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Tag: Olusegun Agagu

  • Ondo mourns Agagu, Mimiko, Akeredolu react

    Ondo state and its people were thrown into mourning on Saturday  following the death of the former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

    Residents particularly in Akure,the state capital and Ikale land in Okitipupa where the former political hailed from  discussed the incident in hushed tones.

    Specifically, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has described his death as a rude shock.

    Scores of PDP members stormed the party secretariat located at Oyemekun road in Akure to mourn the former governor as early as 8.am

    A condolence register was opened in his honour for members of the PDP and other sympathisers to comment on his death.

    The State Chairman of the party, Ebenezer Alabi, described the death of former Governor Agagu as a rude shock and a great loss to Nigeria as a country.

    The PDP chairman said that the party would miss his advice and great contribution to the PDP at the National level. Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has expressed great shock and disbelief  at the news of the  death of former Governor Of the  state, Dr Olusegun Agagu.

    In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Dr Mimiko described the death as most  unfortunate and  hard to believe.

    The statement read and I quote “This news, to say the least, is most shocking and very hard to believe. It is most unfortunate and indeed a great loss.” The brief statement read.

    Mimiko prayed God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who eulogized Agagu on his achievements during his tenure as the governor of the state said death is a necessary end.

    Akeredolu, in a statement issued by him said he was devastated by the news of Agagu’s death.

    The statement reads,  “Dr Agagu’s tenure as Governor in Ondo State witnessed several significant strides. Many of us are living witnesses to the great achievements recorded under this sound academic and politician. Many of our rural areas were opened up in a manner hitherto unimaginable. The riverine communities effectively got re integrated into the  state.

    “The visionary leader, whose administration arguably ranks next to the unforgettable golden era of the state under the sage, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was also reputed for politics without bitterness. He was urbane, resouceful, genial and frank. There are indelible imprints of his tenure in virtually every nook and cranny of the state. Most of the buildings standing in public schools in the state bear eloquent testimony to his vision. It is
    regrettable that he passed on at this time when his invaluable input is badly needed in the state.

    “Death is a necessary end. It will come at the appointed time. Certain passages are, however, remarkable. It is true that the death of any person diminishes mankind. When a man of quality like Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu departs, the vacuum created becomes more pronounced.

    “I send my heart-felt condolences to the immediate family of our departed leader. I must also commiserate with the people of Ondo State for the unwanted visits of this morbid messenger with attendant losses. This death coming  after the transition of Omo Ekun, Wunmi Adegbonmire, is one too many for our state”.

    Also, a former governorship candidate of defunct Action Congress (AC) in 2007 general election, Prince Ademola Adegoroye said the state has lost is meticulous governor since its creation.

    He described the deceased as a superb administrator prudent.

    His words, “I rarely slept all night after hearing the devastating news of Dr.Agagu’s demise. Superb Administrator , Prudent Manager of resources and highly cerebral technocrat.Ondo State has lost probably, its most painstaking, and meticulous governor since its creation.

    “He had integrity and fulfilled his promises and commitments to others, worked hard and played hard. In the coming days, I hope to express myself fully on my personal knowledge and experiences of this departed gentleman.

    ” I commiserate with Auntie Funke and the kids on this untimely incident. May the good lord bless and accept Dr. Segun Agagu’s soul”.

    Akure lawyer and Rights Activist, Charles Titiloye described him as “a man that mean many things to many people”.

    Titiloye said “To us in the human rights community, we respect him for his tolerance of criticism and opposition to policies of his Government. He bears no grudge for your criticism but try to make amendment where possible.

    “He sees intellectual as partners while in government and have deep respect for professionals. He shapes his government policy on Ideas and did not deceive or pretend on the direction of policy his Government. He may not be fast in taking decisions but very calculating and is indeed a respectable gentleman”.

  • Tinubu mourns Agagu

    Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of  Dr. Olusegun Agagu, former governor of Ondo State who died in Lagos on Friday.

    In a press statement, Tinubu said Agagu’s death is a blow to the renewed struggle to bring sanity back into our body politic.

    “I received with utmost shock and sadness the news of the death of former Governor Olusegun Agagu. Once again the cold hands of death have snatched an illustrious man of great character and devotion to country.  Agagu was a good man,  a bridge builder who never let the bitterness of defeat or politiical disagreements rob him of his patriotic spirit”.

    Asiwaju described Agagu as a man with a noble heart and a politician who placed national interest above self interest.

    ” Over the years since he exited power, he has worked tirelessly traversing Ondo State, Lagos and the whole country seeking to forge a new democratic front for his people.  His death will slow down this new movement but certain that others will pick up from where he stopped “. Tinubu stated.

    In condoling with the people of Ondo State and Agagu’s immediate and extended family, Tinubu urged  politicians and other public office holders to always remember the day of reckoning, when according to him,  only their records will speak for them, in their dealings with the public.

    He said Agagu had completed his tour of duty on earth, and had gone back to his creator, adding that it behoved the living who are also in public office to make the society better than they met it.

    While condoling with the Agagus and the late governor’s political associates, he prayed that the courage to bear the great loss would not leave them now, adding that God receive the soul of the dead and grant him eternal rest.

  • Mark, NBA, others pay tribute to Late Agagu

    Senate President David Mark on Saturday mourned the death of former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, whom he described as a dependable ally.

    Mark said in a condolence message that the former minister was a trust worthy and mature politician who played politics without bitterness.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark noted that the deceased neither pretended nor shied away from saying the truth no matter the circumstances.

    “As a minister, Agagu distinguished himself as a goal-geter. As the then executive governor of Ondo, he recorded impressive outing as a performing governor.

    “As a political leader he gave his people a sense of belonging,” Mark said.

    The senate president pointed out that Agagu would be remembered as a political leader who brought his people into the mainstream politics of Nigeria without compromising their interests.

    He sympathised with the government and people of Ondo, especially the bereaved family, saying that Nigeria had lost one of her best politicians.

    Similarly, the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in its condolence message said the deceased had made positive contributions as a leader and teacher.

    Chairman of the branch, Taiwo Taiwo, told NAN in Lagos that Agagu had made positive impact in the lives of many Nigerians when he lectured at the University of Ibadan (UI).

    Taiwo said: “It is a very great loss and may his soul rest in peace. As governor of Ondo state, he made his mark and did his best towards impacting the state positively.

    “He was very known in his profession as a geologist and he taught many students at the UI.”

    Also, a human rights activist, Fred Agbaje, said Agagu had brought his intellectual prowess into politics.

    “One can only commiserate with his family. He brought his intellectual background on politics.

    “He never saw politics as a game of do or die. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.

    In his tribute, Mr Wale Ogunade, President, Voters Awareness Initiative, an NGO, said Agagu’s demise should serve as a lesson to all politicians.

    “He too has come, he has played his part and he is gone. I just want to pray that God will grant him eternal rest.

    “The only lesson here is that whenever you have an opportunity to serve humanity, do it right because you will go back to your maker one day,” Ogunade said.

    In Ibadan, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin, son of late Michael Ajasin, leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), told NAN on phone that the news of the exit of Agagu came to him as shock.

    “I am still in shock over the death of Dr Agagu, whose news of his sudden death filtered in,” he said, adding that the deceased was his personal friend.

    Mr Gbenga Alegbeleye, Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC) and former chairman House of Representatives Committee of Sports, also described the death of Agagu as a rude shock.

    “The news of his exit is shocking to me. He was a good leader, a brilliant man and I know that everybody will miss him,” he said.

    Similarly, Mr Bashiru Olanrewaju, the Oyo state NLC Chairman, said Nigeria has lost a brilliant and intelligent man.

    “We have lost a brilliant man and his record at Geology Department of University of Ibadan is there for any body to see,” he said.

    He added that Agagu’s exit would create a vacuum in the nation’s academic community.

    Mr Akin Abinuomo, a former chairman, Akoko South/East Local Government Council of Ondo state during Agagu’s tenure, said the deceased was a good leader whose death would be felt by the PDP in the state.

    “Dr Agagu was a brilliant man, good leader of the people and motivator for the party in that part of the country.” he said.

    He noted that Agagu’s death would affect the fortune of the party in the state, saying “he was a rock of Gibraltar to PDP in Ondo state”.

    NAN reports that Agagu, a former minister of Aviation and that of Power and Steel, slumped and died on Friday at his Ikoyi home barely 20 hours after he returned from a trip to the U.S. (NAN)

  • Ex- Ondo governor Agagu is dead

    Ex- Ondo governor Agagu is dead

    Former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Agagu has been reported dead. His death  on Friday evening was confirmed by family members who spoke with The Nation.

    Details later.