The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has described the Late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma, as a true professional who contributed immensely to the development of the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Chairman spoke when he led members of the Board and Management of the Commission on a condolence visit to the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. He was accompanied by the Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, the Executive Director Projects, Engr. Dr Samuel Adjogbe, the Rivers State representative on the NDDC Board, Hon Iboroma Harry and other directors.
He said: “The Late Attorney-General was not just a friend; he was a brother and a professional to the core who had very deep insight.
Senator Ndoma-Egba told the governor that the NDDC management and staff were citizens of Rivers State by virtue of the fact that the Commission’s headquarters was in Port Harcourt. He said: “As a Commission, we have come to formally register our condolences to you, the immediate family of Aguma and the people of Rivers State.
“The passing of Aguma is not just a loss to Rivers State; it is a loss to the Niger Delta region because he was an outstanding legal professional from the region. We pray that having done his bit on this side of existence, he will find eternal rest in the bosom of his maker.”
The NDDC Chairman prayed God to grant the people of Rivers State the fortitude to bear the great loss, noting that those he left behind would take solace in the quality of life that he lived while on earth.
He remarked: “A few weeks ago, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, had a meeting in Port Harcourt. It was very well attended but I noticed that unusually, the Attorney-General, Hon Emmanuel Aguma, a very active member of the Bar was not at the meeting. It was quite strange because it was uncharacteristic of him. So, when a few days later we got the very sad news that he passed on, I tried to make the connection.”
In his remarks, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike noted that Aguma’s death was a loss to the people of the region. We lost a very committed, loyal and intelligent lawyer. He thanked the Board and Management of the NDDC for the condolence visit.
Wike said: “We thank God for the quality of life that Aguma lived while on earth. We urge the NDDC to participate in his funeral.”
Governor Wike said that the Government and people of Rivers State would honour the Late Attorney-General by giving him a State Burial, stating that his contributions were greater than his age.
He presented invitation letters to the NDDC Chairman for the burial ceremonies of the late Attorney-General.
Senator Ndoma-Egba and Mr Ekere later signed the condolence register in front of the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House.
NDDC Chairman, MD Commiserate with Aginighan, Nunieh Families
Also, members of the Board and Management of the NDDC, have paid a condolence visit to the families of its one time Acting Managing Director, the late Pastor Power Aginighan and the late Senator Cyrus Nunieh at their homes in Port Harcourt.
The NDDC delegation included the Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, the Executive Director Projects, Engr. Dr Samuel Adjogbe, the representative of River State on the NDDC Board, Hon Iboroma Harry, and other directors of the Commission.
Senator Ndoma-Egba urged Deaconess Ames Aginighan, the widow and other members of the family to grieve like Christians who have hope in resurrection, noting that as mortals we were in no position to question God.
The NDDC Chairman said that the loss of P. Z Aginighan, his son Tammy and police escort, was tragic and heart-breaking. “We have come to mourn with the family and share the pains of these difficult times,” he said.
He acknowledged the contributions of Aginighan to the achievements of the NDDC and the development of the Niger Delta region, stating that the history of the Commission would not be complete without underlining his efforts.
Senator Ndoma-Egba noted that matters of life and death were the exclusive preserve of God, stating: “It is not an area the Almighty wants to share with man because he cannot shares his divinity with man. We trust in his will and we trust in his judgement.
“For those of us who are alive, we can only take solace in the quality of life he lived. It is not the length of our years but the life in those years that matter.”
A representative of the family, Dr Ayakeme Whisky, stated that Aginighan, occupied many important positions in the NDDC, including serving as Executive Director, Finance and administration, and the Acting Managing Director.
The NDDC delegation also paid a condolence visit to the family of Senator Cyrus Nunieh who died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.
The NDDC Chairman observed that the late Senator Nunieh h
ad an amazing sense of responsibility, commitment, passion, competence and courage. Even in his old age, his zeal to serve humanity never waned.
Senator Ndoma-Egba sympathised with the widow and children of the elder statesman over what he described as a grave loss. He remarked that Nunieh would be remembered for his contributions towards the Ogoni struggle for self-determination.
He said: “We commiserate with the family at this time of grave loss. It is our hope that the family members and others whose lives have been touched positively by him will continue to draw inspiration and be consoled by his life.”
One of the daughters of the late Senator, Joi Nunieh, eulogised her father, stating that Nigerians would remain indebted to him for his contributions over the years to improving the cause of justice and the judicial process.
