By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Agbaja Professors Association of Nigeria (APAN) has honoured the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COMAG Steel and Construction Company Limited, Cosmas Agu, and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, Festus Uzor, with awards of 2026 4th Enugu Okaibe Laureate and 4th Enugu Okaibe Lecturer respectively.
The event with the theme ‘Combating Insecurity in Nigeria. Evaluating the case for State Police’, took place at Amadeo Events Center, Enugu.
Chairman, Agbaja Association Worldwide and also Chairman of the event’s Planning Committee, Engr. Paschal Okolie, in his remarks, said that the reason for the Okaibe award is to reward excellence.
He commended the winner of the 2026 Okaibe Award, Agu, for the construction industry and youth empowerment award, pointing out that CEO is actually a man of the people.
Okolie also commended the lecturer, Rt. Hon. Uzor for delivering a contemporary lecture on the issue of insecurity, evaluating the state police in the process.
He noted that the lecture will help APAN contribute ideas to the proposed State Police Bill.
Uzor had in his lecture advocated for state police, saying it will help to reduce crime.
He recommended adequate funding of state police, operational control and safeguard, national standard and certification, limited federal intervention, operational certification and others, for the model to function smoothly.
On his part, Agu, who is also a lawyer and a practical engineer, appreciated APAN for the Okaibe award.
He narrated how COMAG was founded in 1990 starting with steel and stock in steel materials.
According to him, while incorporating the company “we needed expansion and we added construction. In the steel business, we started little and grew up to a height that we became the biggest importer of steel in this country. We became the biggest in steel distribution and local manufacturer. We expanded to oil services, fabricating for the biggest platform in offshore, fabricating for Shell, Mobil, Total and Agip.”
Agu added: “Until sometime in 2008, because of COMAG policy, we started building roads for government. We have built as of today over 1800kms of roads all over Nigeria and those roads are still intact.”
He disclosed that the secret to his greatness is respect for elders, commitment to hard work and sincerity.
The CEO advised the youth not to rush in life but take life step by step, stressing that a journey of 10,000 miles begins with a step.
A legal practitioner, Barrister Tony Ani, who spoke to journalists, appreciated APAN for honouring Agu with the prestigious Okaibe award, stressing that Agu’s reputation transcends Umuoka, Udi, Agbaja, Enugu State, cutting across the country.
He hailed him as a true illustrious son of the Igbo nation.
Ani advised the younger generation to be hardworking and shun the get-rich-quick syndrome, insisting that the secret behind every successful business man is hard work, sincerity of purpose and fear of God.
He furthermore congratulated the recipient and urged him to “continue doing what he is doing that one day Nigeria will recognise and reward him.”
The Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Mr Hyginus Agu, thanked APAN for honouring Agu with the prestigious Okaibe award, noting that the award recipient is indeed an Okaibe (Greater Than Others) as he has distinguished himself in business, the legal profession and also in moulding human beings especially through empowerment.
“We celebrate him today. We wish him the best. Just like you heard, in the near future the world will celebrate him,” the Chairman echoed.
*PHOTO CAPTION: The award recipients.
