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Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, was born on the 16th of February, 1948 in Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. The name of his father is Chief Isaac Olorunfemi Agagu and the name of his mother is Mrs. Leah Omopelumi Agagu.
He attended St. Luke’s Anglican School, (now known as St. Paul’s Anglican School) Okitipupa, in 1954. In January 1958, he moved to live with his cousin, Edward Fagbohun in Ibadan, where he continued his primary education at Ebenezer African Church School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. He relocated to Kano in 1959 where he studied at the Ebenezer Methodist School and Baptist Primary School Sabon-Gari, Kano. He then moved back to Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan where he completed his primary education in 1960.
Dr. Olusrgun Kokuko Agagu attended Ibadan Grammar School between January 1961 and 1967. He was admitted to the University of Ibadan in 1968 to study Botany but later changed to Geology in which he graduated at the top of his class with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Geology in 1971.
As an undergraduate, his academic record was replete with laurels and prizes. He won three under-graduate scholarships namely the Western State Scholarship, the University of Ibadan Scholarship and the Gulf Oil Company Scholarship.
Upon graduation, he accepted the appointment to work as a geologist offered by the Gulf Oil Company (now Chevron). After 14 months, he resigned and took up employment at the University of Ibadan as an Assistant Lecturer in Geology. His new job at the university offered half his Gulf Oil salary but Dr Agagu’s love for intellectual rigour spurred him to continue at the University of Ibadan where he sought the opportunity to study for higher degrees
Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu obtained a master’s degree in Geology from University of Texas between 1973 and 1974, and later obtained a Ph.D. degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978. He taught Geology at the University of Ibadan for 16 years before voluntarily retiring as a Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department in 1988, having made up his mind early in life that he would retire from paid employment once he attained the age of 40 years. As an academic and researcher he published several articles in reputable national and international journals and also authored more than 100 technical reports.
Agagu belonged to many national and international professional bodies including the Geological Society of America, the Geological Society of Africa and the Association of Petroleum Geologists. He was also a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society and a Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists.
He was elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria from January 1992 to November 1993 during the Nigerian Third Republic, elected on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform. As the Deputy Governor in Ondo State, the combination of his knowledge as a Geologist, resourcefulness and his untiring efforts led to the State becoming an oil-producing state, a feat that massively expanded the economic base of the State.
Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as his first Minister of Aviation in 1999 and as Minister for Power and Steel between 2000 and 2002.
He resigned as a Federal Minister in November 2002 to contest the election as Governor of Ondo State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) . He won, and served as Ondo State Governor from May 2003 to February 2009.
Dr. Olusegun Agagu was a loving family man and was married to his school sweetheart and dance partner, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, for more than 39 years. Their union was blessed with three children.
Agagu passed away on 13 September 2013.
Today, we remember a great achiever Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu
May his soul rest in peace
Documented by Gbenga Olorunlana @lana’s library
References: https://en.wikipedia.org, https://olusegunagagufoundation.org, https://blerf.org, https://www.vanguardngr.com
#biography #documentary #history.
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