I Genuinely Appreciate Oba Of Benin’s Reproves Of My Stewardship – Prince Agba

The Immediate past minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has said that he genuinely appreciated the reproves given to him the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom, stressing that they were unquestionably driven out of love.

Agba, who stated this in a statement on Thursday while reacting to different reactions over the matter of his recent castigation by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, over his stewardship while in office, said that he held no ill will against the Bini Monarch.

The Oba of Benin had recently castigated Agba in his palace for lack of adequate representation as a minister from Edo State in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Agba while dissociating himself from what seems like a parallel position by some stakeholders in the matter, said that he was not in disagreement towards the Oba of Benin, thus, called people engaged in the attempt to create a mount hill of the issue to desist from what he described as “fruitless pursuit”.

The former minister stressed that he never sought nor sponsored any of the commentaries and articles that surfaced as it was not in his nature to join issues in the public.

In the words of Agba; “Therefore, for the sake of accuracy, let me reiterate emphatically: I do not, I repeat, I do not, and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever.

“He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State. During my visit, he asked certain questions in the public eye. However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers.

“Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the Budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention,” he said.

Find below Agba’s statement:   

“I would like to address some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom, about my stewardship which every public servant should be asked, during my visit to the Palace on Thursday, June 15, 2023, following my service as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

“I must express that I genuinely appreciate the reprovals given by His Royal Majesty, as they were unquestionably driven out of love. It reminds me of the timeless wisdom in Proverbs 3:2: “For whom the Lord loves, He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (NASB 1995 Version).

“Let me make it clear, without any doubt, that the commentaries and articles that have surfaced are neither sought nor sponsored by me. It is not my nature to join issues in the public.

“Therefore, for the sake of accuracy, let me reiterate emphatically: I do not, I repeat, I do not, and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever. He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State. During my visit, he asked certain questions in the public eye. However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the Budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention.

“To those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicise the situation (for me and against me) and draw unnecessary comparisons between my three-and-a-half years’ stewardship and the eight-year stewardship of the former Minister of Health, Dr Osage Ehanire from Edo South, I kindly request that they discontinue this fruitless pursuit.

“I wholeheartedly understand the points raised by His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom. I hold no ill will or disagreement towards our revered Royal Father or his genuine concerns. Instead, I eagerly look forward to more of such fatherly guidance, as it is invaluable for my personal growth and development.”

Signed
Prince Clem Ikanade Agba
Ofevwosi of Unemeland|Oduma of Auchi Sacred Kingdom | Otunba of Ejukuland