By Victor Oshioke

It was in Auchi, sometime around 1986, when in company of a few friends, we visited our mutual friend Clem Agba, who was in town on holiday from Bendel State University Ekpoma where he was a student of Economics. Two things struck me on that particular occasion. The excitement in Clem’s voice when he introduced the young lady we met at his home as Orobosa his heartthrob and the warm reception she accorded us throughout the time we spent with them that day.

•Princess Agba

Knowing her over the years, it has become obvious that this accommodating attitude and unabashed humility is essentially a part of Cathrine. It is difficult for anyone to encounter her without observing her grace, joviality and humane disposition.

Born into the Gaius -Obaseki family of Benin-City in Edo State, Catherine is a 1987 graduate of Language/Literature from the prestigious Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University). In 1989 she earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology from the University of Lagos. She has also complemented her degrees with several local and overseas continuous development courses. She has effectively organized and actively participated in many local and international trade fairs here in Nigeria and far flung places like South Africa, United Kingdom, Germany and China.

Professionally, she has proficiently combined state-of-the-art technology and multiple competencies with her artistic and communicative background in promoting the science of business development and management. It is this sense of commitment to interests compatible with her fundamental values and goals for the society, business and family growth that has endeared her to many industry players and watchers, who readily identify and accept the leadership and entrepreneurial excellence she possess.

Her passion for these values also gives her the competitive edge which underscores the exclusiveness of OAK EXCLUSIVE DESIGN LTD, a company, which she successfully conceptualized, nurtured and pioneered as its chief executive to lofty heights.

Though well learned, urbane and widely travelled, Catherine retains those priceless traditional values which makes the African woman unique amongst other races. She was the best friend of her mother-in-law and they had an extraordinarily cordial relationship, often spending their vacations together within and outside the country. Incidentally and as fate would have it, they shared together the last active moments, before her mother-in-law bowed to the cold pangs of death after a protracted illness.

Catherine was also very instrumental in the establishment of “The Clem Agba Foundation” instituted by her husband Clem, “to be a vehicle for general philanthropic activities with primary focus on education, enlightenment, testing, counselling and vaccination against diseases ravaging our society with special focus on Hepatitis B and C.”