FAREWELL,  FERDINARD NWABUEZE AGU

 Francis Dan Akpan pays tribute to Ferdinard Agu, architect and former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Authority

I met Ferd about 22 years ago in Cape Town, South Africa. He was the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Authority (NMA). I was the pioneer Defence Adviser to South Africa, with accreditation to Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swazi Land. He visited Cape Town with his team for the commissioning of vessels by the late First Lady Mrs Stella Obasanjo. These vessels were acquired for the security of ships at the Lagos Anchorage as vessels coming into Lagos Ports were exposed to incessant attacks by Sea robbers. Among members of his team was my mentor on naval operations and my former commander during the ECOMOG Operations, Late Commodore Amadi Ikwechegh. I was his Executive Officer(second in command) of the Corvette Class NNS Enriomi for over two years during ECOMOG. My duty was simple, obtain the flight clearances for the First Lady’s Flight to land in Cape Town and ensure the safety of Her Excellency and her entourage throughout the duration of her stay in South Africa. To achieve the feat, my dear Victoria and I had to leave Pretoria for Cape Town to facilitate the processes. On arrival in Cape Town, I was introduced to Ferd by Cdre Ikwechegh and an endearing relationship started.

We kept in touch on my return to Nigeria 2002 as I proceeded to the Defence College for the senior officer’s programme. Later in 2006, as Flag Officer Commanding Western Command, I had the onerous responsibility of preparing for the Presidential Fleet Review as part of the golden celebrations of the Nigeria Navy. Ferd’s contributions to the concept and ground-norm of an International Presidential Fleet Review were not taken for granted. Later, as the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, we kept exchanging ideas until my retirement from Service. I chose as a post retirement engagement; maritime security consultancy courtesy of late Cdre Ikwechech who gave me the fundamentals.

In June 2010, I was appointed Chairman, 5 Ministerial Committee for the establishment of Maritime Security Command and Control Centre for Nigeria. Additionally, to determine the role of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had already been established. One month into the work of the Committee, we were inundated by warped evidences laced with parochial, selfish tirades and narratives that made the assignment difficult. I decided to invite my good friend Ferd Agu to give us

the real insights as to the advent of both establishments and the way forward for our country. After more than four hours of engaging with members of the committee that had members from both NIMASA and PICOMSS, the Ministries of Defence, Finance, Police, Transport, Interior among others we had a direction and our tasks was greatly mitigated. The committee’s report led to the scrapping of PICOMSS and its “assets” given to the Services and the Implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security Code (ISPS) given to NIMASA as an added responsibility.

During my retirement, I have been engaged in Consultancy Services, but at the insistence of Ferd, I have met people at the highest echelon of power and the Maritime Sector, stating that I needed to contribute more to the overall development of our maritime endeavour especially within the aspect of maritime security. We agreed that the concept of maritime security was a “shared” and “collaborative” endeavour with all maritime stakeholders and agencies with the Nigerian Navy as the hegemony. That was not the principle of the other Director Generals. They sought other concepts, with more emphasis on security rather than safety. His knowledge of the seas and oceans was borne out of his insatiable appetite to read and research on issues. He knew the maritime campaigns, the actors and their successes and flaws. We would discus the Normandy Landing and the Falklands Landings, within the ideals of Amphibious Operations drawing estimates and parallels with the Bonny Landings and the ECOMOG Assault on Monrovia. For an architect, I thought he must have attended a naval institution. He was a polymath and an avid reader. Our own “Leonardo da Vinci”. I am emphasizing on concepts of sea power because its my specialization. Ferd read the Classics. Hence, he could debate on any topic or issues including governance and politics.

From 2010, we compared notes on seminars, Chief of the Naval Staff Conferences, the International Maritime Conferences among others. Thus, when I wrote my book: “AN ADMIRAL’S COMPASS: REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP, MILITARY STRATEGY AND MARITIME SECURITY”, Ferd reviewed the book. The ‘review’ was published in three Newspapers including Thisday in June 2021. The review is the last chapter of the book and I quote his last two sentences; “This book is the author’s contribution to his call for a national discussion on these issues to create consensus around policy priorities, implementing structures, funding and investment in organizations, training and equipment for robust protection of Nigeria’s Maritime Space. Beyond that, An Admiral’s Compass is informative, authoritative and points to the True North for readers and leaders that value and demand vision, professionalism and mature judgement in those charged with duties and responsibilities as guardians of our maritime space.”

Late Ferd Agu was a a humble, cerebral colossus, who was very considerate and taught his friends how to give and support others without counting the cost. He was ‘fired up’ by sound good intellectual content discussions and debates. He was passionate about our country Nigeria and gave her his all. He was meticulous, brilliant and diligent, yet in all these, he exhibited an infectious humane characteristics that attracted people to him. He had unmitigated love for his friends, always ready to sacrifice his means and time even to his discomfort. He loved and believed in the renaissance of his tribe and people, contributing towards their emancipation and development. A Knight of the Anglican Communion, who exhibited the virtues of a great family man to the core. He loved his family to bits.

 I pray that these virtues and sterling characteristics will always be remembered in his honour. Good Night Ferd.

Rear Admiral Akpan (rtd.) is Managing Director, Fradan Iquoson Services