OBARISI OVIE OMO-AGEGE

Early Life, Background & Education

Full name: Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege

Date of Birth: 3 August 1963

Place of Birth: Orogun, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State (then Mid-Western Region)

Ethnicity / Origin: He is from the Orogun clan of the Urhobo ethnic group.

Family:
– His father was Justice James Omo-Agege, a jurist and one-time Chief Judge in Delta State.
– His mother, Francesca Okwendo, is of the Wanogho Royal Family, also of Orogun.

Education:
– Secondary: St. George’s Grammar School, Obinomba (Obiaruku), in Ukwuani / Delta State.
– University: University of Benin, law degree, 1985.
– Called to Nigerian Bar in 1986.
– Postgraduate: Master of Laws (LL.M) from Tulane University (USA) in 2002.

Legal & Early Career

After Law School, served NYSC — posted in Kwara State where he worked in the Directorate of Criminal Investigation & Intelligence with the Nigerian Police Force.

Began private legal practice:
– In 1987 with Pat Okupa & Co., Lagos.
– In 1989 co-founded Agege & Co. in Lagos.
– In 1990, moved to USA: worked as foreign associate at Charles O. Agege’s law office (Los Angeles) doing litigation and advisory on matters involving Nigeria law etc.
– Admitted to California State Bar; also admitted to practice in US District Court (Central District of California) and the US Supreme Court.
– Returned to Nigeria in ~1992 and established Omo-Agege & Associates; later merged into Agege & Esin in 1996.

Political Career

Early political roles in Delta State:
– In 2002, he contested PDP primaries for a Ughhelli Federal Constituency House of Reps ticket but lost.
– In 2003, appointed as Executive Assistant to Governor James Ibori.
– 2005-2007: Commissioner for Special Duties in Delta State.
– In 2007, became Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Delta State under Governor Ibori.

Senate career:
– Elected Senator for Delta Central Senatorial District in 2015, under Labour Party.
– Later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in March 2017.
– Re-elected in 2019 under the APC.

Leadership roles:
– On 11 June 2019, Omo-Agege was elected Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate (9th National Assembly), defeating Ike Ekweremadu by 68 votes to 37.
– He was the first senator from Delta State, and specifically Delta Central, to hold that office.

Key Legislative & Constituency Achievements

Some of the reported achievements and projects during his tenure include:

Legislative bills he sponsored or supported:
– Bill establishing the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun as a special-university.
– Bill to prohibit sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
– Bill to amend the Electoral Act, and several others including National Electoral Offences Commission, Dormant Accounts Fund, amendments to Court of Appeal Act, National Industrial Court Act, Companies and Allied Matters Act.

Constituency / Infrastructure Projects:
– Dualization (road works) of Sapele-Ewu Road Section 1 & 2, spanning Delta & Edo states.
– Improvements in schools: renovation, setting up ICT centres in each LGAs; construction of classrooms, toilets in primary schools.
– Rural electrification / solar street lights; water supply projects; transformer substations in various communities; healthcare center constructions etc.

Other development / empowerment initiatives:
– Youth empowerment, agricultural programs via his foundation, facilitating government loans to young people.

Controversies

One of the most widely reported incidents is that in 2018, Omo-Agege was suspended by the Senate and later accused of leading thugs into the Senate Chamber to seize the Senate Mace.

Some criticisms come from political opponents over defections, intra-party conflicts, and claims about delivering on promises. (Standard for many Nigerian politicians in similar positions.)

Honors, Titles & Personal Life

Title / Honors:
– In October 2022, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
– Several traditional titles: Obarisi of Ughelli, Obarisi of Orogun, Obarisi of Effurun-Otor, Uvo of Mosogar, etc.

Personal Life:
– Married to Rosemary Omo-Agege. They have five children.
– He is Catholic.

Political Ambitions & Recent Developments

Omo-Agege contested (or was a candidate) for governorship of Delta State in 2023 under APC.

According to reports, in that election, he lost to Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP.

In campaigning, he highlighted achievements in power supply, school infrastructure, securing campuses, Nigerian Law School campus, etc., as proof of his capacity.

Significance and Assessment

Ovie Omo-Agege is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, especially in Delta State and more broadly in the South-South region.

His rise to Deputy Senate President marked a historic moment for Delta Central (first ever), enhancing his influence and visibility.

He is viewed by supporters as an effective constituency representative, known for delivering infrastructure, engaging in legislative reforms, and championing development projects.

But like many politicians, he also attracts criticism — from the mace incident, political maneuvering (party defection), and from those who feel some promises are yet to materialize.