“Life can also have its moments, so my aunty not only married my uncle many years ago but also placed her father’s house right opposite my dad’s house in Ankpa.”
Aunty Mallama smiles a warm, hearty smile. She has joined all the other aunts in prayer. She stands tall and beautiful as always, a true pride for our family. She is the rock behind a special man, my uncle. It is to her eternal pride that my son is getting married. Aunty Mallama is my favourite aunt. Well loved. Kind and warm-hearted. I cannot remember any event I have had in the last couple of years in my immediate family where she would not be in attendance, from my 60th birthday two years ago to my son’s wedding a few years before then. She is always waiting to give you that much-needed hug. Life can also have its moments, so my aunty not only married my uncle many years ago but also placed her father’s house right opposite my dad’s house in Ankpa.
We sit in Okura, my husband and I, right opposite Aunty, a doting grandma, with tears just beneath her lovely eyes. We had worked into a mammoth crowd earlier, thronging a house with all the apartments of an admiral, a symbolic ship at the entrance, and a flag in the corner. There are people everywhere, and it has been like this for the last eight days. Admiral Ibrahim Ogohis country home is besieged by his community, the people he loved the most and who loved him right back. Aunty Mallama is in the upper chambers, receiving scores of visitors who have come to commiserate with her on the passing of her husband.
Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi. A true professional, the Nigerian Navy’s pride, and one of my favourite uncles. My aunt’s eyes light up as we walk in. We greet each other. She is worn out but holding up. She flashes her signature smile. She flutters while masking the pain of his passing. But her eyes tell the story of her grief, cloudy in most parts but steady in her gaze. You can tell she is telling herself she needs to be strong. My other aunt, Aunty Rose, sits with her, providing steady support. There are grandchildren, in-laws, and her children dotting the upper chambers. It’s difficult to believe that Admiral Ogohis towering presence has left our planes. But we believe in God.
This visit is to honour him. To sit with my aunt and the children at his eighth-day prayer. We look out as far as the eyes can see, and the crowd is not abating. His legacy is assured.
On the day he passed, the National Mosque in Abuja had the same ambience. The Governor of Kogi State, H.E. Usman Ododo, led a delegation to the prayers before his departure for home. The current chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Ogalla, and the former chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Jibrin, and a score of top military officers past and serving came to pay their respect. An illustrious son had departed. It was our duty to show up. There were ministers, top government functionaries, friends, family, respected sons, daughters of Igala land, respected sons, and daughters of Igala land. A family friend said to me,Look at this meeting Uncle Ogohi has called. It brought tears to my eyes. He had touched so many people that they all came to pay their respects. It was touching to see, and it brought tears to my eyes.
Uncle Ibrahim Ogohi was one of the leading lights in Igala as we grew. His name was never far from my father’s lips. He spoke about him with glowing pride. One of his own went to conquer the world.
An alumnus of St. John’s College Kaduna, now Rimi College, he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy as a 4th regular course in 1967. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970. He had his training in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, specialising in underwater warfare. The late Admiral Ogohi held several command positions in the Nigerian navy, including, among others, Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Yola, Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ships Otobo and Dorina, Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Ekun, and Naval Provost Marshal. He was also the commanding officer of the Nigerian navy ship Anansa.
The late Admiral was a director of staff at the National War College (now National Defence College, Abuja), Director of Administration, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and went on to become Deputy Commandant of the armed forces command staff college, later becoming chief of policy and plans for navy headquarters before being appointed Flag Officer Western Naval Command. Admiral Ogohi served as a member of the provisional ruling council. He became Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff in 1999 and was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in 2000 and Admiral in 2001. He retired meritoriously as an admiral in 2003 after 33 years of distinguished service to his nation.
A distinguished fellow of the National War College and a fellow of the United States War College, he was decorated with a Force service star, a meritorious service star, and a distinguished service star. Admiral Ogohi was conferred with the commander of the order of the Federal Republic CFR by President Olusegun Obasanjo. A stellar career of a distinguished professional, a master strategist, and a thoroughbred citizen.
In the midst of his towering career, he found time for his family, friends, and community. A much-loved father, husband, and dotting grandfather, he never failed to ask after us all.
The last time I saw him, he was his jocular self, treating me like my teenage self and trying to buy me fuel. I am a grandmother now, I said to him. He burst into laughter and ordered my husband to order me to collect his gift, lest he be angry.
I tell Aunty Mallama. Uncle was a great man. She responds with a knowing smile. Yes, he was, she says. All these eight days, people have not stopped coming.
We salute my uncle for inspiring us all. We would miss him, but we cannot argue with God. My aunty has lost her husband, her friend, and her confidant; we have lost one of the Navy’s finest, a Nigerian hero. Our hearts go out to the service chiefs, particularly the navy.
Thank you, Aunty Mallama, for being there at all times and for standing solidly when he fell ill. God bless and honour you… Amen. We thank all his children, in-laws, friends, and family members for holding his hand through this. We thank the children, our in-laws, and friends for holding his hand through these times. God bless you mightily.
May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss. Amen.
