. Osinbajo, Lawan, Okowa, Others Harp on Omo-Agege’s Qualities
From Omuvwie Onohwakpor, South South Bureau Chief, The New Diplomat
It was a gathering of who is who in the political landscape across Nigeria as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, Governors Nasir e-Rufai of Kaduna State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Muhammed Badaru of Jigawa State and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, among several other eminent personalities gathered in Warri, Delta State for a thanksgiving by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
Speaking at the occasion, Osinbajo, Lawan, Okowa, among others harp on the sterling qualities of Omo-Agege which they all agree have been propelling force in his political trajectory. According to the Vice President, it is not just Omo-Agege’s brilliance that is his driving force but that his courage, reliability, and loyalty that propelled him to the exalted position of Deputy Senate President.
He said; “ I think that both Omo-Agege and Senator Lawan were the unanimous choice of most of us in the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the leadership of the APC…And the reasons are very simple: Lawan has always proved to be very reliable and always a party person and so is Omo-Agege. In most of the things people were shy or afraid to do, Omo-Agege stood up and was ready to be counted at the right time. I think that for his courage and for his steadfastness and for his reliability, not only was he rewarded by his constituents who he loves very much but also by our great party, and by the 9th Senate by his election to the position of Deputy Senate President.” According to him, given Omo-Agege’s good qualities . he is optimistic that he would still achieve more politically in Nigeria.
On his part, Senate President Lawan said he was in the Church to thank God for God’s blessings upon his deputy, stressing that the more God is appreciated for his blessings, the more blessings he would release unto man. He pledged that the Senate would continue to work with the executive to build a great country and resolve the security concerns in the land. Similarly, Governor Okowa of Delta State congratulated the Deputy Senate President whom he described as his brother. He added: “ We rejoice with you as a State; your position is a call to service not just to your nation but to Deltans.”
In his response, Omo-Agege who said he was highly grateful to God for what he has done for him, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, VP Osinbajo, Senate President Lawan, APC National Chairman, Comrade Oshiomhole, APC governors and all party faithful for their support. He maintained that he would continue to promote national unity while attracting the dividends of democracy to his constituency. Earlier on, the officiating priest, Very Rev Fr Antony Ozele, President Warri Diocesan Priests Association said it was logical to appreciate God, stressing that the celebration was for the entire Urhobo nation. According to him, Nigeria has a bright future. He said Nigeria as a nation has a bright and prosperous future ahead. He added: ” Nigeria will rise; there is hope; I charge each and every one of us to stand up for Nigeria. Let us stand up for hope; all foes and enemies of Nigeria will be vanquished, Nigeria will survive.”
DSP Ovie Omo-Agege who is representing Delta Central Senatorial zone in the Senate, deemed it fit and proper to thank God today at the Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport Junction, Effurun, Delta State, for all the blessings, and great accomplishments that God has bestowed upon him. The Church service, and the follow-up reception which also took place in Effurun shortly after the church service were filled to capacity as the world stormed Warri to felicitate and rejoice with Senator Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhobo nation.
The endless list of esteemed personalities include National chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Minister of State for Labour, Chief Festus Keyamo, Senator James Manager, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, Senators Matthew Urhoghide, Clifford Ordia, Peter Nwaoboshi, Abdullahi Gumel, Enyinnaya Abaribe(Senate Minority Leader), Stella Odua, Uche Ekwunife, Aliyu Sabi, Rochas Okorocha, Ibikunle Amosun. Former governors present include Chief James Ibor(former Delta State governor), Senator George Akume(former Benue State Governor), etc. The House of Representatives members were led by Deputy Speaker of the House, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase with the following in attendance: Francis Waive, Thomas Ereyitomi, Efe Afe, Peter Akpatasn,etc.
Others include Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Sheriff Oborevwori, past MD of NDDC, Chief Nsima Ekere, Prof Amos Utuama, Cairo Ojougbo(acting EDP, NDDC), Chief Ighoyota Amori, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, Chief Matthew Edevbie, former Delta State Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Victor Ochei, Moses Odibo, Ayiri Emami, Chief Frank Ovie-Kokori, Olorogun Oscar Ibru,among others.
