Jeddy-Agba: A Governorship Aspirant At 56

Opinion

By Michael Jegede

Godwin Jeddy-Agba, an accomplished administrator and leading aspirant for the 2015 governorship contest on the platform of the supposed largest party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), clocked 56 years of age on August 20, 2014.

Born in Obudu, Cross River State, Jeddy-Agba obtained his first Degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria in 1983 and commenced his career in the public service at the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) in 1984 as an Administrative officer.

A Masters degree holder in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, the governorship hopeful in the course of his career, served as Personal Assistant to Ministers of FCT, Foreign Affairs and Petroleum Resources at different times in the military era.

He was appointed a Special Assistant to one-time Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Air Vice Marshall Hamza Abduallahi (retd) during the reign of retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).

In 1993, he joined the services of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC as Head, Market Research in the Crude Oil Marketing Division, COMD, where he rose through the rank to become the Group General Manager, GGM in April 2010.

Jeddy-Agba voluntarily resigned after thirty fruitful and rewarding years in the civil service in July this year to participate in the race for the Peregrino House in Calabar. The former crude oil marketer is the first son of HRH Uti J.D. Agba, the paramount ruler of Obudu Area Council presumed to be the longest serving traditional ruler in Cross River State. He has been on the throne for over 50 years and he is a three-time chairman of the state traditional rulers council.

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At age 56, many believe the ex-NNPC management staff can be said to be a happy man having lived a fulfilled life in his 30-year voyage in the civil service, where he is seen to have attained landmark achievements in the advancement of the cause of humanity. In felicitating with him on his birthday, his admirers described him as a man with a large heart whose huge investments in Cross River have put smiles on the faces of many Nigerians from the state. The kindheartedness, humility and simple nature of the Obudu Prince, observers noted, may have been the reason why the majority of Cross Riverians appear to prefer his candidature as the next Governor to take over power from Liyel Imoke in 2015. Various groups have so far endorsed him for the top job. One of such endorsements came from members of Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council as they resolved to throw their weight behind the son of one of their own.

Peter Alims is the coordinator of the door-to-door campaign organization for Jeddy-Agba from the central axis of Cross River State. Alims expressed the joy of his group over the life of Jeddy-Agba. According to him, “we are happy over Prince Goddy Jeddy-Agba’s attainment of 56 years on earth. Our happiness is not just because he attained 56 years. We are happy with him because at age 56 he has made tremendous impact in the lives of his people. This is why everybody wants him to be our governor. Even those that were formerly against him have no choice but to change their minds as they have come to realize that he has all it takes to govern and take the state to the next level. If as a civil servant he was able to add great value to the lives of our people and make great input to the growth and development of our dear state, you can imagine what this man will do for the state if he becomes the governor. We, the entire friends and followers of Jeddy-Agba congratulate him as he clocks 56 years. We pray God to grant him many more years of good health to serve his state and country. As a technocrat, entrepreneur and industrialist, we are sure that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the governance of Cross River state.”

Describing him as a visionary, purposeful, selfless and unassuming gentleman, Director-General of his campaign organization, Dr. Sandy Onor said: “Goddy Jeddy-Agba is indeed a great achiever at 56. I would say he is a man with an enviable pedigree, his father being the longest serving paramount ruler in Nigeria and having given his 30 years of meritorious service in NNPC, we believe that his coming will add plenty value to the tremendous task of transforming Cross River State. He is the right person to occupy the number-one seat in the state come 2015. Our people are solidly behind him because they know his worth. He is completely head and shoulders above other contestants both within and outside the PDP by his exposure, contacts and connection and by dint of the plethora of evidences of all that he has done in the state. The Godilogo Farm which is one of his investments in Cross River is a clear testimony of how to run a farm in a manner as to bring huge benefit to the community. In fact, he is a man for the now. As his campaign manager, I wish him well in his 56 birthday and I am optimistic that by the grace of God he shall become our Governor in 2015. Nobody can stop him except God.”

Upon Jeddy-Agba resignation from NNPC, a thanksgiving service was held in his honour at St. John Parish, Abuja where dignitaries at the occasion poured encomiums on him for the good work he did while in the corporation. His colleagues took turns to applaud him for his ability to always take certain initiatives and come up with ideas that have positively affected the fortunes of the NNPC, particularly in the area of policy formulation.

In the words of the then Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu who was recently sacked: “I met Jeddy-Agba long ago. The first time I called him was from Warri when I was having problem with something on the job. The way and manner he quickly promised to fix it and the urgency with which he solved the problem attracted my attention and since then I have taken note that he is a very diligent and competent worker. I do not wish people like this to leave the NNPC but at this juncture we cannot keep him anymore, he wants to leave and we have to let him go. That is the reason I suspended every other thing to be here today, I usually don’t do this for everyone.”

•Jegede, a media practitioner wrote from Abuja. Tel: 07065574368

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