It is not often that comets appear in the sky but when they do appear, their impact reverberates across the whole firmament. The same is very true of great men.
Like essential commodities, they are very scarce. They rarely appear but when they do, lasting legacies become their lot in their sojourn on earth.
Great men by their words and deeds serve as beacons to illuminate our paths and guide us as we march through history. St Paul, St Augustine, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Junior, Alexander the Great, Pope Gregory the Great, William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, Mother Theresa, St Teresa of Avila, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, Isaac Newton. These are men and women who have had colossal and tremendous impact in the affairs of men.
Their achievements are etched in the hearts of men and women and recorded in history for men to learn and imitate. They represent what is possible when there is a commitment deep-down in the heart of man.
They are a testimonial to the fact that “whatever the mind can conceive, the Hand can do’’. Their words and deeds eloquently speak on their behalf even when they are long gone.
It does not matter the length of time they spent on earth, whether long or short, but one thing is common to them all: they were able to engrave their names in history and stamp their feet in the sands of time through uncommon determination, grit, and can-do spirit.
They are outliers who, through words and deeds, have become avatars and saints. People imitate and emulate their lives and times on earth. It is for this reason that we comb through history in search of noble men and women that are worthy of emulation believing the words of St James, that “they are men of like passion” like us.
Their actions while on earth become an inspiration and a compass to what is possible with human beings. Their lives and times help us navigate the waters of life. Their deeds serve as anchors to secure our ship of life especially during turbulent times.
Today, we add to the list of great men and women Prince Clement Ikanade Agba, PCA, because of his uncommon deeds that will ever remain etched in the annals of the Uzanu community.
“Looking at a king’s mouth, said an old man, one would think he never sucked at his mother’s breast’’ (Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart).
So, when 57 years ago, God blessed Fatima and Pius Kadiri Ikanade Agba with another baby boy, little did they know that another great man had been born. He was christened Clement. He was just like any other infant.
Nothing to distinguish him from others. He sucked milk at Fatima’s breast just like his other siblings. That little infant that Fatima nurtured fifty-seven years ago has turned out to become a colossus, a great man. A colossus that is now bestriding the entire Nigerian landscape.
At present, he is holding the forte as Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, a very strategic ministry in the affairs of any nation. Before then, he had served as honourable Commissioner for eight solid years under Adams Oshiomhole. The tremendous transformation that was the lot of Edo people during the eight-year tenure of Oshiomhole as governor of Edo state has the solid inputs of PCA as he is fondly called by his numerous admirers.
It is a clear and irrefutable testimony to his achievements as honourable commissioner that he was elevated to serve at the national level in such a strategic ministry. Afterall, the reward for hard work is more work. When a child washes his hands very clean, he is invited to eat with the elders.
Prior to serving in Oshiomhole’s administration, he had worked as a staff member of Chevron Nigeria, one of the international oil companies operating in the upstream sector of the petroleum Industry. He served diligently, honestly and with integrity in various capacities for well over three decades.
Of course, he started working after drinking from the Pierian Spring of knowledge by attending St Vincent primary School, Auchi, St John’s Grammar School, Fugar, Advance College, Igueben, Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli), Ekpoma, the university of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin and Arizona State University, USA, where he armed himself with various certificates and degrees. For as we all know, education is the bedrock and superstructure on which every other structure can be erected.
Who could have seen into the seed of time to discern that the little black boy from Uzanu, a non-descript village in today’s Etsako-East local government area of Edo state would blossom to an adult that is filled with the milk of human kindness and compassion for his community? None except God, his Maker who is all-knowing. Only Him knows that He has destined CLEMENT IKANADE AGBA to become a great man. For nothing is impossible for a man that is imbued with the grace of God in his life.
As he turned fifty-seven years on March 28, 2021, we have decided to roll out the drums by singing his praise because as our elders say, “when you praise and acknowledge an achiever, he is energized to do more.”
It is not that PCA needs any motivations or praise singing to develop his community, as he has clearly shown through his words and deeds that he deeply loves Uzanu, his natal community. It is only right and proper for us to point out what is good so that others can imitate him as a role model. Those who do not know him and have no knowledge of what Uzanu looked like before the uncommon touch and transformation of the community might be tempted to ask: does he deserve such adulation?
Yes, and much more. In fact, words are not adequate to aptly trumpet to the whole wide world how blessed we are to have as our beloved son the person of Prince Clement Ikanade Agba, a true son of Uzanu in whom we are well pleased. We will not therefore be weary in singing his praise repeatedly because we, in Uzanu community, believe that he has through his influence and personal commitment done for Uzanu what Napoleon Bonaparte could not do.
PCA has transformed Uzanu from a lowly agrarian and fishing community with few houses to a modern city. We will demonstrate presently that we are not singing his praise in vain because he has clearly demonstrated repeatedly that he has the interest of his community at heart. It will be a mark of gross ingratitude for his community not to recognize the enormous contributions towards the uncommon transformation that has become the lot of Uzanu community through his relentless and untiring efforts. Even God our creator expects us to show gratitude to those who deserve it hence when our Lord Jesus Christ cleansed ten lepers, he acknowledged and further blessed the one that came back to show gratitude while wondering while the remaining nine persons did not deem it fit to come and acknowledge what God has done for them.
Peace is a prerequisite in any community for any meaningful development to take place. So, when in years back the Uzanu Community was embroiled in a tussle as to who will be the Oliola of Uzanu (It was not yet a Clan), the peace and harmony that once held sway in the community was shattered. Brothers were at daggers -drawn and civil strife between people of the same kindred reigned supreme. PCA, like Daniel came to judgment, stepped in decisively and once again peace was restored to the community. His effort at resolving the crisis involved making enormous personal sacrifices as he ought to have vested interest in who becomes the Oliola.
The permanent resolution of the chieftaincy tussle was a clear manifestation of the trust and confidence that was reposed in him as people have tried to resolve the issue for well over two decades without success. That same Uzanu community has been elevated to the status of a Clan-South-east Uneme Clan through the power and influence of PCA, and His Royal Highness, Benjamin Ikani, was chosen as the first Clan head of the community.
In the past, Uzanu community was usually enveloped in total darkness when it was night due to the absence of electricity. That situation no longer subsists; today when you visit Uzanu, you will find it difficult to distinguish between day and night. Why? Because not only has electricity been extended to the community, we also now have street lights powered by solar to illuminate the community at night. Who made it possible? PCA.
To visit Uzanu in those days through the road was a very bumpy ride. What with the sand dunes, gullies and craters that dotted every stretch of the road from Ivhioghe through Igiode to Uzanu. You will have to meander your way through these impediments to a smooth ride to arrive at Uzanu. That also is now history. It is now a pleasure to drive from Ivhioghe through Igiode to Uzanu. The road has been solidly tarred. Who did it? PCA.
Before now, the only sources of drinking water for the community were the various streams that dotted the community. Pipe-borne water was a luxury. Not anymore. You can now drink the purest of water when you visit our community. Do I need to tell you whose hand work it is? You already know, the same PCA.
In the words of Joseph Addison, ”Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress…at home, a friend; abroad, an introduction”. The foregoing quotation underscores the indispensability and importance of education in the development of persons and communities. So, when the community was once again thrown into the darkness of ignorance through the closure of Uzanu Community Secondary School, Uzanu, it was through the indefatigable efforts of PCA, that the light of knowledge was once again restored through the re-opening of the secondary school. This holds a special place in the heart of this writer because I attended that secondary school for my secondary education.
Do we continue to list his numerous contributions to the uplift and elevation of Uzanu from an unknown community to a “modern-day London”?
Time will fail us to tell of the on-going hospital project, the Skill acquisition Centre, the Uzanu- Okpekpe road, the Uzanu Ukpeko road. Do I need to mention the human capital development, his legendary philanthropy that has become his second nature? His generosity is not limited to his community; he is a man that has spread his hands far and wide. His impact is felt all over Etsako-East, in the entire Edo North, Edo state and the whole of Nigeria.
We (using the Royal “we” for collective appreciation) only decided to focus on his development strides in Uzanu alone to show that indeed, Clement Ikanade Agba is our illustrious son in whom we are well pleased. There is no man or woman from Uzanu community today that is not proud of him. Even our ancestors will stand up to say, thank you our son while both his father and mother who have gone to the great beyond will not hesitate to point him out to their fellow ancestors: behold our son, Clement!
And to his delectable and pretty wife, we say a very big thank you. At the back of every successful man is a woman. We are aware that you have stood solidly behind and beside your husband to enable him to achieve the purpose for which God created him. We cannot thank you enough because we are aware of the enormous influence that wives exert on their husbands for ill or for good.
Yours has been a very positive influence in his momentous life. So, madam, we in Uzanu community are very grateful for indeed you took to heart the words of Ruth in the bible: His people, shall be my people’.
For the above projects and others not mentioned which he has done as an individual or in conjunction with other sons and daughters of the community to change the fortunes, outlook, and landscape of Uzanu we express our profound gratitude.
For these and many more that you have done, that you are doing and that you are going to do, we say march on, able soldier of Christ, great son of Uzanu, ambassador of Edo state and God’s gift to the world.
God who created you has destined you for greatness and no force on earth can stop you from your inexorable march towards ultimate greatness. Happy Birthday.
▪︎Jafaru Kupa (Bob JK) is the Treasurer of Uzanu Secondary School Alumni of which Prince Clement Ikanade Agba is one of the Patrons.
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