seven-day mourning for his immediate predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu,
who died last Friday, aged 65, even as more condolence messages and
tributes poured in for the deceased.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Senator Danjuma Goje, Trade Union
Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA and Bode
Olajumoke, were among those that sent in their condolences,
yesterday.
Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public
Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, said the deceased was a nationalist who
championed unity and tolerance among the people.
He described him as a fulfilled gentleman who shared his vast
knowledge and experience with many politicians within and outside his
state.
While condoling with the people of Ondo over the death, Tambuwal
prayed to God to give the deceased's family fortitude to bear the
loss.
Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, described his death as a painful loss
to the country, Ondo State, which he served for years and the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP.
Akpabio, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum, in a
statement by his Special Assistant Media, Mr. Jackson Udom said "Agagu
was a revered leader whose wealth of experience would have been
effective in reclaiming the South-west states for the PDP.
"I am shocked by this death. It is a great loss to the country because
he was a leader with a vast experience, having served as a Minister of
Aviation and later governor.
But the loss is heavier to the PDP family, especially at a time that
it needs experienced politicians like Agagu to chart the course for
the complete reconciliation and subsequent electoral victory of the
party in the South-west region."
On his part, Senator Goje in a statement by his media aide, Ahmed
Yaro, said: "It came to me as a shock, a very rude shock. Dr. Agagu
was an absolute gentleman, quite brilliant, and very patriotic.
"When we ran the Power and Steel Ministry together, you could see his
passion for the country. He was very dedicated and committed. It must
have been these qualities that the people of Ondo State saw in him,
and for which they elected him governor in 2003.
TUC in a message by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi
Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, said they were 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 hands of death."
NMA, through a statement by its President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said
"the circumstances of Agagu's unfortunate death also reignite our
fervent call on Nigerians to cultivate the right habit of consulting
their licensed medical doctors/dentists for periodic health check-ups
in view of the benefits, which include reduction in the spine-chilling
incidence of sudden deaths amongst Nigeria's productive men and women.
Immortalising
"As a way of immortalising this great son of Ondo State, we wish to
most humbly request the Governor and Government of Ondo State to
consider declaring a public holiday dedicated to free health check-up
for citizens of Ondo State.
On his part, Senator Olajumoke said: "His death has come too soon at
65, and the PDP political family of Ondo State and Nigeria have lost a
formidable member, an intellectual and a great tactician and
organiser.
"During his tenure as governor, he left indelible marks in every local
government and ward of Ondo State.
"May the good Lord accept Him in His bosom and give all of us, but in
particular his dear wife, Funke and the children the fortitude to bear
this loss."
'Scrupulous, brilliant'
Also the Director-General of National Sports Commission, Gbenga
Elegbeleye, said: "It is sad that Dr. Agagu, a scrupulous and
brilliant politician would pass on at a time the nation required his
service most. I pray that the Almighty shall give his family and close
associates the fortitude to bear the loss."
A mega supermarket, Grocery Bazaar in the Ejigbo Local Council
Development Area was last week opened to public following a demand for
a conducive shopping center.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Council's Chairman, Hon. Kehinde
Bamgbetan expressed joy at the location of the market saying that
"this will certainly bring about more development to the area"
Bamgbetan expressed gratitude to management of Grocery Bazaar for
employing youths in and around Ejigbo town.
The Council boss who was represented by Mrs. Oyinye Okoroji noted that
the location of the supermarket has added value to the commercial of
the town.
Speaking in similar vein, Managing Director of Grocery Bazaar, Mr. Sam
Ejeh said that the Ejigbo branch is the second in three years adding
that in ten years time the whole of the Mainland would have been taken
over by Grocery Bazaar.
Meanwhile, Ondo State government has declared a seven-day mourning for
the former governor, beginning from today.
Governor Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni
Akinsola ordered that condolence registers be opened at the Governor's
Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state's liaison offices in Lagos and
Abuja and the headquarters of the 18 local government areas of the
state.
The governor also called on indigenes and residents of Ondo State to
remember the Agagu family in their prayers.
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