I am still in a state of despair…disbelief and innate pain on the loss of one of the best breed from the Nigerian Navy extraction…he was a mentor and a gift to Nigeria…there are breeds and there can be found one so polished and indeed called a “true breed”…I met Daniel Ikoli again in 1978 at the Nigeria Military School Zaria…he was my senior but remarkably…we’re from similar extraction…I from the Army family and he from the Navy family! I looked up to him as my senior for mentoring…most importantly for protection…(having attended the same Primary School – Command Children School Yaba Lagos in the early 70’s) I was dead wrong regarding protection!He never spared me and he passed that message to his juniors…”you’re in for a very rough ride”…he was “small” in stature but blessed with the heart of a STEEL!! He was EVERYWHERE!! Very pronounced and highly disciplined!! The above qualities on MERIT earned him the exalted rank of a PROVOST in ECHO COMPANY! It came to no one as a surprise…he carried himself with dignity and his aura commanded respect all over Nigeria Military School! I knew this “breed” is made for our exalted NAVY…Yes Oga Ikoli went to the Nigeria Defence Academy where he truly belonged to the CRACKS! He was a CRACK CADET…during one of his visits…We surrounded the “PRIDE” and we listened to him attentively… he encouraged us… to gear up for the Academy and there was more to gain and nothing to fear! It was Crack Cadet Ikoli speaking and WE His juniors believed him…he had earned his mark and respect and we knew he saw MEN OF STEEL IN US as he himself is made of STEEL! He graduated from NDA and followed the line of his father by joining the Navy as a Crack Naval Officer and a gentleman with a “distinct” voice! He distinguished himself and rose over the years to the enviable rank of a Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy…A 2 Star General! When I heard of his promotion to the rank of REAR ADMIRAL…I said the Nigerian Navy is now blessed with a CRACK GENERAL!! A man refined and made of STEEL! I said one day…maybe one day…Admiral Ikoli will head our Navy…but his younger brother…my boyhood friend…coursemate…Commander Bomo Ikoli (Rtd) broke the news to us his juniors…”he’s gone”…I went into a deep frenzy…Oga Daniel Ikoli is gone? I am still mourning the deep loss of my own…It’s one pain that’ll linger on for a long time…I’d miss you sir…your boys will seriously miss you sir…your family will miss you sir…the Nigerian Navy will miss you and Nigeria will miss you sir! Sail on Admiral Daniel Ikoli…THE SEA GENERAL!!! The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh…blessed be His Holy Name…May the Soul of Rear Admiral Teikumo Daniel Ikoli rest in peace amen! It was a great privilege and honour to have served under you sir!! You’d continue to live in the heart of those who knew you and shall never be forgotten as long as we live…ahuaaa sir!!

***Late Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli before his demise was the FLEET COMMANDER WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY***