REACTIONS have continued to trail the choice of Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas as the guest speaker for this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
Agas, who is the Chief of Staff to Delta State Government, is a former Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, former Secretary to Delta State Government, former Chairman, Delta State Direct Labour Agency, former Chief Strategist to Delta State Government, among other positions held was described as a round peg in a round hole to speak on the topic for discussion, “Selfless Service: A Phenomenal Virtue.”
Wife of former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Lady May Ojidoh Inije, a regular participant at the lecture, said she heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that Rt. Hon. Agas will deliver the lecture.
She told Newsden in Asaba, Delta State, that as someone who has participated actively in the lecture, she was afraid that the tempo would reduce due to the fact that a lot of political activities would take place in the year, but was happy that Rt. Hon. Agas will deliver the lecture.
She said, “Maris Trust Council made a wise decision by getting Rt. Hon. Agas to speak on the topic for this year’s discussion because, he is a sound lawyer and as a politician who has held elective and appointive positions, he will do justice to the topic.
“With the array of personalities that attend the lecture annually, we look forward to another great day.”
Also, the first Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Aneke Ifemeni, described the choice of Hon. Eta Enahoro as a discussant for the Lecture as laudable.
Speaking in Asaba, Delta State, Hon. Ifemeni emphasized that Hon. Enahoro who is popularly known as His Excellency has a lot to offer.
He said, “The Maris Trust Council, has proven that there is no compromise when it comes to getting people to participate in the Maris Public Service Lecture series.
“As an individual who has never missed the lecture, I am happy to say that Hon. Enahoro, has a lot to offer at the lecture.
“Hon. Enahoro is loved by the people, he is a philanthropist and a successful businessman, so, a lot of persons would like to watch and listen to him at the lecture.
“From experience, I know that a lot of personalities from within and outside the state attend Maris Lectures but, with Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas as the Guest Speaker, Dr. Kemi Emina as Moderator and now, Hon. Eta Enahoro as discussant, I am confident that this year’s lecture will surpass previous lectures and I am also proud to say that we look forward to participating in this thought-provoking discourse that we reflect on during the Easter period.”
The Asaba, Delta State Manager/Branch Head of Globus Bank, Mr Uzor Okoro, said, “there is so much to learn from Maris lectures.”
He thanked Maris Trust Council for consistently working for a better society, expressing confidence that “the world would learn a lot from this year’s lecture.”
A social media commentator, Mr. Chris Onwugbolu said, the selection process for those who will discuss the lecture was a good one.
