15/02/2025
UNDERSTANDING THE MAN, CHIEF HON. PRIMUS ODILI (OKOSISI AGULERI), HIS HUMILITY AND MEEKNESS.A CASE STUDY.
The taste of the pudding they say is in the eating. My intention in this write-up is to communicate my encounter with Hon Primus Odili and if it's the same with you, may the Lord be praised.
I was not close to Chief Primus Odili when he was the Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor of the State, Chief Willie Obiano. All I know about him from a distance is that he is a no nonsense seasoned administrator who came from America to work with the Governor.
He is that workaholic with great managerial ability who gets to the office by 8am and doesn’t leave until midnight and sometines 1am or 2am, and he's desirous of solving people’s problems and believed strongly that each day’s problems must not be carried over to the next day.
Coming from America in its own, is enough to win Chief Odili enough enemies, because to some local Politicians, Chief Odili is one of those who came from nowhere and displaced them, and to others, he has come to outshine them and of course to many, he's that humble unassuming young man who is ever willing to help.
It is only recently that I found out that Chief Odili was that young man who was the National Secretary of ASA USA and who has constantly organized annual Medical missions with ASA USA from 2004 through 2013, and the name Primus Odili is synonymous with assistance in Anambra, but this is not what I am here to talk about today.
The bureaucracy around governance probably made it difficult for me to access Chief Odili as the Chief of Staff but wait a minute, I did not even try to access him at the time because
Public office has its way of exposing or rebranding people. It either brings out the best or the worst in them.
I am yet to see that one person that went through the crucibles of public office and came out unblemished, as the complaints are same all the time with each person regardless of colour or race, young or old, male or female, they are all accused of forgetting their friends, of not answering their phones, not helping at all and where they do, it is not always enough.
Chief former Chief of Staff to Governor Obiano is not spared of these complaints from a few, despite the eulogies from many that “he is a good man”. even as the circumstances that surrounded his office as the Chief of Staff made it even more difficult for him to function more effectively.
His efficiency in office beclouded the unholy circumstances of ineffectiveness and he remains the acclaimed most powerful, most efficient Chief of Staff from Anambra State in recent times by my calculations.
Despite the perceived power flow and masterly exercise of authority, Chief Odili still has time for the poor and the needy, the meek and lowly, the downtrodden and weak of the society.
He makes out time to visit hospitals, picking up bills for the indigents regardless of where they come from. One of the greatest criticisms people have for Chief Odili is that he is non discriminatory in decision making, and that he patronizes outsiders more than his own people - although this is not the case as the yardstick for such unrealistic measurement is yet to be established.
He treats people equally and attends to them discretionally according to the urgency of their needs. A friend drew me closer to Chief Odili and my long distance lens became a magnifying glass that saw through the young man, an unassuming, humble, intelligent, calm, kind, generous, calculated and non discriminatory, innovative and humane personality.
Where have I been all these years, why have I not gotten close to this young man all these years? A man with strength of character, full of energy, very accommodating, inspiring and motivating. Many people I know who held public office lesser than that of Chief Odili would almost decide who breathes around them.
Many arrogated to themselves the powers that belong to God and God alone, “I remember a particular politician in Anambra state telling me that he will be in charge of all political engagements in Anambra for the next twenty years and I cannot do anything about it, and the fellow is unfortunately battling to survive today because he thought himself as God at some point and God visited him.
The Aguleri born technocrat in his humility demystified the office of the Chief of Staff, amplifying its singular objective which is service to the people as well as divested the office of all vested interests with the soul objective of carrying out functions as assigned to him by the Chief Executive.
This is why I decided to dwell on this topic today, making Chief Hon Primus Odili (Okosisi Aguleri) a case study.
Most people believed that Chief Odili as the Chief of Staff then was made to be nice to people by the virtue of his office and will soon disappear after office or at worst return back to America to continue with his flourishing Healthcare business.
It is almost 3 years now since the benefactor of many left office and while most people diminish and fizzle away by the day, Chief Odili has continued to tower higher and higher in magnanimity, Kindness and Love to the people.
This past 2024 Yuletide, the air was agog with Chief Primus Odili’s Okosisi Movement empowerment and Christmas giveaway for APGA faithfuls in Anambra North Senatorial Zone. It is great news of his good works all the way. When people were expecting him to return to America and relapse into absurdity like many have done already, Chief Primus has constantly kept fate with the people of his Senatorial Zone.
He has constantly called Stakeholders meetings and personally attended such meetings from far away America. and If APGA has an award for the most consistent APGA Faithful of the year, I will gladly recommend that it goes to Chief Primus Odili without question.
In Chief Hon Odili, I saw fidelity to APGA as a movement, I saw humility, sincerity, commitment and embodiment of wisdom and knowledge.
He was the secretary of the Campaign Committee that fought for Gov Obiano’s re-election and that team delivered 21/21, and the job exposed the humility of Chief Odili and showcased his resilience.
He amplified his strength in dealing with the people and sold himself to the generality of the public. No wonder he was called upon again to be the Secretary of the Campaign that elected Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, and I am a beneficiary of such wholesome purchase from the public domain and it is still all good, I will buy again if the opportunity arises for the up-teenth time.
Chief Odili is very hard working, very committed to service, unassuming, humane and very sincere.
It is almost three years since Okosisi Aguleri left office but he is still into the business of touching lives and building support for APGA and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
The last outing of Chief Odili on 29th December 2024 saw the presence of the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa the APGA Anambra State Chairman, Barrister Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, All Major APGA Stakeholders of Anambra North extraction, All Mayor’s from the seven Local Governments of Anambra North Senatorial Zone, All Party Chairmen from Anambra North Senatorial Zone, All women leaders, Youth leaders, APGA Apostles National and State Exco, House of Assembly Members and Commissioners from Anambra North Senatorial Zone etc.
it was a gathering of the Party High and Mighty from Anambra North and It shows acceptability, capacity, and it equally shows fidelity to the party.
He is still close to the people and does things for them even better than he was doing when he was in office. This is a true test of statesmanship. When everyone else is weary about APGA PARTY LEADERSHIP, Chief Odili demonstrated in truth that he is Mgbologu Okosisi Aguleri by continuing to host APGA Faithfuls in his house under the distinguished leadership of Bar Sly Ezeokenwa, and he has been vindicated today that APGA is still one rock solid movement under the able leadership of Bar Sly Ezeokenwa.
Chief Primus Odili is a shining example of a stakeholder's life after office, and he's even closer to the people and always available whenever he is needed.
His fidelity and allegiance to the party is worthy of emulation and his sincerity of purpose is unrivaled, and I am calling on all those occupying public office to please emulate Chief Hon Primus Odili Okosisi Aguleri.
We at Anambra North accept him, we appreciate him by, we show him overwhelming support because he is always there for us 100%.
INDEED! IT'S GOOD TO BE GOOD!
Austin Ezeani
Writes from Lagos Nigeria
