Obarisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege Celebrates With the Amioku's

Sir (Chief) Tom Amioku on Sunday held a special thanksgiving Mass and reception to celebrate his appointment as the Commissioner representing Delta State on the governing board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at St'

Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State.

The leadership of Urhobo Political Congress (UPC), under the Chairmanship of former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Obarisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege rejoice with Tom Amioku on his thanksgiving service to God for his blessing upon his family especially on his appointment as Commissioner representing Delta State on the governing board of NDDC.

The group also expressed its gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for the appointment of Amioku.

Omo-Agege personally expressed his joy and gratitude to Amioku on his appointment saying, ”My family and I is happy to associate with you in this great moment of joy as we all thanked God for his rare privilege of your appointment as NDDC Commissioner representing Delta State. Over the years, you distinguished yourself as an astute politician, administrator and community leader. We pray that God will guide and promote you more to greater height.”

Omo-Agege is an Urhobo Patriot, Not a Betrayal-Urhobo Youth Leader

Olorogun Omovudu Jaro-Egbo is a legal luminary and an Urhobo Youth leader who has held prominent positions in different Urhobo pressure groups. Presently, he is Special Aide to Delta State Governor on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Affairs. In this interview with our Correspondent, Egbo who has been a close watcher of Chief Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege speaks on the dynamic leadership qualities of the former Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG) describing him as the pillar of Urhobo unity.

Excerpts:

Being close associate of Chief Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, can you tell the people what you know about him?

When Chief Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege was Executive Assistant to former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori , I worked with him as Special Assistant. While working with him, I knew him at close quarter as a dynamic leader, kind hearted, straight forward and who do not support foot blacking. People think he is not open, but if you get close to him, you will know that he is a man that has the interest of the people at heart. Today, I am having my country home ‘Camp Moses’ because of his generosity. He does not believe that his followers should wallow in poverty. I will tell you the background of this my house. He gave me money to buy this land and he saw to it that the place was properly developed. I am just one of them. There are so many out there whom he changed their fortunes. It was when Omo- Agege came into politics that people use development of his followers as point of reference of progress. It was then people knew they should have leaders in politics. It is not following leaders in hired vehicles, but they should have their own. I am living example of Omo-Agege generosity. 

He is somebody who is always with his people either during merriments or grief periods. He has a dream for Delta State believing that the state is yet to achieve his potentials. In the first tenure of Uduaghan, they were apart, but since he came board, you can see developmental projects everywhere. What you are seeing Uduaghan doing presently are the things Omo-Agege dreamt of for Delta State. A state where you do not rely only on oil, but we can talk about agriculture, provision of employment, affordable housing, drinkable water and other social amenities that will better the lives people. He is a patriot to the core. While he was in America, he was very active in Urhobo activities. People misunderstood who he is, but they are recently getting to know that he is man who has the course of Urhobo land and Delta State at heart. He is somebody who did not believe that he should own everything in the world. He believes in sharing with the people. I can beat my heart that if giving any responsibility, he will perform beyond the expectation of the people. God has blessed him so abundantly that he did not need to steal government money to create comfort. He is somebody who is focus and well articulated. You will also know that the name Omo-Agege is brand name in Delta State. The father served in various part of Africa before he became Chief Judge of Delta State. Before his mother died, he was Assistant Director in Ministry of Agriculture. Public service is in the blood of the Omo-Ageges. They are like the Kenedy’s family in America.

What is your take on the rumour making the rounds that Chief Ovie Omo-Agege betrayed the Urhobos for allegedly stepping down for Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007 election and by refusing to join forces with Chief Great Ogboru in 2011 election?

The fact is that those saying Chief Ovie Omo-Agege betray Urhobo course do not know Omo-Agege. I can say I played a key role in the event that led to the Ogwachi-Ukwu primaries and after the Ogwachi-Ukwu primaries. I know too well that it was Ovie Omo-Agege who insisted that he would not step down for anyone. When the heat was on and some of the black legs were sponsoring candidates everywhere, we went to Osubi where we did a mock primaries for Urhobo candidates so that we can produce one candidate. At the end of the day, Ovie Omo-Agege emerged as the winner. Urhobos suppose to go to Ogwachi-Ukwu with Omo-Agege as their sole candidate, but other aspirants placed their personal political fortune over and above Urhobo’s interest. 

That is why the likes of Late Senator Pius Ewherido, O’tega Emerhor, Obule, Ejaife Odebala and couple of other Urhobo candidates participated in the primaries. If they have succumbed to Urhobo producing one candidate, Omo-Agege would have emerged the governorship candidate of PDP in Delta as sum total of all their votes put together would have been more than any candidate from other ethnicity . How has a man who refused to step down against all entreaties betray the Urhobo course? Who is a betrayer? Is it the man who won the primaries at Ogwachi-Ukwu where Urhobos would have presented one candidate or those who refused to step down for him and went to the election and split Urhobos votes thereby making Urhobos lost the election? I believe that with time, history will tell. Besides, if Omo-Agege stepped down for Uduaghan, he would have participated in Uduaghan’s government. It would be recalled that when it became impossible for him to contest under PDP, he left the party and went on to contest against Uduaghan to the extent of contesting in an unknown party, the RPN just to show that he would not allow Uduaghan. People talk about not joining forces with Ogboru. Did Ogboru call Omo-Agege to a round table discussion? 

Rather, he (Ogboru) went on national television calling Omo-Agege names. Is that how you step down for people? If they are saying he betrayed Urhobos for not stepping down for Ogboru, how would they describe Ogboru’s refusal to step down for Chief James Ibori? This last Delta Central Senatorial election showed those who love Urhobos and those who did not love Urhobos. It is painful that Omo-Agege is being victimised for nothing. My joy is that the Urhobo leadership is now aware of it. 

There are many political groups like Urhobo splitter groups making waves. As an Urhobo youth leader, what strategy are you people putting in place to put these different groups under one umbrella so that Urhobo can form a united political front in 2015?

Urhobo by its size is bigger than hundred countries out of the two hundred and twenty two countries on planet earth and as such do not expect everybody to have one focus. The paramount thing is that whether we have ten or fifteen groups the interest of Urhobo should be paramount. What I will not support is when some of these groups are being sponsored by candidates from Delta North to divide the Urhobos. Now lets come to Urhobo Political Congress (UPC). Before UPC came up it was Urhobo Political Forum (UPF). There were the core groups lead by Chief Amori and those who were Urhobo stakeholders. There was this competition between the two groups. Our leader then, Chief James Ibori advised that the two groups should come together. That was what give birth to Urhobo Political Forum (UPF) with Amori as the National President, while I am the National Secretary. But when I discovered that the group was derailing, I resigned my office as the secretary. 

We, however, came together to say this division will not help us. We have lost the governorship, we have no minister and there is nothing to show. We agreed to come together again and form UPC with Amori as the Chairman. It was then a vacuum was created as a result of the death of Pius Ewherido. When Amori made his decision to run for the position of the Senate, we had a meeting and advised him not to contest because of what happened in last governorship election. But he insisted that he would contest. In the rush to contest, he formed Urhobo Political Association. He was not satisfied with that and decided to resuscitate the defunct UPF. It was in this struggle that the candidature of Chief Emmanuel Aguariavbodo emerged. Coming to the issue of the election of Ovie Omo-Agege as chairman of UPC. He has the wherewithal and the charisma of a chairman. We invited him to come and lead the group. We are in a political low tide and this is the time we need an able captain to lead us out of the trouble water. It show that they are getting to know Omo-Agege as someone who had the wherewithal, the intellect and the charisma to lead the people. That is why they confirmed him as Chairman of the group. If you see the programme he had drawn up as he emerged as the chairman, it is glaring that we shall celebrate him in the near future. Because we believe that he is somebody who carry everybody along. Somebody who can spend his own fortune to make sure that our interest is protected and what is due to us is giving to us. We are already reaching our brothers in other groups to join forces us so that at the end of the day, the interest of the Urhobos will supercede other interest.

As an Urhobo youth leader, if Chief Ovie Omo-Agege comes up day to seek elective post to any prominent position in the country will you support him? If yes, or no, why?

He has my express support. I have watched and studied him at close range and I know what he is capable of doing.

In the last Senatorial election, Omo-Agege showed interest but later withdrew from the race and backed Aguariavwodo during the election proper. How would you describe his action?

His action showed that he is a matured leader and a team player. He spent money and his time in supporting Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo. That showed that he is a party man and that whatever the party decides he will abide by it. That whatever the people say he will abide by it. It is an evolution that all of us are happy about it. It showed that for you to be a leader, you must abide by the term of the followership. A leader cannot exist in isolation.

Sir, what is your advice to the people so as to having a change of mind about their negative belief on the person of Chief Ovie Omo-Agege?

I would not say his image was dented. But that is not to say that there have not been rumours here and there. But those fog, those rumour and hear say have been cleared to a large extent by two events that occurred recently. His coming back to PDP, the role he has been playing in the party and his agreeing to tow the line of the party and stepping down for Aguariavwodo and supporting him to the fullest.

What role will say Ovie Omo-Agege played in the unity of Urhobo?

Chief Ovie Omo-Agege had played prominent roles in the unity of Urhobo people. The recent was that there were some people who wanted to create division in the ranks and files of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Omo-Agege was at the forefront of making sure the issue was resolved and Urhobo stay united more than ever. Will a man who is betraying Urhobo support the fractionalization of UPU or will he support that UPU should remain the oldest and dynamic socio-cultural organization? Omo-Agege stood for the later. It was this entire role that made people to invite him to come and lead UPC. In the last UPU election, there were those who wanted to cause stalemate within UPU but we said no, arguing that our fathers did not tell us this is how to run UPU. The roles Omo-Agege played had shown that he is a true patriot. Those calling him betrayer are those betraying Urhobos. Those are the people who go to Delta North to pick money to contest election in UPU. We have got the intelligent report. What is the interest of somebody who is not from Delta Central in UPU?

As someone who has been following Omo-Agege in and out of government can you enumerate some of his achievements?

His achievements are numerous. He played a role in ward creation by ensuring that we got our twenty wards. He executed several projects. He influenced Orogun road project and even Ughelli road dualisation. His achievements on employment are too numerous to be mentioned. I can assure you that he brought in so many projects to Urhoboland. He employed and empowered so many of our people. He also contributed so much to Urhobo political evolution.

People said those Omo-Agege empowered later turn around to fight him. Do agree to that statement?

Yes. it is those he assisted that later turned against him and stabbed him on the back. It is they who are going about giving him bad names. But the question I am asking is that those he assisted and later turned against him, where are they in politics today? Be that as it may, I do not want him to be deterred. He should continue with his kind gesture, good work and unity of Urhobo nation. Even Jesus Christ was betrayed.

What are the leadership qualities of Chief Ovie Omo-Agege?

They are numerous. He is focus. He is a cerebral person. He is somebody who love his people. He carry his people along and empowered them. He has this personal touch with everyone.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE IS THE URGENT NEED OF THE TIME – Omo-Agege

There is no doubt that Nigeria is a country that is so remarkably blessed with great material and human resources but is too structurally defective to develop. The federal setup in the first republic which guaranteed the regional governments’ greater autonomy and significant resources and responsibilities delivered competition fed great leaps among the constituent regions. If it had not been disrupted, it is safe to say Nigeria would be much further ahead than it is presently.

The military intrusion into governance inflicted a lot of damage that still bedevil our nation. First, following the failure of the first military coup, the leader that emerged, General J T U Aguiyi Ironsi centralised authority under a unitary system of government but retained regional governments which still had their fiscal autonomy. Second, even though leaders of the second coup succeeded in taking control of government, that coup led to a serious crisis that eventually led to the civil war. 

As part of strategies to prosecute the war, General Gowon’s military government dismantled the regional system of government and created twelve states in a cosmetic federal system. Cosmetic because, General Gowon’s military government went a step further to decree and vest political authority and fiscal prerogative in the central government which transferred various responsibilities of the federating units to the central government. Since then, successive governments simply added more responsibilities to the federal government, creating an all-powerful central government, adding more layers of bureaucracy and barriers to efficient delivery of public services.

Undeniably, centralisation has been a disaster for Nigeria yet successive governments have refused to relinquish control to the federating units even though the civil war which was used as excuse for centralisation of authority ended 44 years ago. The present federal system is so ridiculously lopsided that the federal government now issues drivers and marriage licenses. 

Decades of centralisation have left our country in its most precarious situation since independence. Centralisation has resulted in massive rural – urban migration that has created congested urban cities, over dependence on oil as source of revenue, unhealthy and divisive competition for central power, corruption and ethnicity.

 The consequence is that after a century of amalgamation, fifty three years of independence, and fourteen years of unbroken democratic rule, Nigeria is yet to resolve the problem of nation building and achieve its vast potential as a truly great nation. Rather, we are more divided than ever before, burdened by the weight of massive unemployment, ethnic and religious intolerance, general insecurity and insurgency that are threatening the very existence of the Nigerian state. With this kind of overwhelming burden, our nation has made little progress and in many cases taken giant leaps backwards.  

It is against this dismal background that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has offered Nigerians a national conference to reconstruct the Nigeria project to deliver on the promises and potentials we have dreamed of. For too long, we have kicked the can down the road pretending that Nigeria is working when it is clearly not working; creating a deficit that has slowed our nation down, so much that the vast pool of the unemployed feeds a significant part of the insecurities that is apparent to all.

For the first time in our history, a President is offering a national conference, knowing that its outcome will take away some of his powers. This is truly sacrificial, transformative and unprecedented leadership of a President who is determined to leave Nigeria much better than he met it, structurally equipped to match into the future to deliver on the long delayed promise of unchained greatness. We must use this opportunity well.

A successful national conference will decentralise the federal government’s vast political and fiscal powers, devolve policy competences to the federating units and restrict the power of intervention by the federal government. More powers and resources to the states and local governments will enable them to deliver people oriented projects and develop at their own pace and recreate the competitive atmosphere that existed when Nigeria had regions.

In spite of our diversity, all Nigerians are united by our common challenges of insecurity, unemployment and hopes of a better future. Let all of us keep our eyes on the ball, on the goal of a better, fairer and more just Nigeria to defeat those who want to keep all of us standing on the same spot.

When our nationalist leaders were faced with a similar challenge of designing a constitution after independence, they put aside their doubts and fears about the amalgamation of 1914 and devised the 1963 federal constitution to foster our diversity and fortify our nation. This was why the regional system of government worked. So it must be for this generation of leaders who have been chosen to represent us at the national conference.  

At this defining moment for our nation, the National Conference is the urgent need of the time and delegates must set aside their doubts and fears and embrace the command of consensus and compromise. They should listen to one another and appreciate each other’s point of view and position on the issues. With courage and compassion added to their moral fiber, the delegates will be able to take the big decisions that will change the trajectory of Nigeria. There is no doubt in my mind that a successful national conference will radically and positively transform our nation and affect the well-being of us all, north and south, rich and poor, Christians and Muslims, men and women, young and old.

A very interesting dialogue between Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto,  captured in John Paden’s book is very informative, instructive and a pointer to why this national conference is crucial. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe had said to Ahmadu Bello, “Let’s forget our differences…” to which Ahmadu Bello had responded, “No, let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a Northerner. You are a Christian, an Easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.” 

Through the years we have tried so hard to forget our differences but the time has come to understand our differences and turn them into strengths to build a united nation because in spite of the time spent in the wilderness, Nigeria is not beyond salvage. All it will take is undivided commitment from all the delegates to understand the issues and design a structure that will serve the nation well.

The conference delegates don’t have to look far to other lands to find solutions. All they have to do is to look back to our first republic and return to the core principles of true federalism adopted by our nationalist leaders before the advent of oil and bequeathed to us in 1963 constitution that made Nigeria work before. With a national conference we all own, Nigeria will finally find its feet and match into the future, a people united by a shared desire to forge a great nation out of the fires of today’s Nigeria.

Obarisi (Barr.)Ovie Omo-Agege.

Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Delta State and National Chairman Urhobo Political Congress

UPC is poised to champion the course of Urhobo nation – Barr. Omo-Agege.

The National Chairman, U P C, Chief Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege has said, the organisation is ready to champion the course of Urhobo nation. He stated this while briefing the press after an exclusive meeting of the body in Ekpan, Delta State recently.

The National Chairman who spoke through the Publicity Secretary, Chief Ebenezer Okorodudu said, the organisation has fashioned ways to move, not only Urhobo nationality forward, but to relate with other ethnic groups in order to move the state and the country at large forward. 

He said, while the organisation structure of the U P C remained unchanged, he said, the organisation has discussed variety of issues, including how to re – invigorate the almost at – the – point – of – death Delta Steel Company (DSC) Ovwian Aladja, Delta State. 

He said, the company in some years ago, used to employ many people and many clinics benefited from the company by rendering services to it. But today, the company is in a sorry state. So, the organisation (UPC) considered it expedient to put technical committee in place to reach the Federal Government on the need to re – invigorate the company. 

On 2015 general election, the National Chairman, said the body is just a pressure group within the P D P structure and will not do anything to truncate PDP. His words; “The U P C is just a pressure group within, P D P structure. And it is the only genuine political group in the state”. He said, the body is poised to foster unity of not only Urhobo nation, but other nationalities in the state, and the country at large.

Culled from Urhobo Times – Written By Ogude Samuel

Omo-Agege Hails Jonathan’s Courage Of Conveying National Conference

As delegates to the National Conference arrived at Abuja on Monday to kick start deliberations on resolving issues affecting Nigeria, former Secretary of State to Delta State Government (SSG), Obarisir (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege has commended the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan for offering a national conference knowing that its outcome would take away some of his powers. 

Omo-Agege in a paper titled, “National Conference is the Urgent Need of the Time” made available to our correspondent said Jonathan’s action is truly sacrificial, transformative and unprecedented leadership of a President who is determined to leave Nigeria much better than he met it and structurally equipped to match into the future of delivering on the long delayed promise of unchained greatness.  

Advising the delegates to make good use of the opportunity, Omo-Agege who is the Chairman of Urhobo Political Congress (UPC) pointed out that a successful deliberation at the conference would unite the country more than ever.  

He advised delegates on the need to listen to one another and appreciate each other’s point of view and position on the issue, adding that with courage and compassion added to their moral fiber, they would be able to take the big decisions that would change the trajectory of Nigeria. 

According to him, “At this defining moment of the nation, the national conference is the urgent need of the time and delegates must set aside their doubts and fears and embrace the command of consensus and compromise. There is no doubt in my mind that a successful national conference will radically and positively transform our nation and affect the well-being of us all, North and South, rich and poor, Christians and Muslims, men and women, young and old.”  

He recalled that through the years, Nigerians have tried so hard to forget their differences but the time has come to understand their differences and turn them into strengths so as to build a united nation, adding that in spite of the time spent in the wilderness, Nigeria is not beyond salvation. 

“All it will take is undivided commitment from all the delegates to understand the issues and design a structure that will serve the nation well,” he opined. 

He suggested that the conference delegates don’t have to look far to other lands to find solutions to Nigerian problems, stressing that all they have to do is to look back to the nation’s first Republic and return to the core principles of true federalism adopted by country’s nationalist leaders in 1963 constitution before the advent of oil.

Obarisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege, LLM, LLB, BL

Ovie Omo-Agege, LLM, LLB, BL, was born on the 3rd of August 1963, the year Nigeria attained republican status. A son of Justice James Omo-Agege, one time Chief Judge of Delta State, Ovie attended various primary schools across Nigeria, before proceeding to the famous St. George’s Grammar School, Obinomba near Obiaruku in Delta State, where he demonstrated rare diligence, discipline and leadership qualities.

Ovie’s quest for academic excellence took him to the University of Benin, Benin-City where he took a degree in Law. His experience in Benin moulded under the tutelage of the redoubtable Professor Itse Sagay and other inspiring law scholars that made law studies memorable and humanizing was to mark a turning point in Ovie’s view of life and the Nigerian experience. It was at this point that he began to envision ideals that could engender selfless and progressive leadership that would turn the people’s fortune for good. By the time he graduated from Benin with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1985, his vision for dynamic leadership had crystallized. 

 With the LLB in his kitty, Ovie proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos for the mandatory one year professional training. A year later, 1986, he passed the qualifying Bar examination, and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Between 1986 and 1987, he actively participated in the compulsory 12 month National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Kwara State. He served most diligently in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence of the Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police Force. 

 Ovie’s sojourn on the turf of active legal practice began after the NYSC stint in 1987. He had his pupilage at PAT OKUPA & CO, a firm of astute lawyers in Benin-City. By 1989, he had cut his teeth, and moved on to begin a partnership known as AGEGE & CO in Lagos, Africa’s largest urban centre. In less than two years of charting the complex waters of legal practice in Lagos, Ovie took his legal advocacy beyond the shores of Nigeria. 

 It was thus in a blaze of legal glory that Ovie sojourned to God’s Own Country, the United States of America, to continue his flourishing legal career in 1990. California in Los Angeles, which is reputed to be one of America’s most advanced cities, was where Ovie anchored as an Attorney. He most commendably engaged in extensive litigations involving personal injury, breach of contract, fraud, securities and real estate as a foreign associate in the law office of CHARLES O. AGEGE. However, two years later in 1992 he became founder and senior partner in AGEGE & ASSOCIATES, where he extended his legal tentacles to such lucrative spheres of engagement like business and commercial litigation, banking, mergers and acquisitions, among others. 

 In 1996, his law enterprise expanded into a bigger partnership called AGEGE & ESIN. His new interest covered the Midas touch areas like insurance, international wire transfers, foreign litigations, arbitrations, admiralty and marine litigation, marine pollution, etc. The landmark of his legal exploits in the US is manifested in his admission into the State Bar of California, the United States District Court, California, and the United States Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.

 Having undergone the rigours of legal practice on-shore and off-shore, Ovie took time off to embark on a higher academic engagement by studying for a post-graduate degree in Law at Tulane University Law School, New Orleans. He obtained the LL.M (Master of Laws) degree with distinction in 2002, a most remarkable academic feat.

 Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999. Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege felt the tug to return to Nigeria and contribute to nation building especially, his beloved Delta State. On arrival in Nigeria, in 2002, Ovie went to the grassroots in his native Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area, where he pitched his political tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 He became an active and loyal party man around whom many party faithfuls rallied. As part of his people driven vision, he ran for the Primaries of the Ughelli Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives in 2002. He didn’t make it, but resolved to stick with the PDP despite tempting offers from other political parties. 

 Ovie’s loyalty, diligence, intelligence and allegiance to the PDP project were the sterling qualities that endeared him to the then Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori who appointed him as the first ever Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State in 2003. 

In spite of the shortcomings of that era, Ovie can be credited with the most dynamic interventions witnessed in the State, especially in the area of conflict resolution which manifested in the prompt release of hostages and recovery of small arms, the winding up and completion of all projects of the Ibori administration. 

 Ovie’s political fortunes gained ascendancy in 2005 when he became a Commissioner for Special Duties in Delta State. His verve, vision, and drive to make government progress driven for the good of the people were his magic wand. In that capacity he got immersed in the nitty-gritty of what it takes to run a State. 

 In mid 2006, Ovie threw his hat into the ring as a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP. Ovie ran one of the most exciting and well organized campaigns that made all to thumb up for him. Although, he didn’t get the party’s ticket, he remained a solid pillar of the party in the State and beyond. He was quite resonant in the popular consciousness. 

 In January 2007, Ovie became the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). His roller coaster political career is indeed the story of which epics are made. As SSG, Ovie brought an unusual dynamism and development stride to the affairs of Delta State. If there was ever an SSG that the people of Delta carried in their hearts endearingly, it was Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege.

This young, visionary Statesman is happily married with children. In appreciation of his selfless service to humanity, he has been conferred with numerous traditional titles including the Ugo of Mosogar, Obarisi of Ughelli, Obarisi of Orogun, among others.