Olusegun Agagu, Former Ondo Governor Is Dead

Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, the immediate past governor of Ondo State is dead.

Agagu reportedly slumped and died in his House in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday afternoon after returning from a trip to United States. Another source said he died in his Ikoyi residence, in Lagos.

Agagu, a senior member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, was to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan next week along with some elders of the party from the South West on the lingering crisis in the Party.

Confirming his death, Ondo State Chairman of the PDP, Ebenezer Alabi, said “We spoke extensively by 10 a.m. today, we even shared jokes.”

Born February 16, 1948 at Iju Odo in Okipipupa local government area of Ondo state, Agagu commenced his elementary education at St. Luke’s Anglican School, now known as St. Paul’s Anglican School Okitipupa, in 1954. In January 1958, he moved to live with his cousin, Edward Fagbohun in Ibadan, Oyo state where he continued his primary education at Ebenezer African Church School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

He continued his primary education in Kano in 1959 at Ebenezer Methodist School and Baptist Primary School Sabon-Gari, Kano State but went back to Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan where he completed his primary education in 1960. He was in Ibadan Grammar School between January 1961 and 1967 where he passed his West African School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate examinations.

He was admitted into the University of Ibadan in 1968 to study Botany but later changed to Geology in which he graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Second Class Upper Division, in 1971.

Agagu went to the University of Texas between 1973 and 1974 for his Masters degree in Geology, and obtained a Ph.D degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978.

Agagu was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as Minister of Aviation in 1999.

He was elected Governor of Ondo State from 29 May, 2003 until February 2009.

Agagu was aged 65

In a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, Mimiko described the demise of his former political antagonist as most unfortunate and hard to believe.

“This news, to say the least, is most shocking and very hard to believe. It is most unfortunate and indeed a great loss.” The brief statement read.

Mimiko prayed God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

President Goodluck Jonathan has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of the former Minister of Aviation and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

A statement by his special assistant on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said on Saturday.

The statement read “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Jonathan 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”.

Jonathan also “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”.