Benin City – As part of efforts to immortalize one of the bravest naval officers in Nigeria, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, the University of Benin Alumni association (UBAA), yesterday renamed a 1000 capacity Lecture hall after the former Chief of Staff to the then military head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar rtd, at a brief event held during the association’s 15th Biennial General Assembly (BGA) in Benin.
The hall which was named, the “Alumni 1000 Lecture Theater Mike Akhigbe Hall”, was proclaimed by the President of the Alumni Association, Hon Ifaluyi Isibor.
Speaking at the renaming of the lecture hall, the President of the association, Hon Ifaluyi Isibor noted that the building of hall could not have been possible without the magnanimity of Adm. Akhigbe, adding that he contributed immensely to the building of the lecture theater.
Hon Isibor further acknowledge that the donations made by the fmr Vice president showed his love for the association and the institution respectively.
Also speaking a past President of the association, Osa Ikhuero said the late Admiral Akhigbe was an exceptional character, hence the need to immortalize him.
According to him “We decided to build this hall to reduce the stress students go through while schooling and the late Admiral Akhigbe came in after many thought we couldn’t have invited him all the way from Abuja to Benin, but he came and donated the sum of 5million naira, which was a lot at that time and he also talked to then Head of state to donate 10million naira to us”.
Speaking on behalf of the Admiral Akhigbe’s family the younger brother of Admiral Akhigbe, Engr Edward Akhigbe thanked the association for recognition of his late brother even in death, who claimed was a mentor and confidant.
He said the good works of his late brother could not be over emphasized, as the Lecture hall was one of the many gestures he showed to others while still alive.
Engr Akhigbe stated that his late brother shared a special bond with the university, while recalling that his first Honorary doctorate degree was given to him by the University of Benin, after previous attempts by other institutions to honour him with the title.
