Tribute to a True Friend and Brother, Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN

It is with great sadness, that I write this Tribute over the unimaginable loss of my brother and friend Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN, to the cold hands of death in the early hours of Friday, 10th August, 2018. Until his death, late Aguma served our administration as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State.

Aguma was Charismatic

This great man, was a wonderful friend and brother to me for decades. We both came from different social backgrounds, but from the first day our paths crossed, I felt his charismatic personality and great leadership qualities. Ever since, he remained a loyal, trustworthy and close confidante, supporting me in my numerous political battles with unmatched commitment. Over the years, we became closer and closer, especially in the last three years, when he served and worked closely with me, as the Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State.

Chief Agums, as he was fondly called by his admirers, was special; yes, he was extraordinary. In whatever role you knew him, encountered him or related with him, he always stood out as someone special, a kind of his own person. He was not only a dedicated professional Lawyer; he was also an honest, courageous and decent man, to whom I could freely repose my confidence in.

Aguma was Loving and Real

As a person, Aguma was authentic to people, loving and real. Although he never suffered fools gladly, he treated everyone with respect and admirable accommodation. He was a wonderful and proud son to his parents, a loving husband to his wife, and a doting father to his three lovely children in whom he genetically imparted his brilliance, hard work and sense of responsibility. Sadly, he lived for only 57 years for his family, but it was 57 years of joy, love happiness and hope for a brighter future, to his family and all those who came his way.

Aguma showed early that he was going to have an outstanding career. Soon after he returned to Nigeria after his studies in the United Kingdom, he established his law firm, and remained focused and committed to nothing but legal practice. He was passionate with his calling and advanced his practice with great oratorical skills, innovative thinking, and the tenacious patience required for a successful legal practice. Before long, he emerged as one of the most brilliant, hard working, goal-oriented and talented advocates I ever knew. We were therefore, not surprised when he got to the zenith of legal competence, and was admitted into the inner bar as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria three years ago.

An Embodiment of Wisdom, Intelligence and Dignity

As the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Aguma was a devoted, loyal and skilful administrator; an embodiment of wisdom, intelligence and dignity, Aguma’s contributions to the State Executive Council meetings, were always thoughtful and illuminating. His productivity was unmatched, while his work ethic was not only exemplary, but also evoked the imagery of energy, integrity and commitment.

Aguma loved his job, but he loved Rivers State even more and completely surrendered himself, his time, and even his resources, to defend the State and advance its progress, through the instrumentality of the law. His love for Rivers State was such that, even on his sick bed, he called for and worked on his office files. Indeed, with Aguma I could go to sleep, as the job, no matter how difficult, always got perfectly done and delivered. We did, and achieved so much, together.

He loved Life

In the midst of his very busy schedule, Aguma

“AS THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER OF JUSTICE, AGUMA WAS A DEVOTED, LOYAL AND SKILFUL ADMINISTRATOR; AN EMBODIMENT WISDOM, INTELLIGENCE AND DIGNITY, AGUMA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS, WERE ALWAYS THOUGHTFUL AND ILLUMINATI