Society Gists

Profoundly pained by the death of Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu (rtd), Capt Hosa Okunbo, the billionaire philanthropist, businessman and founder of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, has penned a heartfelt tribute in honour of a man he fondly calls ‘My Joe’.

Titled ‘To Admiral Joe Aikhomu, with Love’, Capt writes, “They say sixty-five is too early a time to leave. I agree. But, I also know that God knows best and his decision cannot be questioned. It is such a pain to write this elegy to you. You were a dependable ally, a friend for all seasons and a partner in business. You have shown many how to live and demonstrated that just one year is more than enough to make an impact of a lifetime.”

He continues, “In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, ‘Death is the dropping of the flower that the fruit may swell.’ Forever, your fruit here on earth will remain because you were indeed an officer and a gentleman. Sleep well my Joe, my own Joe.”

Alas, death snatched the former Chief of Naval Administration last Thursday in Abuja allegedly from Covid-19 complications, leaving behind an inconsolable family, friends and associates. He was 65.

The late Aikhomu was a younger brother to former military Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) and a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari during his first tenure.