Early years
AIKHOMU was born on October 1939 in Irrua-Ishan, Okpebho in Edo State. He began his early education at Irrua Government School in Edo State, after which he attended Yaba Technical Institute (now Yaba College of Technology), 1954-1958. He attended the Higher College, Yaba, after which he proceeded to the Royal Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth in England. He further attended the Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon, England; Long Gunnery Specialist Course, India, 1969-70; Defence Services Staff Course, Wellington, India, 1973 and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in 1982
.
Naval Career
He joined the Nigerian Navy on December 1,1958; commissioned Sub-Lieutenant, Nigerian Navy in 1964; Lieutenant, 1967. The late Admiral was thereafter elevated to the post of Commander in 1974 and later Captain in 1977. He was promoted Commanding Officer in-Shore Patrol Crafts. From 1974 to 1975, he was the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Donna. Commanding Officer, NNS Nigeria (now NNS Obuma), then the Flag Ship, 1975-78; Flag Officer Commanding, Flotilla, 1978-80; Navy Commodore, 1980; Chief of Personnel, Naval Headquarters, 1980-83; Chief of Naval Operations, 1983-84; Rear-Admiral, May I, 1984; Chief of Naval Staff: 1984-86.
Government and Politics
He doubled as Chief of General Staff and Vice President between 1986 and 1993. On October 1987, Aikhomu became a Vice-Admiral, October 1987 and also a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council in 1986. In 1987, he was made chairman of the National Boundary Commission. Passed Staff College, 1973; Nigerian Alliance Assurance Corporation Limited; Regency Alliance Insurance Plc; he was a member of the National Institute, 1982 and a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, 1988. He was decorated with national honours such as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, in 1992; Forces Service Staff (fss); Steering Committee, United Nigeria Democratic Party. Naval officer, former chief of general staff and Vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; politician, businessman. Until his death, he was chairman, Board of Trustees, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
Apart from the infrastructures he brought to his people , he facilitated the appointment of very many Esan military governors . Some of them include Oyakhire, Navy Commander Abulu, military administration of Anambra State, Fidelis Oyakhilome, Air Vice Marshal Agbonene, former military Governor of Cross Rivers state. Gen. Godwin Abbe former military administration of Lagos state and Admiral Mike Akhigbe. He was instrumental to these appointments Saturday Vanguard learnt. He was also instrumental to the appointment of Prof.Emovon as Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia as Chairman National Sports Commission and Railway Commission and AVM Okpere as Minister of Aviation.
Saturday Vanguard further learnt that in order to further empower his people, he tactically supported Chief Tom Ikimi to become the National Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Married to Rebecca Madojemu in 1967, he leaves behind two sons and four daughters
He has done well for himself indeed