By DADA AYOKHAI
The ancient town of Fugar, also the administrative headquarter of Etsako Central local government area, has been thrown into mourning following the death of one of its most illustrious sons, Mr J. D. Akhigbe.
The late Joseph Akhigbe, who passed on at the age of 89, was a renowned community and opinion leader and also a former councilor.
He was the elder brother to the late Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, a former Chief of General Staff, CGS, to the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Reactions to his death have also been swift, with many individuals and groups sending condolence messages to the grieving family.
Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, a former two-time deputy governor of Edo State and also a prominent citizen of Fugar, was among the first to react to the news of the death of Chief Joseph Akhigbe.
In his condolence message to the Akhigbe family, Chief Oghiadomhe extolled the virtues of the late Chief Akhigbe, describing him as a reputable teacher of men who left his marks on the sands of time.
He also recalled how he brought these virtues into the discharge of his duties as a Councillor, noting he would be most remembered as “a great Fugar son who came, saw, impacted, and also stooped to conquer”.
He said, “I woke up this morning with the news of the passage of Chief J. D. Akhigbe at the age of 89. He was a man imbued with every virtue of greatness. He lived a simple and dignified life worthy of emulation. On behalf of my family and the entire Fugar Progressive Union, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and the entire Fugar community on the passage of a colossus”.
Chief Oghiadomhe also prayed for the repose of his soul.
