What would have been a celebration of life for the former Governor of Ondo State, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, turned to mourning yesterday in Ondo State as the chartered Air Flight expected to convey his remains and the family who is expected to lead the body to the state capital, Akure crashed in Lagos.
Already, funeral activities in the state, particularly in Akure was at the top gear for the late former governor scheduled for today and tomorrow where he will be committed to mother earth in his home town at Iju-Odo in Okitipupa local government.
As early as 7.am, residents of the state, particularly those in Akure had trooped out in enmasse to receive his remains which was expected to be conveyed by an aircraft to the state for the lying-in-state at the Democracy Park in Akure.
PDP members were already decked in colourful ankara fabrics with Yellow fez caps and head ties for women.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko, including his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimu; former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni and his deputy, Sikiru Lawal; Chief Olusola Oke, former Agagu’s deputy governor, Omolade Oluwateru; PDP chieftains in the state and Agagu’s wife Funmi, with her two daughters and daughter in-law, who flew into the state by another private aircraft, were at the Akure Airport to receive the body.
According to report, 20 people conveyed by the Associated Air Flight including the corpse were involved in the crash.
However, the Democracy Park, which was the venue for the lying-in-state was already filled to its brim with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties’ supporters.
Not only this, invited dignitaries were on their seats waiting for the arrival of the corpse for the commencement of the programme.
Some of the Dignitaries were, Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Simeon Borokini, the State commissioners, for Information, Environment, Kayode Akinmade and Sola Ebiseni respectively, Deputy Governorship Candidate of PDP, Saka Lawal among others.
Glossy Pamphlets have already been distributed to the dignitaries and Journalists at the events where AIT and the state owned Television OSRC were set for the live coverage of the event.
It was after the incident that the dignitaries started vacating the venue one by one. Some were still hanging around and discussing what they called unexpected tragedy that befell the state.
PDP members quickly rushed to their party secretariat in along Oyemekun road, Akure, as women were weeping, raining curses on those who might have done these to Agagu’s family.
Residents of Akure were in groups discussing the incident in hushed tones, stressing that the former minister, whom they described as astute administrator did not deserve this calamity.
On board the ill-fated aircraft were the first son of late Agagu, Feyi, the deceased corpse, and some state government crew including the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Deji Falae, who unconfirmed report said is dead
Ironically, it was learnt that none of late Agagu’s relative died in the plane crash, while his remains were said to be intact.
Our reporter visited the home of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF], Chief Olu Falae who is the father of the commissioner, where sympathizers were on prayer session for the survival of life of Deji, the commissioner.
Falae, who was surrounded by two friends kept mum, but only responded in Yoruba Language by saying “E se oo, E se oo” meaning “thank you, thank you repeatedly”
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, who was in distress said, “the disasters are tasking our souls and breaking our hearts.
Oke, who was flanked by other PDP Chieftains, said “at a time we were thinking of given triumphant entry for a peaceful commitment to mother earth, of our great leader, this disaster struck to shake his biological, political and social families to their very existence.
“While we commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives, we thank God for saving the life of late Agagu only son, [Feyi] for the sake of sustaining the former governor‘s dynasty.
“We were also full of praises that the former President Olusegun Obasanjo son, Gbenga who was on board of the plane has also been reported to have survived the ordeal.
Oke called for full investigations of the disaster, which he attributed to carelessness or sabotage.
He also thanked God that Agagu’s remains were intact saying “our leader will still be given the deserved burial part of which had already started”.
According to the PDP leader all praises should also go those who rescued the survivors of the plane crash, stressing that the burial would resume with minimal delay after due consultation with Agagu’s family and the state government.
A competent source who was a cabinet member of late Agagu said the deceased family members had gone to Lagos to retrieve the remains of the former governor, stressing that after consultation over night the corpse may be buried tomorrow [today].
He disclosed that Feyi, had spoke with his mother and other family members, an indication that he was in good condition.
The State PDP Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi said late Agagu did not deserved what was happening saying “we are still very shock of this happenings but we are consoled that his heir-apparent did not die, that was the only joy we had.
Also, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of PDP, Hon. Saka Lawal called for prayers in the state, adding that the people need to move closer to God for deliverance.
“An Ondo State needs prayer, what has happened is just for us to move closer to God. I will like to say, this has never occurred in the history of Ondo State. I will like to sympathize with the people of the state. It is unfortunate that our dear state is going through this kind of disaster. Again we need prayer; everybody must come together for divine intervention from the hands of the evil forces”. Lawal bsaid.
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Mr. Ade Adetimehin said what has happened was a great an indication that late Agagu was a great man.
The APC Chieftain said “With what happened, inside the ill-fated aircraft where the former governor’s corpse and his close relatives were spared of death, it was so marvelous.
He maintained that it is high time for all lovers of progress in Ondo State to come together and ensure that an end come to this kind of calamity.
The Ondo State Government has received with shock the news of the crash of the plane bearing the corpse late Agagu, as it was taking off from Lagos.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola said “Information available indicates that there were casualties and a few survivors of this unfortunate crash. We are however still expecting more information.
“No doubt, this is an unfortunate disaster in the life of our dear State. We can only pray that God will visit the State with mercy and give us all the strength to bear these unfortunate losses.
“We ask all residents to be in a sober and prayerful mood at these trying times as God is indeed the only person we should call upon in this period.
“Government assures that further and better information will be released as soon as they are available.”
