The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has commiserated with the government and people of Rivers State over the passage of the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
Dickson said the news of the death of the Rivers State Attorney-General was shocking.
The Bayelsa State governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Kemela Okara, prayed God to grant the people of Rivers State the strength to bear the loss.
He said that the affinity between the people of Rivers and Bayelsa states was such that what affects one, affects the other.
The Bayelsa State governor assured the Rivers State Government that his state would participate in the burial of the late Attorney General of Rivers State.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked the government and people of Bayelsa State for commiserating with the state over the death of Attorney General of Rivers State.
He also commiserated with the governor of Bayelsa State over the death of his mother.
Wike said though he has expressed his condolences to the Bayelsa State governor over the death of his mother, the Rivers State Government would visit the state for an official condolence.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a condolence letter to the Rivers State governor by the Chief of Staff to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Talford Ongolo.
Similarly, the South-South Forum of Attorneys-General and Commissioners of Justice has declared the death of the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) was an unquantifiable loss to the Niger Delta.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, Secretary of the Forum and Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko said that the news of the demise of late Aguma broke like an enemy bomb on their WhatsApp group.
He said: “His death was incomprehensible and inexplicable. He was fearless and believed in responsibilities. Aguma earned the respect of all of us.
“He was a strong believer in the fight for Justice in the Niger Delta. The demise of Aguma is an unquantifiable loss”.
The secretary of the forum stated that with the passage of Aguma, the region has lost a vocal and credible voice.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Kemeasuode Wodu said as chairman of the forum, Aguma provided quality leadership that enhanced justice sector performance in the South-South.
He said: “We received the news of his death with sadness. He led us very well. Personally, I had the privilege of learning from Aguma.
“He was very expressive, correcting younger lawyers when they go wrong. He was quite bold and courageous. He has left behind a very good record of service and achievements”.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike noted that the forum has been central to the struggle for justice for the region.
He said: “Aguma’s death is a loss to the people of the region. We lost a very committed, loyal and intelligent lawyer. It was at the mortuary that I saw that really he was gone.
“With what we are passing through now, we require people like Aguma. But God knows the best”.
Wike said that the people and Government of Rivers State would honour the late Attorney-General, hence he would receive a state burial.
He noted that “his contributions are greater than his age”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has described the late Attorney-General of Rivers State as a thoroughbred professional who contributed to the development of the Niger Delta region.
He spoke, yesterday, when he led the Board and Management of the NDDC on a condolence visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He was accompanied by the Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere and other executive directors.
He said: “The late Attorney-General of Rivers State was a professional to the core with very deep insights.
“As a commission, we share in your grief. His death is a sad loss for the Niger Delta region because Aguma was an outstanding legal practitioner from the region”.
The NDDC prayed God to grant the people of Rivers State the fortitude to bear the great loss.
“We pray he finds peace in the hands of his maker. We can only take solace in the quality of life that Aguma lived while on earth “, Ndoma-Egba said.
The former Senate leader said Aguma was not just a friend, but a brother.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked the Board and Management of the NDDC for their condolence visit.
He described the loss of the Attorney-General of Rivers State as unfortunate, pointing out that he lived a quality life.
“We thank God for the quality of life that Aguma lived while on earth. We urge the NDDC to participate in his funeral “,Wike said.
The Chairman of the Board of the NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and the Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere later signed the condolence register in front of the Executive Council Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt.
Also, yesterday, Investments and Securities Tribunal, Abuja paid a condolence visit on Wike over the death of the Attorney General of Rivers State.
Chairman, Investments and Securities Tribunal, Abuja, Mr Siaka Isaiah Idoko-Akoh, said that the late Attorney-General of Rivers State was a bridge between the state government and other agencies operating in the state.
He said the Investments and Securities Tribunal, Abuja had fond memories of their professional interactions with the late Attorney-General of Rivers State while they worked towards establishing their presence in the state.
While thanking the leadership of the Investments and Securities Tribunal for the condolence visit, Wike said that the death of late Attorney-General of Rivers State came as a shock to the state.