The Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State residence of the late former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, was on Saturday morning deserted.
When some politicians visited the residence at about 9am to express their sympathy, no family member was sighted.
Agagu, who returned from United States (U.S.) on Thursday, reportedly slumped in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was having a meeting with Ondo indigenes on Friday evening.
Mr Yemi Olowolabi, Agagu’s former Chief Press Secretary, said that the former Aviation Minister was not sick and had just returned from a 20-day trip abroad.
At the Bodija residence of the late University of Ibadan lecturer, the two policemen on duty said that family members of the deceased were in Lagos.
“Papa died in Lagos and that is why all his family members are not in Ibadan. We are the only ones in the house for now,” one of the policemen said.
Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in for the former governor.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described him as a consummate politician who would be missed for his sagacity and skillfulness both in politics and public administration.
Atiku, in a condolence message on the demise of the immediate governor of the Sunshine State, noted that Agaga’s death came with a personal pain to him, “because he was a friend, and a brilliant strategist.”
Atiku noted that “late Governor Olusegun Agagu not only sat eminently among politicians of note in the country, his contribution to Geology, his area of specialisation, is also very impressive.
“Be it in politics, scholarly undertakings or public administration, the late Governor Agagu was a first class material. I will miss him as a friend, but the country will miss him as a worthy citizen and leader.”
The former Vice President extended his sympathies to the late governor’s family, the people and government of Ondo State and Nigerians as a whole “over the loss of a worthy scholar, thinker and leader”.
Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, the former National Deputy Chairman of the PDP, said that he received the news as a rude shock. Adeojo said he could not close his mouth when he heard about the news, adding that what he knew was that Agagu returned to the country hale and hearty on Thursday. He described his death as a big loss to the nation. Also speaking, Chief Lekan Balogun, a PDP chieftain, described Agagu’s death as a tragic loss to the nation. “He was a gentleman, a politician and an intellectual of note, whose contributions would be strongly missed,” he said. Chief Dejo Raimi, the former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, said it was unfortunate that Agagu died young. “He was not suffering from any chronic disease. I think I will seek clarification from the family whether the death was sudden or expected. “It is most sad that I have heard up to seven deaths within 48 hours after I celebrated my 80th birthday on earth,” Raimi said. The PDP in Oyo State also described Agagu’s death as shocking and a big loss to the nation. The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kehinde Salawu, said that Agagu was an intellectual, who was most needed now. The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, said it was unfortunate that Nigeria has lost someone of Agagu’s calibre. The party, through Mr Moojed Olaoya, the Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), described his death as an irreparable loss. “It is unfortunate that the nation is gradually losing some of its important people. It is a big loss to the academic community, Ondo State and the nation at large,” he said. Chief Tunde Anifowose, the National Chairman, Action Alliance, said that Agagu died at a time the nation needed him most. Also reacting, Mr Moshood Erubami, the chairman, Nigeria Voter’s Assembly, said that Agagu’s death was painful.
Erubami said it was unfortunate that Agagu’s death came when people were coming together to move the nation forward. “He was one of the materials needed to move Nigeria forward. We will miss him a lot,” he said. Minister of State, FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, and a former National President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), lauded Agagu’s leadership qualities.
Akinjide, in a statement in Ibadan, expressed shock and sorrow at the sudden death of Agagu.
She described the demise of the former governor as “the loss of a titan in the South-West chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
“On a personal level, I have a cordial relationship with him, as he was unfailingly courteous and respectful to all,” she said.
The minister also expressed her heartfelt condolences to the widow and family of the deceased, “at this difficult time’’.
Akeredolu, the governorship candidate of the defunct ACN in Ondo State in the October 2012 election, described the death of Agagu as “the irreparable loss of a visionary leader’’.
This was contained in a statement, also issued in Ibadan.
“I just received the heart-corroding news of the demise of Dr Olusegun Agagu, the immediate-past governor of our dear Ondo State.
“I must hasten to state that I am devastated by this news.
“I am sure that many of my compatriots in the state will also feel this irreparable sense of loss,” he said.
Akeredolu, said that Agagu’s tenure as governor 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,” he said.
Akeredolu also described Agagu as “urbane, resourceful, 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 testimonies to his vision.
“It is regrettable that he passed on at this time when his invaluable input was badly needed in the state.”
Akeredolu expressed his heart-felt condolences to the immediate family of the departed leader.
He also commiserated with the people of Ondo State for the “unwanted visits of this morbid messenger with attendant losses’’.
To Otunba Kunle Kalejaye, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, “Agagu’s death has robbed Nigeria and its peoples of a genuine believer in the Nigerian state and its dreams. The Nigerian youth has lost a detribalised Nigerian. He was ever ready to deploy his huge intellect at proferring solutions. He was a committed patriot, ever ready to see the positive side of things always. His home community lost a true son, who gave all he had to ensure that knowlege would not ever be a scarce commodity”.
Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Azeem Gbolarumi said, “The death of the former governor Agagu came in as a shock. He was a good person. He was loved by his people, an astute politician, a grassroot er. He will be missed not only by ondo people but also by Nigerians. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace”.
Senator Lekan Balogun had this to say: “A gentleman, and an intellectual! I am shocked by the suddenness of his death. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace”.
Former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Taoheed Adedoja, said the late Agagu would be greatly missed as a leader that craved for peace.
“The last time he attended the meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, that was February at NICON NOGA hotel, he received a standing ovation for his submission when he said he wanted peace in the party in Ondo State and in Nigeria and openly pleaded for forgiveness if he had offended anybody. He never missed any peace meeting of the party. His death is a loss to the country as a whole”.
Former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Dejo Raimi, recalled his relationship with him, tracing it to the pre-current democratic experience when they belonged to the New Era Foundation under the leadership of Senator Bode Olajumoke.
Raimi recalled that the membership of the group facilitated the appointment of the late Agagu and Prof. Tunde Adeniran as ministers during the first term of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Describing him as a brilliant person, who belonged to the class of the few that studied Geology in his time, the former SSG said he would be greatly missed both as a politician and an academic of immense value. “May his soul rest in peace”, Raimi prayed.
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the death as very sad and unfortunate, while eulogising him as a loyal party man whose contributions to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the nation would remain indelible.
In a statement in Lagos by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, the governor also noted that Agagu was a calm and easy-going politician who ensured that peace reigned in Ondo State, even in the face of stiff resistance from the opposition.
Uduaghan recalled that Ondo State did not descend into political anarchy, neither did the state transform into a theatre of war as a result of the context for power that saw the deceased losing his seat as governor. “Politics for him was not a do or die”, he noted.
The Delta State helmsman similarly saluted the former governor’s immense contributions to the growth and stability of the PDP, while lamenting that the death was coming at a time when his wealth of wisdom and experience was most needed.
He commiserated with the late Agagu’s family, the government, the PDP family and entire people of Ondo State on the unfortunate incident and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Senate President David Mark described Agagu 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 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, said 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), said 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”.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State described the death as “tragic and extremely shocking.”
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the death of the former Ondo governor was a “blow below the belt” for the political class in the country.
The governor said Ekiti is sharing in the loss of Agagu who served as Deputy Governor in the old Ondo State of which Ekiti was part before it was created in 1996.
He noted that the death was more painful by the fact that Agagu never showed any sign of ill- health, adding that the late governor was a refined politician who carried on with his political activities in and out of office with maturity, candour and grace.
Fayemi said public service had been part of Agagu’s life as the late politician left the classroom as a Geology teacher for the slippery world of politics in his quest to touch the lives of his people.
He said, “Dr. Agagu’s life epitomized service to his people and humanity and he used every opportunity he had to use his intellect, time, energy and resources for the betterment of mankind.
“He served as a very loyal Deputy Governor under our revered father, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, and the legacies of that administration are still there for all to see.
“Dr. Agagu also served his country diligently as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Power and Steel.
“His service as governor of Ondo State gave him an opportunity to contribute immensely to the development of the Sunshine State in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, security, poverty alleviation among others”.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Ekiti State, we send our condolences to government and the good people of Ondo State who are mourning this great loss and we pray God to grant them and the entire family of the late Governor the fortitude to bear the loss”.
