By Daniel Okeme & Anthony Okotie are the Editor-in-Chief & Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Freelance Eleven

His strength is in his character which is invisible. Thus, in searching for Hon. Festus Ovie Agas a lawyer, it is quite possible to look beyond him. Yet he is not hidden because he does not shy away from responsibilities and challenges. He will always be compelled by his sheer grasp of issues to listen to him.

Hon. Festus-Agas

Every word and step are measured and calculated to make his point, even his opponents will yield and applaud his depth and artistry. Agas, a native of Oteri-Ughelli, attended St. Paul’s Primary School, Ughelli where he got his First School Certificate in 1970. He got admitted into Urhobo College Effurun in 1971 and graduated in 1975 with a good grade.

Hon. Agas did his Higher School Certificate (HSC), at Government College Ughelli and subsequently got admitted into the University of Lagos,where he graduated with honours in mass-communication, Second Class Upper Division in 1982.

After his youth service, he started his working career with the Delta State Complex Aladja where he served in the public affairs department of the company for several years before he resigned and joined partisan politics in 1999.

He contested as a candidate of the PDP for the seat of Ughelli Constituency and was elected overwhelmingly into the State of Assembly in 1999. Hon. Agas was elected Deputy Speaker of the House in 2002 by distinguished members in recognition of his leadership qualities.

During his tenure as Deputy Speaker under the Speakership of Rt. Honourable Basil Ganagana, the Delta State House of Assembly became significantly enhanced in several conceived sphere of human endeavours, many important bills and motions were churned out by the House and readily assented to and implemented by the executive arm of government.

During this period, oversight functions of the legislative arm of government were seriously and dutifully carried out to the satisfaction of all Deltans. Equally too, all members and staff of the House of Assembly were adequately taken care of. Above all, Rt. Hon. Agas maintained and sustained a most fruitful relationship of the House as well as the general public throughout his tenure as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. For him every person is an important personality.

It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly re-elected into Delta State House of Assembly in 2003. Also during this period as an Honourable Member he squeezed out time to pick up a Law Degree from the Delta State University and was subsequently called to the Nigeria Bar. Agas also served the Delta State Government as Director-General of the Direct Labour Agency during the first tenure of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

He was the pioneer Director General of the Okowa Campaign Organisation and remained focused and committed to the success of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at the primaries and election proper. The likeable Agas, by his comportment and excellent human relation skills over the years, has carved a niche for himself as a man of the people and one that is very dependable. These qualities will no doubt be very advantageous in the discharge of his duties as Secretary to State Government.

All said, what does this new appointment as Secretary of the Delta State Government mean to him. “I have for the last 16 years been working very hard for the people of Delta State and Nigeria in general. Anybody who has worked hard in the interest of his people will be appreciated at the appropriate time. No matter how late.

“That His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has found me worthy to be appointed as Secretary of the State Government (SSG) is something for which I have cause to give glory to God and I will not fail his Excellency and the people of Delta.” Hon. Agas is happily married to his lovely wife, Kervwe and they are blessed with children.