THE choice of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas as the guest speaker for this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture has been commended.
Hon. Emmanuel Udorah, who gave the commendation while speaking in Asaba on Wednesday, noted that “Hon Agas has the experience, stable state of mind and carriage” to deliver the lecture.
Udorah, who has been described as a political tactician who says things as they are, observed that Maris Annual Public Service Lecture has become a seasonal event that people look forward to during the Easter period as an agenda-setting programme that requires that the guest speaker and discussants should be carefully chosen.
“I am happy that after a long wait the Maris Trust Council through its Secretary, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, has released the name of the guest speaker for this year’s edition of the annual public service lecture in the person of Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas.
“Rt. Hon. Agas is a respected personality within the state and the beyond and I am confident that he will do justice to the lecture.
“Politically, Rt. Hon. Agas has been around; he is popular among the people, he is credible and has good track record to deliver the lecture.
“Last year, I was happy to read the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman of Maris Trust Council, Chief Kenneth Olise; I listened to the quality of lecture delivered by Chief Monday Onyeme and the discussants, Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri, Hon. Orezi Esievo, Dr Kemi Emina and others who displayed good knowledge of trends in the society. I am happy that I was there to witness and participate in the lecture.
“I had my fears if the Council would live up to the high standard set, especially with the fact that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration will be winding down next year. However, my fears have been allayed with the choice of Rt. Hon. Agas.
“As a former Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Agas knows about law making, as Chairman of Delta State Direct Labour Agency, he knows about allocating funds for provision of critical infrastructure. And, as former Secretary to Delta State Government and presently, the Chief of Staff, Government House, one can comfortably describe him as an astute administrator, so, he is an all-rounder who is eminently qualified to deliver the annual public lecture.
“We look forward to seeing quality persons ad discussants. Meanwhile, I’d say congratulations to Maris Trust Council for catching a big fish as the guest speaker.”
