The International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan yesterday played host to friends, relatives, prominent figures and frontline politicians, who graced the well-attended First Memorial Thanksgiving Service of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

Speaking on the late Agagu, who once served as Minister of Power under his administration, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “You hear and read about Segun Agagu. If I had a minister that served loyally and committedly, Agagu would definitely be one of them. We are here to celebrate the legacy and good work he left behind.”

He added that Agagu had a passion for service, saying: “When I wanted to hang unto him as Minister, the call for greater service for Ondo State made me to let him go.”

The keynote speaker at the event, former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae,

identified unemployment as the greatest challenge confronting Africa and tasked the continent’s leaders to fashion out ways of addressing it.

Mogae, who was represented by his country’s Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ambassador Myon Boang, described Agagu as a man of vision and accountable leadership. He recounted Agagu’s exploits while at the Aviation and Power ministries, saying that he instituted an unprecedented results-driven planning approach to governance.

The envoy tasked Agagu’s family to continue to uphold his principles and legacies.

Chairman of Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, among others, extolled the virtues of the late Agagu and urged the family not to let his legacy die.

Other dignitaries at the service included Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Minister of Communication and Technology, Ms Omobola Johnson, and her Power counterpart, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

In his remarks, Mr. Feyi Agagu, one of the sons of the deceased, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to all who came to honour his father. He assured that his father’s ideals and legacies would live on.

Along this line, a foundation was launched in memory of the former governor that will fund education and cater for the less privileged.

•Photo shows late Olusegun Agagu.