President Goodluck Jonathan said he received with immense sadness the news of the passing away of the former Minister of Aviation and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
A statement on Saturday by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Jonathan on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, extends sincere condolences to Dr. Agagu’s family, the government and people of Ondo State, as well as Dr. Agagu’s friends, political associates and colleagues in Ondo State and other parts of the country.
Abati said; “The President joins them in mourning the distinguished academic whose exemplary decorum, poise, urbanity, finesse and loyalty in the conduct of politics will be greatly missed by all, especially his colleagues and associates in the Peoples Democratic Party.
“As they mourn however, President Jonathan believes that they can take solace in the knowledge that Dr. Agagu has left behind a legacy of notable achievements in his illustrious public service career at the state and federal levels which will stand to his eternal credit and honour.
“The President prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Dr. Agagu and grant his soul peaceful repose.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described Agagu as a consummate politician who would be missed for his sagacity and skillfulness both in politics and public administration.
Abubakar, in a condolence message on the demise of the immediate governor of the Sunshine state, noted that Agagu’s death came with a personal pain to him, “because he was a friend, and a brilliant strategist.”
Abubakar noted that “late Governor Olusegun Agagu not only sat eminently among politicians of note in the country, his contribution to Geology, his area of specialization 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 whole over the loss of a worthy scholar, thinker and leader.
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the death of Agagu as very sad and unfortunate, while eulogising him as a loyal party man whose contributions to the Peoples Democratic Party and the nation would remain indelible.
In a statement issued 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.
Governor 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 contest 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.
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed shock over the death of Agagu.
Agagu died in Lagos on Friday.
Kalu described Agagu’s demise as a big loss to the nation.
In a condolence message by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, Kalu described Agagu has a consummate politician, who played a key role in the socio-political development of Nigeria.
He said: ”It is disheartening to lose such a perfect gentleman, who, in different capacities, served his fatherland selflessly.
“He will be remembered for his peace loving and accommodating nature.
“He lived a simple life worthy of emulation.”
Kalu said it is noteworthy that Agagu left legacies as a family man and a politician, with several projects as the hallmark of his six years as governor of Ondo State.
He added: “No one can take it away from Agagu that he did his best as governor of Ondo State.
“He left legacies that any politician would be proud of.”
Kalu urged Agagu’s family to take solace in the fact that he left good legacies behind.
He commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State on the death of the elder statesman and prayed God to grant him eternal rest.
The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has lamented over the death of Agagu, whom he described as a dependable ally.
Mark, in a reaction to the demise of Agagu, said the former Minister of Aviation as well as Power and Steel in former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, was a trust worthy politician and a forthright leader who stood to be counted when it mattered.
He noted that late Agagu neither pretended nor shied away from saying the truth no matter the circumstances, saying that he was one of the few politicians who played mature politics without bitterness.
He said: “As a minister, Agagu distinguished himself as a goal-getter. As the then executive governor of Ondo State, he recorded impressive outing as a performing governor. As a political leader he gave his people a sense of belonging.”
The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has commiserated with the government and people of Ondo State over the death of Agagu, describing it as shocking.
Dr. Ahmed, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said with the demise of former Governor Agagu, the nation has been deprived of his wise counsel and wealth of political experience, especially now that Nigeria is in dire need of political tolerance and moral rejuvenation in order to overcome her developmental challenges.
Ahmed said Agagu was an honest and highly reliable politician who wanted the best for his people and the country.
“His contribution to education remains a reference point,” Ahmed averred.
The governor prayed God to grant the Ondo State Government, the Agagu family and Nigeria at large the fortitude to bear the loss of the former governor.
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described the death of Agagu as “tragic and extremely shocking.”
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, said the death of the former Ondo State governor was a “blow below the belt” for the political class in the country.
The governor said Ekiti State 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 as 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.”
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has also commiserated with the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on the demise of his predecessor, Agagu.
The TUC said in a statement: “Our hearts also go out to the bereaved families. We understand the ex-governor slumped and died at the age of 65 while having a meeting with some Ondo indigenes in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“The academic record of the ex-governor and minister was replete with laurels and prizes. Agagu went to the University of Texas between 1973 and 1974 for his Masters degree in Geology. Returning to Nigeria, he obtained a Ph.D degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978. He was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as his first minister of Aviation in 1999. On 29 June 2006 President Olusegun Obasanjo commended him to his people because of his excellent achievements.
“The Congress feels particularly saddened by the fact that we have had cause to condole five prominent Nigerian families in less than two months over the death of their loved ones who were snatched away in their prime by the cold arms of death. We pray the good Lord to grant the deceased persons eternal rest, and their surviving relations divine grace and fortitude to bear their loss.”
Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, the National Conscience Party gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, has commiserated with the family of Agagu, the good people of Ondo State, and Mimiko over the death of Agagu.
Banjo said Agagu was driven by a passion to serve mankind and did his best for Ondo State.
He said: “Odeku, a man of peace is gone.
“In Islam, we say from God we come and unto Him we shall return.
“His death will create a very big vacuum in his and PDP political family.
“I pray that God will be with his wife and children.
“Till his death, he remained a great and committed foot soldier of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I pray that God Almighty would receive his soul and grant him eternal rest.”
A former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has expressed his shock at the unpleasant news of the death of Agagu.
In a statement personally signed by him, Igbinedion, a former Chairman,Nigerian Governors Forum, said: “I received the unpleasant news of the death of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, former Ondo State Governor, with shock and disbelief.
“His exit at this period was a great setback for the nation due to his wealth of experience in political engineering.
“While praying for his repose, I commiserate with the good people of Ondo State and his immediate family on his transition and pray that God will grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
A former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has said the death of Agagu left him personally hollow and empty.
Reacting to Agagu’s death through his Chief Press Secretary, Lere Olayinka, the former governor said: “This death has robbed us of one of the finest gentlemen, intellectuals and patriots in Nigerian politics.
“This death has left me personally hollow and empty. I am indeed short of words.
“Right now, all that we can do is to pray for the family.
“It is my prayer that the good Lord will grant the deceased eternal rest and also grant his family, we his associate, members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State and the entire people of the State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Northern States Governors Forum on Saturday paid tribute to Agagu, saying his death marked the end of a glorious era.
The Forum, in a statement on Saturday in Minna, Niger State, said the late Agagu was a nationalist who lived a purposeful life of dedication to the cause of Nigeria’s unity.
The statement, signed by Danladi Ndayebo, spokesman to the forum’s Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu Aliyu, described the deceased as a loyal party man, a diligent and principled person who stood on the side of the people.
“From Agagu’s stint as a lecturer at the prestigious University of Ibadan, through his tenure as minister of aviation, to his election to the position of the Governor of Ondo State, and his life in retirement, the former governor remained with the people,” it added.
The northern governors called on the Ondo State Government to immortalise the deceased to serve as an inspiration to younger generation of Nigerians.
They prayed God to grant repose to his soul and the fortitude for his family to bear the loss.
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