Prince Clem Agba: Is he worth celebrating?

By: Macbeth Ojugbeli

The ‘eulogy’ behind his dexterity has gone beyond human kindness but an innate aura which cannot fade irrespective of his political involvement or personality built.
Prince Clem Agba has written his name on a rock with a pearl which finely establish that from generation to generation, it remains. His legacy is worthy of emulation owing to his meticulous and dogged nature.

Even as it is well said that ‘a good man becomes otherwise when he tastes Nigeria’s politics,’ that is far from Agba. He has guarded his reputation with diligence and has kept faith for the benefit of his people, and Edo state in general.
Maybe, some persons will bear grudge and call Macbeth a sycophant, but is President Muhammadu Buhari one too? Is he also my colleague in sycophancy? Only recently, he finely complimented Prince Agba for his good and diligent effort in duty and actualization.
“I am very impressed with the professional description by the commissioner, how he has done the drainage and how he has done the road to make it last. This shows great commitment and God almighty reward you for your good intentions and for your love for your constituency,” President Buhari said of Agba, Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities at the commissioning of Upper Siluko Road, Benin City.                        
Is it not said a golden fish has no hidden place? This maxim holds true for Prince Agba; a loyal and proud son of Uzanu Kingdom. His identity remains a hope for the hopeless; he remains that benevolent man in whom others find solace in.
From his political commitment to his foundation, he continues to show how truthful, transparent and credible a man can be, irrespective of all odds.

The true words of Clem Agba:

Sir, can we get to know you?
I am Prince Clem Agba. I hail from Uzanu in the South East Uneme clan. My father was the king; the Oliola, that is why I am a prince.

You were one of those in the forefront of actualizing the Uzanu clan, what were the challenges that you encountered?
You are correct, it was not something that one person did. It is a collective glory. It is not Uzanu Clan but South East Uneme Clan. It is a product of the State Executive Council. A couple of what happened made the need for the clan. Uzanus  are  Uneme people, and we are neighbours to Weppa – Wanno and others. Sometimes, there is a misconception as to where we belong because of our geographic location. Before now, our clan was in Anegbetteh and most people misconceived and assumed a role they never were not. This and a couple of other things made it pertinent for the state executive council to create a separate clan.

What was your drive behind leaving Chevron, several times, to serve in Edo state under Governor Adams Oshiomole?
At a stage, Edo State was going through some serious problems and needed to be rescued. A couple of us kept on putting pressure on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to contest election and lead the revamping of the state. And when that was actualised, he wanted some of us to join him since we were part of the vision of what he wanted to do for the state so he called on us and gave us roles to play and the rest like they say is history.

It is rumoured you played a critical role in organising and financing Oshiomhole’s sojourn in politics. How true is that and can we know more about it?
I just spoke about the role I played. I know a lot of us made contributions here and there. So not one person could have funded the campaign; little drops of water here and there make an ocean. Did I spend? Yes! Is it that much to make a difference?  Maybe!  But a combination of contributions from different people resulted in what we had.

What do you intend to achieve with the Clem Agba Foundation which helps Hepatitis patients?
The foundation is in memory of my late mother and my late brother in-law. My mother passed away a few years ago, precisely November 29, 2012 and the immediate cause was cancer but the remote cause when it was traced was hepatitis. After her death, my brother in-law, Victor also died of same disease. So we decided to create a foundation which helps to create awareness about these deadly diseases; more deadly than HIV which people give prominence. After creating awareness, if the finance is there we go into free testing and providing preventive measure for those who tested negative.

You run the foundation with your wife, Catherine, how is that so?
First, she is the foundation of the foundation. Without her we probably would have been in the thought stage. She encouraged me to set up a foundation and as the vice president, she runs the foundation because she got more time than I do. More so, she is my wife; the two are one so they are inseparable.

Base on your benevolent attitude, you have supported several community development programmes and provided annual health delivery in your community. Where does this usually take place?
The health delivery in the community is not an annual programme. As part of the Clem Agba Foundation we are moving from one area to another. We have medical outreach in Benin City for instance at the State Central Hospital; we have gone to Akoko Edo where we created awareness and free testing to the bike riders. And when we started, we launched it at Auchi Township Stadium.
Since I am from Uzanu, there was need to take it to my people. There are other things we do on a yearly basis especially during the end of  year Christmas activities but the health delivery is not an annual issue specific to my village, we just pick different locations depending on where we feel a lot of people are vulnerable.

From our evaluation, you were the most popular and respected person in Oshiomhole’s cabinet as the commissioner for environment and public utilities. What was your experience like?
You did the evaluation not me, I didn’t know I was the most popular person in the cabinet but I knew that I had to do my job. It was clear to me what my boss wanted to achieve and what he wanted me to do. I mean annually what my key performances are and I knew how I was definitely going to be measured.
Coming from the background of Chevron and my experience in management, with all the teaching and leadership skills that have been imparted on me. I had to excel and use them for the benefit of the state. So, if you say I came out to be the most popular and respected, well, first, I give God the glory and I also want to thank Chevron for all their teaching, learning and training that they have provided. And I must also thank the governor because if he was not supportive, then, there will be little that one can achieve. He gave me all the support that I needed to do my work.

Do you intend to hold a bigger political position?
“Did you say in the state or Country” (In the country sir), “laughs”, well make me your president and see if I will refuse. In life everyone wants to grow whether politically or otherwise.

How do you combine and balance your role as a politician, community leader, political appointee and an administrator at Chevron?
I came back to Chevron in December and I do my work strictly; most of my time is devoted to Chevron. And do not forget I was on a leave of absence so I was in hibernation from Chevron which actually gave me time to work at the other end. There is no way one can combine both at same time, otherwise one will suffer.

You have been found focused, straight forward, reliable and keeping to promises. What is your drive to upholding this despite tasting political position?
Yea! Thanks for all the encomiums. First, I believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life. And because of my belief in God, I like to treat everyone equally and with love. I also believe that everyone has to do everything well i.e. what is worth doing, is worth doing well. You don’t have to discriminate and you have to do everything with high level of integrity. And integrity where I work is placed very high due to our Chevron ethics. So I believe those things are innate because when you are in an organisation, the organisation culture shows in you and I am glad you said I brought that in my work on the state.

What is your sincere take about the country’s present situation; economy, corruption, international relations?
I think Nigerians have gone through a lot in the past and that a lot of adjustments need to be done. That is if Nigerians want to ‘eat omelet, then we have to break eggs.’ I think what is going on is that process of breaking eggs. It is just like delivery, you can’t have children without going through pain.  Every mother went through that, it is what we are going through now and I think it is a necessary thing for us to rekindle our support for our country; for us to know that we have really gone wrong in many areas being so mono-dependent, abandoning agriculture and the rest of it.
And because there was free money flowing around that also aided corruption. And not many people are willing to serve; not many people are willing to do things on their own, everyone wants to go to school and get a white collar job. I do believe in this country, that Nigeria will be great and in years to come, some countries will depend on Nigeria.

Looking into the future, do you have plans of going into full time politics?
I still have a long way to go in Chevron and talking about retirement that is about 7 years upward. So when we get to the bridge we will cross it.

What is your assessment of Governor Obaseki’s 100 days in office?
I believe that he is doing very well, he has started well, he is a very strategic person and if you would have noticed, you see that he is doing a lot of engagement with different stakeholders, meeting people, setting up workshops in other to define the policy direction for all and it is very important in every government or company. You have to take time to plan, you know if you do not plan, you are planning to fail.
So I am happy he is taking his time, he is not in a hurry, you know, and he is doing all these planning and consultations. Even with all that is going on, he is still doing quite a lot; you can see his direction on agriculture, when you look at the areas of power, you can also see how he is going in having a dedicated power for government offices and hospitals that will go far a lot. You see the roads that he is beginning to do in the state capital, and I am sure there is still one or two inter-city roads that he has flagged off all within this 100 days.
I do not have doubt in my mind that he will succeed and that he will do well. We need to give him time, give him our support and I pray that God gives him the enablement and resources both financially and people to complete his tenure very well.

What is your expectation of the Obaseki’s administration in the next 2 years?
He was part of the last administration’s foundation which has been laid and I believe he is going to keep the flag flying. We will see more roads; see more employment; our agricultural space opening up.

On family Sir, what footprints are you making for your kids to follow?
Naturally parents are mentors to their children. We also expect that they will do well because the children watch you, they see what you do and they will follow your footsteps. And the prayer of every parent is that their children are better than them and I believe my children will be better than my wife and I.

I do not know how a great man should look but seeing Prince Clem Agba, it reminds me of someone who breeds hope, removes fear, gives solace and survival. Then I ask, what then should we look for in attesting greatness?
I would not be so quick to appraising his humanitarian and philanthropic attitude as a myriad of Edo State people can do the talking but I can be quick to qualify him as a politician with a difference. And I say, if we have more men like him, only tears of joy would have been the case of Nigerians.
I beg to drop my pen here, not because I am dried of words, but I want to leave room for others who have good eyes to continue and make the world know how he is worth celebrating.`
Congratulations Prince Agba on your birthday, we pray that heaven’s best showers on you and your family.