Anyim described Agu as the most intelligent man he met throughout his time in public service.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Senate President Anyim Pius has expressed sorrow over the death of his ally, Ferdinand Agu, a former Director General of the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA), which is now the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Agu died on Friday morning after suffering a heart attack.
A Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR), the deceased had his background in architecture.
In a heartfelt note made available to TheNiche on Saturday, Anyim described Agu as the most intelligent man he met throughout his time in public service.
“It was like a malaria induced dream. An early morning call came in to break the news,” Anyim wrote.
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“Obviously, I did not believe it. So I sought the phone number of the doctor at the clinic he was taken to, and he confirmed it. But I responded, ‘It may not be our own Ferdinand.’ I jumped out of bed to the clinic to behold my most dependable ally, lying lifeless. The most traumatic moment was to watch the ambulance move to the morgue.
“Mr. Fredinand Agu is the most intelligent man I have met in the whole stretch of my public service. He is most dependable and available at any point of need. Ferdinand, you think for me, you write for me and you advise me. What would happen to that body of knowledge, brilliance, and candour. What is life all about? You were not sick for one day. What is the meaning of cardiac arrest? What is the problem? Why now when the nation needs you most?
“God, please change your mind and send him back, for he has many set goals yet to accomplish and so much more to offer humanity. God, have mercy.”
Agu had numerous awards and recognitions under his belt, including Award of Excellence by The Conference of Commissioners for Commerce and Industry in Nigeria; distinguished National Merit Award in Transportation for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Transport Professionalism In Nigeria by The Centre For Transport Studies, Bisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria; Most Outstanding Maritime Personality Of The Year (2004) given By the 7th Maritime Media Award of The Maritime Media Ltd, etc.