Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu Buried In Ondo

The remains of the former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was finally committed to mother earth weeks after his death and some 24 four hours after a plane conveying his remains crashed yesterday in Lagos leaving his coffin intact. The body which arrived his Iju odo hometown in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state around 1: 40 pm from Lagos was received by a large crowd. Sympathizers, family members and dignitaries, traditional rulers as well as religious leaders both within and outside the state graced the burial ceremony.

An aircraft carrying the remains of the former governor crashed yesterday at the perimeters of the Murtala Mohammed international Airport in Lagos shortly after takeoff, killing 13 people. Agagu's body was taken to his hometown today by road. Several officials, clergy and party stalwarts at the burial includes, Minister Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who led the Federal Government delegation; Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, former governors of Oyo and Ekiti States, Adebayo Akala and Segun Oni; Osun’s ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogun State’s ex-governor Gbenga Daniel, controversial businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, Agagu’s former deputy Omolade Oluwateru, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, PDP Chairman Ondo State Chief Ebenezer Alabi, member House of Representatives , Raphael Nomiye, , Dr. Tunji Abayomi, and Chief Tai Lawal, among others.

Speaking at the church of Ebenezer Anglican Cathedral in Iju-Odo , Archbishop of the Anglican Archdiocese of Ondo , Revd. Ebun Ogundele described the late Agagu as a man whose contribution to the world is "countless."

Ogundele said the deceased left the world of sin to join his ancestors urging Nigerians to be mindful of eternity.

He said that most people of the world have forgotten that there is life after death saying things of the world will always perish with the world.

“We came to this world with nothing and surely shall we go back with nothing. Let us remember God in anything we do. No matter how highly you are. No matter your position and level in life. Death is what each and every one of us must taste. Death knows no bound. Agagu has gone and we will surely miss him. He did what he could do and let go at the end”. The Bishop said people obsessed  themselves with wealth driven by greed, selfishness and corruption which has eaten up the root of the Nigerian nation. He warned that if such continues many people might not make heaven as the end time is drawing nearer.

Other clergymen that presided over the ceremony include, Bishop of the Diocese on the Coast, Rt. Revd. Goke Akinbuluma, and the Lord Bishop of Irele  Diocese, Bishop Ajiboye of Igbobini. In his words, President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Agagu as a ‘party motivator’ who will be greatly missed by all, not only his family members but his close associates. Jonathan whose message was delivered at the venue by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt, Caleb Olubolade said the deceased wealth of experience had helped the party both at the local and national level to formulate ideas that the party now enjoy.

He commiserated with the families of those that died in yesterday’s plane crash and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones. In his response on behalf of the family, the younger brother of the deceased who was also his Chief of Staff (COS), Mr. Femi Agagu commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the plane crash yesterday.

He said the family of the late governor decided to cancel the traditional Christian wake keeping to reduce the glamour that would have attended today's event. stating that the burial was done in a low key because of those who died in the Lagos plane crash yesterday.

"It was because of the Lagos crash that we cancelled the traditional Christian wake yesterday to with those people that died in the plane. On behalf of the entire family, I commiserates with all the bereaved families and prays fervently for the repose of the souls of all the dead, even as the family continues to remain in close contact with the families of persons affected by this tragedy”. Mr. Agau's first and only son, Feyi could not attend the burial as he remained hospitalized in a Lagos hospital after surviving the plane crash yesterday.

At the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Civic centre, guests were entertained by musicians.

It was learnt that the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko did not attend the funeral ceremony due to fears that he might be attacked by people in the area. The Governor has become unpopular in Ondo State in general due to declining performance in office.

Source: Sahara Reporters