The children of the late Lt-Col Ochigbo who died in the June 3, Dana Plane Crash have been adopted by Senate President David Mark.
The late military officer held his last duty post as the Commanding Officer, 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Abak , Akwa Ibom State. He was laid to rest at the weekend in his hometown, Oturkpo, Benue State.
Mark, a retired Brig-G, announced the gesture at the burial where, in a tribute, he described the deceased as an officer and a gentleman.
His words: “Lt. Col Jumbo Ochigbo was clearly an officer and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was passionate about the development of the Nigerian Army. He was an intelligent young man with a very bright future who conducted himself in an exemplary manner.”
He counselled the bereaved family and the Nigerian Army to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation. He pledged to train the children to university level.
In his tribute, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, said the late Ochigbo would be greatly remembered for his gallantry, good sense of purpose and selfless service to the country.
In the tribute read on his behalf, Ihejirika said: “He was a worthy son of Nigeria, an officer and a gentleman. His calling is beyond man’s ability and imagination.”
Minister of Interior Abba Morro said Ochigbo lived a short but eventful life and impacted positively on the society.
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who had earlier paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Otukpo, described the late Ochigbo as a very committed officer who would be missed.