Agagu: Ondo gov declares seven days mourning

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has
declared a seven-day mourning period for the
former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun
Agagu, who died on Friday.
The period of mourning, according to a
statement by Mimiko’s media aide, Eni
Akinsola, will commence on Monday (today).
The statement read, “The Ondo State
Government has declared a 7-day mourning in
honour of the late former governor beginning
from Monday 16th September.
“It has also ordered that a condolence register
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.”
Mimiko described the late Agagu as an early
achiever who scaled dizzying heights in the
academic, political and social circles in the
country.
He spoke on Sunday during a condolence visit
to the Ikoyi home of the deceased.
Mimiko dsecribed the late Agagu as “a very
brilliant man who possessed a remarkable
ability for hard work which was evident as he
gave his best to the state, first as deputy
governor (in the old Ondo State) and later, as
governor.”
He assured the family of the love and prayers
of the people and government of Ondo State at
this period and said the government was
willing to work with the family towards giving
the former governor the befitting burial.
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said he was
shocked by the death of Agagu.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media,
Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi said the South West,
nay Nigeria, had lost one of their most
cerebral and intellectual politicians ever.
The Oyo State governor recalled that Agagu left
imperishable legacies in Ondo State where he
was governor between 2003 and 2007, stating
that he was particularly outstanding for the
incomparable road infrastructure that he
brought to the state.
“Dr. Agagu can never die; when the people
tread those roads constructed by his
administration in Ondo State, when they pass
by those imperishable legacies he left, the
foremost geology teacher will live in their
hearts and they will confront his great love for
the people of the state afresh, even decades to
come,” he said.
Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke
expressed grief over the sudden and painful
death of the former governor of Ondo State.
Imoke, in a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, described Agagu’s
death as painful and recalled his time with the
late former governor as Minister of Power. He
said Agagu was an “astute administrator, a
consummate professional and a team player.”
“It is with a great sense of shock and loss that
I received the sad news. Nigeria, Ondo State
and the Peoples Democratic Party will
definitely miss him, particularly at a time his
wealth of experience is needed most,” he said.
Senator Bode Olajumoke also described the
death of the ex-governor as a great loss to
Nigeria and the people of Ondo State.
In a statement made available to journalists on
Sunday, Olajumoke said the PPD had lost a
formidable member within its ranks.
“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,” he said.
He prayed that God would grant his wife and
children the fortitude to bear the loss.
Former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni also
commiserated with the family of the deceased.
Oni, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief
Press Secretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said the
death of Agagu left him ‘personally hollow and
empty.’
He said, “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, 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.”
Ex-Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje said
the death of Agagu shocked him. Goje was
Minister of State in the Power and Steel
ministry when Agagu was the substantive
minister between years 2000 and 2002.