, Aikhomu spent various periods of his early life studying at Irrua Government School, Yaba College of Technology, Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth, England, Long Gunnery Specialist Course, India and the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Nigeria.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/69533/augustus-akhabue-aikhomu-1939-2011.html|title=Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu|work=The Nigerian Voice|date=9 September 2011|access-date=30 August 2024}}

Naval career

Aikhomu joined the Nigerian Navy on 1 December 1958. He joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice with Series 35 entry at HMS Fisgard near Torpoint, East Cornwall in January 1959. He was in Grenville Division at HMS Fisgard and would have completed his 16 months Part 1 training at the end of April 1960.

Aikhomu was the Commanding Officer, Shore Patrol Craft, commanding officer, NNS Dorina, chief of naval personnel, naval headquarters, chief of naval operations (1983–84), and chief of naval staff (1984–86).

Vice President and Chief of General Staff

Admiral Augustus served as the de facto Vice President of Nigeria under military president General Ibrahim Babangida from 1986 to 1993.{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201108181023.html|title=For Aikhomu, the Ship of Life Sails Into Sunset|access-date=30 August 2024|last=Obia|first=Vincentwork=This Day|date=18 August 2011|via=allAfrica}}

Later career

He was at a time the chairman of the Board of Trustees of All Nigeria Peoples Party, an opposition party in the country. Aikhomu contributed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital specializing in lassa fever management.{{cite web|title=Nigeria Centre for Disease Control|url=https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/144/ncdc-and-isth-begin-nationwide-training-lassa-fever-management|website=ncdc.gov.ng|access-date=28 May 2020}} He died on 17 August 2011, aged 71. Aikhomu is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and five children, Mark, Ehime, Eheje, Vinitha, Suzanne, and Ebi.

Honours

In 1992, a national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger was conferred upon him.

References

External links

{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/nigerians-react-as-admiral-augustus-aikhomu-dies-72/|title=Nigerians react as Admiral Augustus Aikhomu dies @72|date=18 August 2011|work=Vanguard|access-date=14 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200115051544/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/nigerians-react-as-admiral-augustus-aikhomu-dies-72/|archive-date=15 January 2020}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165027/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/08/12/20010812news04.html Those Who May Replace Obasanjo]

Category:1939 births

Category:2011 deaths

Category:Vice presidents of Nigeria

Category:Nigerian Navy admirals

Category:Graduates of Britannia Royal Naval College

Category:People from Edo State

Category:Members of the Nigerian National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies

Category:Chiefs of Naval Staff (Nigeria)

Category:Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger