Eminent Nigerians, including the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji
Fashola (SAN), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah
and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, on Friday paid their
last respect to the late Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle.
A former military governor of the state. Brigadier Mobolaji
Johnson (rtd), while speaking at the burial service, held in honour of
Adekunle, called for his immortalisation
Top officials and retired military personnel of the Nigeria Air Force,
Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Army also paid tributes to the civil war
hero, popularly known as the “Black Scorpion.”
At the funeral service, which took place at Tafawa Balewa Square in
Lagos on Friday, the Nigerian Army accorded the late Adekunle a full
military burial
The remains of the late army chief were later buried at the Ikoyi
Vaults and Gardens with family members and other Nigerians bidding farewell to
him.
General Johnson, while speaking at the service, said that the late army
chief’s boldness and efforts brought an end to the civil war.
He said, “We have been very close friends over the years, the army would
miss him because people like Adekunle don’t come twice in the lifetime of a
nation.”
The former Lagos State military governor added that “He played his part
and he would be remembered for a long time when they write the history of
Nigeria. Talk about the civil war, you can’t but talk about Adekunle,” he said.
Johnson added that “he played his part very well, books are being
written now and they must just mention him. The nation would have to decide on
that one, so when they write the history of Nigeria and the civil war in
particular, they cannot but talk about him in flying colours. Benji is going to
be missed by a lot by a lot of us.
“We all who are close to him are missing him greatly. He was a rare gem
who loved his country and he was nicknamed Black Scorpion because of his
agility in the army,” the former military governor said.
The senator representing Oyo Central, Ayo Adeseun, also called for the
immortalisation of the retired general, who reportedly brought an end to the
civil war in Nigeria
He suggested that military installations in the country should be named
after him as a mark of honour for his contributions to the Nigerian Army and
the country.
The senator said: “We have some major military installation that have
been named after military men who never went to war. A major military
installation should be named after him. He was also a patriotic Nigerian.”
He added that “he served his country with everything he had. He was
devoted to his country, children and community but it was unfortunate the
country does not celebrate its heroes.”
The lawmaker added that “the government should start doing so. Any
society that fails to celebrate heroes will perish. If you serve your country,
you should be recognised for your service. “