Three serving governors, former governors, businessmen, academics and royal fathers, on Monday, eulogised former Ondo State governor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, describing him in various glowing terms.
Agagu died on September 13 in Lagos, shortly after returning from the United States (U.S.)
His associates converged on the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI) to give him the last honour.
The university, where the late former governor was a student and later, Acting Head of Department of Geology, set aside the occasion as a day of tributes for him, as part of his burial activities.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented on the occasion by his wife, Chief Bola, said Agagu’s death really hit him hard, describing him as a detribalised Nigerian and a committed party man, who will be missed by all.
“We shall all miss Olusegun Agagu. The family will miss a very loving and responsible father; friends will miss a reliable friend, who is loyal, frank and unpretentious; Nigeria will miss another great son who is selfless and committed nation builder;
“Even when he was cheated, he resorted to legal means instead of being violent. Olusegun Agagu has left us to go to another side where he will be cheated no more. Sun un re o (rest in peace)”, Obasanjo said.
Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who titled his tributes “Not How Long, But How Well”, described Agagu as someone who had a soft spot for the poor and always had the interest of his people at heart until he passed on.
Daniel, who said he spoke on behalf of former Governors Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Engineer Segun Oni, and Ayo Fayose, recalled the efforts of Dr. Agagu in the discovery of crude oil in Ondo State.
According to the former Ogun State governor, Agagu’s name will never be forgotten in the history of the development of Ondo state.
“Dr. Agagu’s name will ever linger in our hearts for his diligence, humility, loyalty, patriotism and quiet philanthropy”.
In their words, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as well as Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, all described Agagu in glowing terms.
Senator Ajimobi said Ondo State and the entire Yoruba land should be proud of Agagu’s good legacy left behind, pointing out that he lived a worthy life of emulation.
Aregbesola appreciated Agagu’s brilliance and his love for his people, describing him as “pleasantly accommodating.”
“We saw in him a responsible intellectual who always enjoyed adding value to peoples lives until he breathed his last,” Aregbesola declared.
To Fayemi, Agagu was a good role model in academic and in politics who would be missed by all.
His words: “Dr. Agagu lived above political pettiness, rancour and acrimony. Uncle Segun was a quintessential gentleman, who always made himself available for the progress and development of his people”.
Former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Honourable Olabimtan, remembered Agagu’s giant strides in virtually all sectors including education, health, road construction and general development in Ondo State.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representative from Ondo state, Honourable Olusola Oke, said the state would really miss Agagu.
His words: “People of Ondo State; the riverine people of Ondo State will never forget Dr. Agagu for bringing development to the state. Agagu’s legacy in Ondo state will never be allowed to die. Adieu our father; Adieu, our great leader”.
Spokesman for business Community, Tonye Cole, also eulogised Agagu for supporting business entrepreneur, pointing out that “Dr. Agagu always gave us advice beneficial to our business concern”.
Mr. Wole Ariyo of Chevron Oil, recalled that he first met Dr. Agagu in 1970 and since then, he had always been impressed by his brilliance and passion for hard work.
“It is to the eternal glory of Segun that Ondo state is witnessing the development it is recording today,”Ariyo observed.
Dr. Kola Ademiju, Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, who represented the latter, described Agagu as a worthy son of the state.
One of Agagu’s children, Feyi, thanked the gathering for honouring their father.
The occasion was attended by several dignitaries including business mogul, Oba Otudeko, Chief Akin Aduwo, among others.
