WONDERFUL PROFILE OF SENATOR OVIE OMO-AGEGE: A LIFE OF HONOR, ACHIEVEMENT & GREATNESS

ATTORNEY, POLITICAL LEADER, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, CORPORATE EXECUTIVE, FEDERAL LAWMAKER, THOUGHT LEADER.

1.0. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Ovie Omo-Agege, a lawyer, consummate grassroots politician and mobiliser, public administrator, corporate leader and consummate thought leader on good governance and public service is a Senator of the Federal of Nigeria representing the Urhobo Nation and people of Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State.

2.0. EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

2.1. Born on 3rd August, 1963 into the famous Omo-Agege Family of Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Senator Omo-Agege is the son of the erudite and incorruptible Nigerian jurist, Justice James Omo-Agege and Ms. Francesca Okwendo of the Wanogho Royal Family, also of Orogun. He studied at St. George’s Grammar School, Obinomba in Ukwani LGA, Delta State. He showed early signs of rare leadership traits and abilities at St. George’s by his diligence, smartness, dignifying comportment and an attractive power of personal discipline, moral character and firmness on issues and with fellow students. These fine qualities guided his study of Law at the University of Benin where he graduated in1985. He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1986 after completing his professional legal training at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

3.0. WORK AFTER LAW SCHOOL

3.1. Omo-Agege had his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence of the Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police Force in 1987. Thereafter, he commenced a law career in the private law firm of Pat Okupa & Co. Here, he cut his legal teeth as a litigation attorney in criminal, corporate, banking, and commercial law, amongst others. He acquired requisite expertise and vast experience during his practice at Pat Okupa & Co.

3.2. Buoyed by his achievements and rating at Pat Okupa & Co., he moved to Lagos in 1989 and co-founded Agege & Co, a private law firm with special interests in corporate banking and commercial litigation matters.

4.0. SOJOURN IN THE UNITED STATES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

4.1. In 1990, Omo-Agege moved to the United States of America. He immediately assumed the position of a Foreign Associate in the Law Office of Charles O. Agege in Los Angeles, California. As a Foreign Associate, he counseled foreign clients on Nigeria law and prepared litigation strategies for clients. He anchored an extensive portfolio of responsibilities in matters involving personal injury, breach of contract, fraud, securities, real estate, banking, letters of credit and other financial instruments.

4.2. In 1992, Ovie Omo-Agege was admitted into and remains an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California, United States District Court (Central District of California) and the United States Supreme Court, Washington, DC. Almost thereafter, he founded the law firm of Agege & Associates also in 1992 as a Senior Partner. By 1996, Agege & Associates became Agege & Esin through a partnership merger. The new firm was naturally broader in scope, with operational scope involving international wire transfers, insurance, professional malpractice, suits against foreign entities under the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act (FSIA) and Domestic International Commercial arbitration, admiralty and marine litigation practices, and extensive criminal defence litigation.

4.3. In furtherance of his pursuit of excellence, Omo-Agege enrolled in the post-graduate law degree programme at Tulane University Law School, New Orleans where he obtained an LLM (Masters of Law) degree with distinction in 2002.

5.0. PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION

5.1. Armed with an impressive leadership account in law practice and desirous of continuing his family’s legacy of impacting the highest standard of excellence on society, Senator Omo-Agege effectively launched his political career in 2002 when he returned home from the United States. In that year, he sought to represent his people in the House of Representatives on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Though he did not succeed, he remained steadfast in his determination to contribute to the socio-economic development of his people.

5.2. With his fine repertoire of knowledge and huge experience in organised systems, he was appointed as the first Executive Assistant to the then Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori in 2003. His responsibilities in this role included formulation, implementation, coordination of government policy, monitoring and appraisal of Executive Council decisions to ensure compliance with administration set goals, pre-qualification of and monitoring of state project vendors. He was also the Government’s Chief Liaison Officer to the Presidency and the National Headquarters of PDP where he developed a vast network of leaders across Nigeria and outside the country.

5.3. As a result of his stunning performance, capacity to navigate complex challenges with amazing ease, proven ability to multi-task in fast-paced leadership and governance environments, and generally demonstrated leadership strengths, he was elevated to the State Executive Council as the Commissioner for Special Duties in 2005. Here, he had additional responsibility to oversee the privatisation programme of the state government. He successfully supervised the privatisation of African Timber and Plywood in Sapele.

5.4. As Commissioner for Special Duties, Omo-Agege was credited with the development of a robust and dynamic policy in the area of conflict resolution. His unique ability to adapt to complex situations manifested in the prompt release of hostages and recovery of large catches of small arms from youths involved in communal conflicts in the state. Also, his proven ability to manage and complete projects to the highest standards ensured the successful completion of critical projects of the government.

5.5. In 2007, he became the Secretary to State Government (SSG). As SSG, Omo-Agege brought an unusual dynamism and developmental strides to Delta’s public governance space. He strengthened the Office of Project Monitors to ensure full execution of government projects. He designed an efficient implementation architecture for the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

5.6. Buoyed up by his compelling leadership convictions and calls by a broad spectrum and critical mass of the people of Delta State to vie for the governorship office, Omo-Agege joined the race in 2006. He became a leading contender for the gubernatorial nomination of the PDP. He secured the highest delegates among contestants from his Senatorial district though Dr Emmanuel Udughan who later became the governor finally emerged as the party’s 2007 candidate. Omo-Agege also contested to be governor in 2011 but did not succeed.

5.7. Upon leaving government in 2007, Omo-Agege became the Chairman/CEO of Techsprings Limited, a dredging and oil services company based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He held this position until he was elected to the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015.

6.0. PHILANTROPY

6.1. Through the Ovie Omo-Agege Foundation, Senator Omo-Agege contributes to the upliftment of the human spirit and dignity. His imprints in the academic lives of Nigerian people, especially youths are better told by the people. To him, “I am just but God’s channel of hope to the wary in spirit to whom we owe our conscience and the Almighty God a duty to do our all to help whenever we can without discrimination.”

7.0.CONCLUSION

7.1. In recognition of his selfless service to humanity, Senator Omo-Agege has been conferred with numerous traditional titles including the Uvo of Mosogar, Obaisi of Ughelli, and Obaisi of Orogun. A confirmed Catholic, Ovie Omo-Agege, is happily married to Barrister (Mrs) Rosemary Omo-Agege and together, they have five children.