Late Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was born in Okitipupa, Ondo State on February 16th, 1948 into the family of Chief Isaac Olorunfemi Agagu and Mrs. Leah Omopelumi Agagu. His father was a Local Council Chairman in Okitipupa and also the Ojomo of Osooro, the third in the traditional hierarchy of the Osooro Kingdom.
The young Olusegun grew up in several towns and cities of Nigeria, attending various primary schools in Okitipupa, Kano, and Ibadan. Thereafter, he proceeded to the prestigious Ibadan Grammar School (1961 to 1967) where he graduated with flying colours. He gained admission into the premier university, the University of Ibadan, in 1968 and graduated at the top of his class with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Geology in 1971. As an undergraduate, his academic record was replete with laurels and prizes. He won three under-graduate scholarships namely the Western State Scholarship, the University of Ibadan Scholarship and the Gulf Oil Company .
Upon graduation, he accepted the appointment to work as a geologist offered by the Gulf Oil Company (now Chevron). After 14 months, he resigned and took up employment at the University of Ibadan as an Assistant Lecturer in Geology. His new job at the university offered half his Gulf Oil salary but Dr Agagu’s love for intellectual rigour spurred him to continue at the University of Ibadan where he sought the opportunity to study for higher degrees. He went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin, USA in 1974 and then worked with the University of Texas as a Research Scientist for the United States Atomic Energy Commission on Geothermal Energy. He thereafter returned to Nigeria and continued to lecture at the Geology department of the University of Ibadan from where he obtained a PhD in Petroleum Geology in 1978.
He taught Geology at the University of Ibadan for 16 years before voluntarily retiring as a Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department in 1988, having made up his mind early in life that he would retire from paid employment once he attained the age of 40 years. As an academic and researcher he published several articles in reputable national and international journals and also authored more than 100 technical reports.
Agagu belonged to many national and international professional bodies including the Geological Society of America, the Geological Society of Africa and the Association of Petroleum Geologists. He was also a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society and a Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists.
Agagu was a geological consultant to numerous companies and governments including the Governments of Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ondo States; Shell Petroleum Development Company; Mobil Producing Nigeria; Texaco; Nigeria Agip Oil Company; Lexington Exploration U.S.A and Nitex Exploration U.S.A. He also established many successful private businesses including a water borehole drilling company, a kaolin mining and processing company and several other mining companies including marble, feldspar and granite in different parts of the country.
Agagu was elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria and served from January 1992 to November 1993. As the Deputy Governor in Ondo State, the combination of his knowledge as a Geologist, resourcefulness and his untiring efforts led to the State becoming an oil producing state, a feat that massively expanded the economic base of the State. His exceptional performance as Deputy Governor endeared him to the people and paved the way for a future in the exalted position as Governor a decade later.
He was appointed to the Federal Cabinet of Ministers by President Olusegun Obasanjo when civilian rule was re-established in 1999. He served as the Minister for Aviation (1999-2000) and then as Minister for Power and Steel (2000-2002). His one year stint at the Ministry of Aviation resulted in a dramatic turnaround of the sector. The pragmatic restructuring of the industry led to the creation of FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, NCAT and Nigerian Airways for effective administration and brought sanity to the hitherto chaotic situation at the airports. The 6 year ban placed on flights to and from Nigeria by the American Government because of poor aviation security was lifted within 6 months of him being Minister; the Nigerian College of Aviation and Technology, Zaria started to train pilots again after a 7 year hiatus occasioned by a lack of trainer aircraft; and the Nigerian Airways fleet grew from 1 to 7 aircrafts.
Agagu resigned as a Federal Minister in November 2002 to contest the election as Governor of Ondo State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. He won and served Ondo State as Governor from May 2003 to February 2009. As Governor of Ondo State, he ran a clearly transparent, focused, prudent, visionary and efficient administration that led to a visible transformation across all the critical sectors of the State.
Agagu passed away on 13 September 2013. His death came as a massive shock to the nation. On October 3rd, 2013, a day before his burial, Associated Aviation Flight 361, the plane carrying his corpse together with 13 passengers and 7 crew members, crashed on takeoff from Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Until he passed on, Dr. Olusegun Agagu was a loving family man and was married to his school sweetheart and dance partner, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, for more than 39 years. Their union was blessed with three children including Feyi Agagu. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
Agagu received the award of the Citizen L’Órdre National du Merite, from the Government of France in 2000. He also received a National Award, the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2012. He also received honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) degrees from the Nassarawa State University and the University of Uyo, Nigeria. He was also honoured with the Key to the City of Baltimore. He also received several honorary chieftaincy titles for his contributions to the society some of which are The Ajanuku of Osooro Kingdom, The Gbobaniyi of Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State, The Atunluse of Idoani and The Atunluse of Ondo State. ‘Átunluse’ means ‘repairer of the city’.
Rest on beloved Odidiomo of Ikale land till we meet again and depart no more.
Credit : Ikale Ilaje Apoi and Ijaw rant tv
