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Arc Ferdinand Agu and his testimonials.

Dakuku Peterside

A tribute by Dakuku Peterside

When I arrived at NIMASA in March 2016 and started preaching the gospel of reforms and reputational restoration, the director-level cadre of the agency threw only one challenge at me: equal or surpass the record of a certain Arc. Ferdinand Agu, who had earlier served as DG/ CEO of the predecessor organisation to NIMASA, NMA.

That challenge set the stage for and the tone of my future engagements in the agency. First, who is this man who has become a source of leadership reference in NIMASA?

It was evident to all that we have only ever had very few of these agency leaders as role models and sources of inspiration for leadership.

Fewer have been superlative and exceptional . Therefore, it became imperative to extract the core elements of Arc Agu’s outstanding and qualitative performance prior to, during, and following his stay at NIMASA.

I reached out to him, and what I found challenged me even more. Here was a man of intellect, versatile, confidant yet humble,and desirous to assist.

I immediately bonded with him, and he became my unofficial adviser-in-chief. Like that proverbial eagle, Arc Ferdi Agu was exceptionally and irreversibly visionary, and quite aware of his capacity to contribute to the betterment of his society. He was equally skilled at translating his vision in any sector to reality.

I found him to be administratively savvy, an extremely well-organized professional who paid close attention to even the smallest details.

Despite his imposing height and stature, he exuded confidence and fearlessness while remaining incredibly humble.

In addition to having faith in himself, he frequently exhorts others to have faith in their own abilities and the beauty of their aspirations, and he is always ready to offer his intellect and experience to help you succeed.

Arc Agu loved the maritime industry as much as he loved Nigeria. His knowledge of the industry was nearly encyclopedic.

His passion for the country and its growth was second to none that I have seen around .

He was of Igbo parentage, but his network of friends came from every nook and cranny of Nigeria, and even he could not explain how he built that network.

I intentionally chose not to talk of my own personal encounters with him, as each occasion turned out to be a lesson on patriotism and leading when everything seemed to go south.

Arc Ferdi Agu was a rare human being, a gift to Nigeria that was highly underutilized, a patriot and most importantly, my elder brother and source of inspiration .

Arc Agu was the only Ferdi Agu that could be. Goodbye, our pathfinder and intellectual powerhouse.

Dakuku Peterside was a former DG NIMASA

Headlines

NPA: Starving the goose that lays the golden eggs

Chief Ibrahim Nasiru

Tomorrow, on Monday Discourse, Ibrahim Nasiru looks at what he describes as the paradox in the financing system of the Nigerian Ports Authority( NPA).

An agency which lays the golden eggs that feed the nation, yet has to borrow from external creditors to fix its infrastructures.

On Monday Discourse, Nasiru advises government to rethink Nigeria’s Port Financing Strategy

“The NPA is projecting a staggering ₦1.489 trillion in revenue for 2026. Yet, why are we still looking outward to borrow billions of dollars for Port Modernization?

“The truth is, Nigeria’s Ports are trapped in a fiscal paradox.

“We treat the NPA as a cash cow to fund federal deficits, sweeping its massive trillions into the central treasury, while leaving our 100-year-old Ports to starve of the vital liquidity needed for self maintenance.

“Forcing an agency to bleed cash to the treasury while begging foreign creditors for infrastructure loans is an unsustainable contradiction.

“If we are serious about the Blue Economy, it’s time for a legislative rethink that allows internal revenue retention for a dedicated Port Modernization Fund.

Read Nasiru’s analysis on why Nigerian Ports must feed themselves before they can sustainably feed the nation.

Keep a date with Nasiru on Monday Discourse tomorrow ,Monday, June 1st, 2026.

It’s a must read

Headlines

NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and technical advice from the Corporation’s Engineers.

The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.

“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.

“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.

“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.

Headlines

Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes

Gloria Odion, reporter

The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.

Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.

Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.

Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.