Posted to the Web: Saturday, April 14, 2007
The first time I was introduced to Femi Agagu was at his very palatial home at Magodo Estate in Lagos and that was in 1998. Then, he was a banker and not the politician that he is today.
I remembered that encounter very well because I was taken in by the beauty of the home.
A very reserved person and a gentle man to the core, Uncle Femi, as I have come to know the Okitipupa Ondo State- born former university lecturer, invited me to join his friends last Wednesday as he celebrated his 50 years on mother earth.
So, as a mark of respect to the hard working Chief of Staff to his own brother and Governor of Ondo, Olusegun Agagu, we have chosen him as our man of style today. Happy birthday Uncle Femi.
"My name is Femi Agagu, and I am sure you know the rest...
" was how he chose to begin this interview, before we took charge.
So enjoy the rest of the interview.
Not really, I’d like you to tell me more about you.
Well then, I used to be an estate valuer by profession, but, currently, I’m the Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Governor.
Before becoming what you are presently, you had your own practice. Tell me something about it.
I’d been into many things before I started the practice. I was first a lecturer, later I worked with Union Bank and later the Eko International Bank. And, finally, I worked as the managing partner in Fola Oyekame Associates and as principal partner of Femi Agagu and Associates.
And what did you gain from working in all these places?
I learnt enough from those various places I worked. It helped me to be able to manage human beings as much as possible with the background of my training.
Which of these jobs was most tasking?
I think the most tasking job I ever had was being the Premises Manager at Eko International Bank. That was the first time I was heading a department on my own.
At the point I joined the bank, they were just emerging on the banking scene as one of the new generation banks and it was during the Babangida regime.
At Union Bank, there were more than 500 workers and I was of manager grade, but heading only a unit. And there were a lot of us crammed together in the same floor.
Although there was enough work to go round, but it was nothing compared to what I had to handle at Eko International Bank. This probably prepared me for this more tasking job of Chief of Staff to the Governor. The work of Chief of Staff is very challenging, such that one has no resumption or closing hour.
Didn’t you worry about what the people may say about two brothers serving in the Government House?
I didn’t, because in the first instance, the governor didn’t nominate me for that position. He’d nominated some other person.
I was nominated by the people who should complain. They insisted that I’d complement the governor with my services.
Of course, my party people didn’t have any reason to complain because my contributions to the party and to our electoral victory was very glaring.
It was not something that needed to be shown to anybody as it was there for the world to see. However, my brother was reluctant to make me his Chief of Staff.
What is your daily routine like as Chief of Staff?
A typical day before this election period, begins with my resumption at the Governor’s Lodge. The Governor, before my arrival, would have treated some mails and files overnight. I’d go through them and pass them out for distribution to their various destinations.
I’d have gone through them to ensure that everything is in order. Usually, before the close of work the previous day, we’d prepared the Governor’s programme for the next day and so the day begins with him trying to keep all the appointments.
Is it proper to resume every morning at the Governor's Lodge?
A lot of work would have been accomplished before we get to the office. And, for me, it's convenient for the speedy discharge of the jobs. All those files I look through, I’d have been waiting in the office for some PAs or messenger to go and bring them.
And, sometimes, they could take several hours to bring in these files. It’s quite okay because nobody can disturb me at the lodge. At the office, people start waiting for you as early as 7am and it could disturb my work.
What kind of person is the Governor?
The Governor is a very diligent man, one who pays a lot of attention to details and he is a workaholic. Sometimes, when I leave his lodge at 2am, he works in the study till about 4am.
But by the time I get back to his lodge at 6.30am, he’s already awake to receive you. He came into governance with so much determination and commitment.
He determines what he wants to do sometimes, and, often, he cuts his schedules to suit his work appetite. So, the result we are getting in Ondo State has justified his diligence.
What was he like before he became Governor?
The only thing I can say I noticed is that I never knew his Excellency could be this committed to the job of governance. He works at the detriment of his health. His schedules are not healthy and they are not normal.
Are there occasions when you have disagreed with him over his pace of work?
We cannot disagree. When I’m not comfortable with his pace, I try to cut down on his work schedule, but he, sometimes, bypasses me to reschedule his own appointment.
What was growing up like?
It was normal in a semi-urbane town like Okitipupa for a family of seven. My mother was a yam trader and my father, a retired council official.
I attended government primary school and from there, I went to Methodist High School and the University of Ife. And by the time I went back for my master's degree, it’d become Obafemi Awolowo University. I taught there too.
And what family values did you get from your parents?
My father was a disciplinarian and my mother, a kind woman but who would not tolerate indiscipline. While my mother was the persuasive type, my father never hesitated to land you with some strokes of the cane when you make mistakes.
When you’ve passed through such a disciplined system, every other thing falls in place. With discipline, it was easy for one’s life to be conditioned in such a way that you will think less about evil things.
What was it like growing up with the Governor?
I didn’t grow up with him. He’s nine years older than me you know. We are seven in the family and while he is number two, I’m number five.
By the time I was born, he’d left for Ibadan and it was only after we’d lost both parents I started living with him.
I’m sure you are married right? So how many kids do you have?
Yes and I have two children, both are boys. My wife was until my appointment, a teacher in Lagos.
How did you meet?
We met at Okitipupa in 1978, on the day they were celebrating something in their house. I got invited there by a friend who was living in the same compound with them. We met casually as I was being introduced to her father.
After that encounter, I’d visit that friend of mine and in the process see her.
I found out she was enjoying my company as much as I enjoyed hers. And eight years later, we were married.
And how did you pop the big question of marriage?
It was on my graduation day. I’d made up my mind on that day that I was going to tell her.
I told her I’d love to have her as my wife and for a reply, she didn’t say yes or no.
Last Thursday, you turned 50, will you say life has been kind to you?
I have been moving on as God has ordained.
When others were going to school, I did. When they graduated, I did too with a second class upper. I’m glad for everything God has done in my life.
Any regrets in life?
I’m a fairly relaxed and careful person. Honestly, I cannot say I have many regrets in life.
Right now, I can’t think of any. But, something happened to me while in the secondary school. Initially, I thought I’d study to become a doctor, but because I couldn’t stand the sight of blood, I had to settle for another profession.
And your ultimate goal in life, what is it?
In the first instance, that I’m Chief of Staff today was not by my own design. I only did my best to help my brother win an election.
By my appointment, I saw it as an opportunity to pay back a brother who had, over the years, been good to me. My prayer for him has always been that no matter how high I rise, that he remain on top. And by the grace of God, that dream I have achieved.
Do you have any political ambition?
No. But you must understand that as a member of my political party and with my position of Chief of Staff, I’m in line for any other duties such as is assigned to me by my party.
There is nowhere they will be discussing the affairs of Ondo State and they will not invite me.
And how much time do have to relax?
The few times I try to do so, I go to a friend’s house to gist and relax with his family.
And again, I play tennis. I was not a super tennis player but I played soccer very well. Since the governor is a tennis player, we’d play a few sets for relaxation.
The Governor is a good tennis player because, at a point in his life, he was a tennis coach in the state.
Do you drink?
I’m a social drinker.
I don’t drink beer or brandy but I do indulge in a few glasses of wine. And because most of my friends grumbled that I hardly see them, I resorted to spending a few hours with them at social gatherings
How do you shave?
Every other day with Gillette razor blades with a spice of after-shave lotions.
I have no special preference for any after-shave lotion.
And do you like fragrance?
Initially, before now, I’d go for Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, those popular ones.
And, sometimes, at the airport when one is waiting for his flight, you may run into some more exotic ones in the shops.
Does your mood affect what you wear?
No, but I love to dress as simple as possible.
And most of the time, my wife wants me to be more formal, because I wear suits most of the time.
Talking about suits, how do you like them?
I wear anything that is fashionable.
I like to look good and I try to wear things that will present me very well. I buy very nice suits and, as a church minister, my best dresses are the suits I wear to church. So, I make sure I buy very nice ones.
I buy them ready- made.
Apart from the usual fitting, what else attracts you to a suit?
Nothing.
I only need things that fit. When I walk into a suit shop, I don’t care about anything else expect a suit that fits.
You know I was a banker and a deacon in the Redeemed Church, so I prefer a conservative suit.
What do you look out for when you go for a shirt?
It must be 100 per cent cotton with nice colours too. The curves don’t count, it doesn’t matter.
By the grace of God, I have enough of everything. And because of my modest taste, what might be enough for me might not be enough for other people.
My pastor, Pastor Adeboye would say, if there is any cloth in your ward robe that you’ve not worn for six months, you don’t need it.
If I have enough dresses to wear for thirty days, why won’t I rotate it.
And your ties?
Honestly, when I see a tie, I’d know that this is a tie I like.
It could be silk or otherwise. Once I look good wearing it, I’m down with it.
Wrist watches stand out the man they say, how do you like yours?
I’m not someone who will spend thousands of pounds on a wrist watch. I have a fairly moderated taste for wrist watches I don’t go for exotic watches and at the sameb time, I don’t want to wear something that is below my standard.
And your traditional wears?
My wife takes care of the fabrics most of the time but I have a regular tailor who is also a friend - Vivid Imagination- he has been making my wears for years.
What is your favourite make of a car?
If I have my way and can afford it, I prefer Mercedes Benz car.
How do you like it, pants or boxers?
It used to be pants, but, nowadays, it’s the boxer. I also like to wear the singlet.
How often do you go on holiday?
In the last six years, I have been spending the holiday with his Excellency.
But if you have an opportunity to be on your own, where will you like to be?
Anywhere people will not come to disturb me, anywhere quite.
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