‘THE inspiring acts of great men will often remind all to live a life sublime”; A didactic maxim of the Tibetan devoutness would say..
What could be a better inclined appellation for a gentlemanly Prince Goddy Jedy Agba, a blue blood (with no usual airs of royalty), who hailed from the kingdom of Obudu, a scenic countryside of Cross State, Nigeria, more known for its touristic splendour and unfettered hospitality?
Hurrah, as Jedy Agba, a consummate bureaucrat, farmer, politician, business man and author, is celebrating his 66th birthday, in a society where an average life spans about 50 years of age. Behold, Jedy Agba is a son to His Royal Majesty (HRM), Dr. Joseph Davies Agba, the Uti Item III of Utugwang, the Uti Ukani I of Obudu, a prominent and longest-serving monarch of the Cross River State Traditional Council, who was on the throne for over 60 years. He joined his ancestors not too long ago.
As demonstrative of a man who cherishes goodness and have filial attachment, Jedy Agba, instead of titling his biography to reflect himself, gave it honour his beloved father, as “Forward With Uti J. D Agba”. The bookwork, which was presented on 18 November, 2017, to the public, when the ‘departed king’ was still alive, aligned with testimonies that Jedy Agba is a compatible son, who was thoroughly bred.
This writer, being an ‘inquisitive’ journalist, who had reported and edited on several departments of the profession, came across a versatile Goddy Jedy Agba, in some of the capacities he had served (still serving) the country. This was only strictly on the cause of my profession. It was nothing personal.
But, not too long ago, my path with him had crossed on a personal basis, thus giving credence to the much that was told that he is, indeed, a Prince in name, as in his everyday life conduct.
About 1985, few months before the military putsch that brought in General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), as Nigerian head of state, as a freelance reporter to the Daily Times, I had the first official contact with a young and painstaking federal civil servant called Prince Goddy Jedy Agba. Although I didn’t know his official designation at the time, he had prevailed on an unwilling Information Director of the Federal Development Authority (FDA), Lagos, to oblige me and another reporter with the African Concord, the support to carry out a major report on a defacing part of the FESTAC satellite town, Lagos.
It was after some years as an Energy/Environment Desk Editor, of another print media, that I knew he was the a Senior Assistant Secretary to FDA, having joined the federal civil service as Assistant Secretary II, in 1984. Shortly after his position as a Special Assistant to the then Minister of Special Duties, records have it that he deplored in the same position, to serve the Secretary of State, both under the Presidency.
In about 1995, he moved to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), where he served as its Group General Manager of the Crude Oil Marketing Division. From here, he moved into politics, business and other private leisure,
For a likeable and hardworking personality, who had served (and continues to serve) the people, so diligently, it is seen that he had justified his strict upbringing and formal education,
In 1983, he obtained a first degree in International Relations Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and International Law and Diplomacy from the Lagos University. A very resourceful Jedy Agba had also gone undergone many trainings and other resource-based activities, within and outside the country, as needed by a federal bureaucrat and a topflight officer of a subsidiary of NNPC, the nation’s petroleum body.
As a result of his competence and urbane exposures, one would not have been surprised that Prince Jedy Agba was appointed a Minister of State for Power, a position in the immediate-past federal executive council, under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. Whilst serving herein, Dr. Jedy Agba had also justified a national award of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), earlier given him, with a additional solid performance in the ministry.
Goddy Jedy Agba has a tendency for the ‘Midas Touch’, a reference to the Greek mythology of one of its king, who was resourceful, so much so that whatever he touched was turned into money. Jedy Agba is said to be rich from hard work. But the vast riches will not tamper with his ‘unassuming and down to earth’ tendencies.
Too many inquiries about his free-giving nature, the debonair and free mixer, is said to readily retort in this manner; “Whatever a hand receives from me the other one should not know”
In his Cross River home-state, and around the country, where he has friends and socializes, the usual talk about him is of a jovial ‘Cross Riverian’ who has a second nature in cheerful and unconditional alms giving. More of the benign tales of his kind heartedness and generosity trickles down the lips of the mighty and the poor of the poor of Cross River.
With Prince Clem Agba, Edo born immediate-past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, I came to know Prince Jedy Agba, personally And both Princes Agba have some striking qualities going for them! Likeable and compatible they are!. ‘Goddy and Clem’ will dazzle watchers with their compelling personalities; calm, regal and cerebral!
Both were born by kings, who bore the same surname, Agba. People are bound to be confused if their first names are not added differently to ‘Prince Agba’. The two men were top players in the Nigeria’s petroleum industry, where they toiled and made names. Both were simultaneously appointed ministers of state, probably the first to be so in Nigeria’s history.
The duo’s wives hail from Edo State and are alumni of Bendel State University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Alli University) in the Edo State. Noticeably, Princess Beatrice Goddy Jedy Agba and Princess Catherine Orobosa Clem Agba, are true princesses, who look alike. They are both cerebral!
Remarkably, Beatrice,the Siamese wife of Jeddy Agba, who is from Uromi, Esan North East local government area of Edo, equally earns a good name, for societal fears, within and outside the country. Currently the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Justice, she was the czar of the National Agency for Prostitution and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Her exploits earned her the first Nigerian honoree of the US’ Department of State award of “Trafficking in Persons Hero”
As Prince Goddy Jedy Agba is wished a happy 66 birthday celebration on 20 August, 2024, good health and longevity are also desired for him, like his late father-king, HRM (Dr.) Joseph Davies Agba, the Uti Item III of Utugwang, the Uti Ukani I of Obudu, who passed on at a very old age!
Tony Erha is Abuja-based journalist and activist.
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