From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Political bigwigs, captains of industry, and eminent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered in Abuja to pay glowing tributes to the former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the late Ferdinand Agu. Agu, who served as Director General of the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA), now NIMASA, between 2000 and 2005, died on June 7, 2024, at the age of 64.
Dignitaries such as former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Simon Nsobundu Okeke, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ben Kalu, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi attended the night of tributes held in Abuja on Wednesday night for Agu.
Other dignitaries at the “Night of Tributes” in honour of Agu included former Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Information Frank Nweke Jr, and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mrs Farida Waziri, among others.
Speaking during the event, Anyim, who also chaired the planning committee for Agu’s burial, said he had known Agu for over 20 years. “Your presence here certainly shows your commitment and loyalty to friendship, which was the hallmark of Ferdinand’s life. He was deep and thoughtful yet humble, brilliant and ebullient yet honest and straightforward. He was loyal and committed to every relationship he found himself in, yet a man of his own convictions. That was the Ferdinand I knew for over 20 years,” he praised.
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Also paying tribute, Nnamani described Agu as an encyclopedia, judging from the accounts of his contemporaries. He emphasised that those who knew Agu from a distance could not ignore his charisma. “Ferdinand, we may not be contemporaries, but as a respectful individual, you carried yourself with a charisma that you cannot ignore. Personality is something naturally endowed. He was endowed. It is difficult to talk about him in the past, but the truth is that he is gone. To the family, if you turn around and see the galaxy of individuals here, it will give you some solace. If you also take a closer look at the qualities of individuals who have attended this occasion, it confirms what some of us know about Ferdinand. If your contemporaries are honest enough to say the truth about you, and if you are a liar, they will expose you quickly because they know you more than others,” he said.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker lamented that Agu’s sudden departure has left a void that words could scarcely describe, adding that his legacy, rich with generosity, compassion, and dedication, remains ever-present in the minds of people. Kalu added that Agu was more than a public servant; he was a beacon of hope and a pillar of strength for many. As the former DG of NIMASA and Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, he served Nigeria with distinction and honour.
“Ferdinand was a gentleman of profound kindness and humility. His life was a testament to the power of compassion and the impact one individual can have on countless lives. He reached out to those in need, offering not just material support, but a listening ear, a kind word, and a spirit of encouragement. His philanthropy was not about grand gestures but about the quiet, consistent acts of generosity that changed lives and built communities,” Kalu said.
Joining the litany of dignitaries that paid tribute, the Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Simon Okeke, described Agu as a lover of humanity and youths. He stressed that if it were possible to see God, he would have asked Him, “Why do you always take the good ones and leave the bad ones?”
A Director and spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS), Peter Afunnaya, described Agu as a tiger without harmful claws and an all-round intellectual giant. He further described him as “an academic giant, a humble, very analytical mind, and an almost perfect gentleman when it comes to the issue of academics.”
In her tribute, Tallen said she had known Agu for over 25 years, describing him as “reliable, dependable, committed, and a good man.” “It is so painful for me to stand here and talk about Ferdinand in the past. Apart from his intellectual capacity, he was simply phenomenal. Nigeria has lost one of its best. He lived an impactful life,” she noted.