PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the death of former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who died on Sunday at the age of 71, as political leaders, religious organisations, traditional stakeholders and other prominent Nigerians mourned the former governor.
News Point Nigeria reports that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Kalu; the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF); Senators Onovwakpo, Ede Dafinone and Ovie Omo-Agege; the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought and other prominent figures have paid tributes to Uduaghan.
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Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the late former governor.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu.
As part of measures to honour the deceased, the incumbent governor, Oborevwori, has directed that all flags on public buildings across the state be flown at half-mast throughout the three-day mourning period.
Uduaghan governed Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Before becoming governor, he served as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 and as Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007.
In his condolence message, President Tinubu described Uduaghan as a public servant whose leadership was devoted to the development of Delta State and service to the nation.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I extend my condolences to the Uduaghan family, the government and the people of Delta State on the passing of former Governor Uduaghan, at 71.
“Dr Uduaghan was a public servant whose leadership was devoted to Delta State’s development and service to our nation.
“At this difficult time, I urge the people of Delta State to draw strength from the late governor’s years of service and the enduring relationships he built across the political and social terrain of our country.
“On behalf of my family, the Government, and the people of Nigeria, I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Roli; his children; his cousin, former Governor James Ibori; and friends and political associates whose lives he impacted.
“May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him.”
Governor Oborevwori, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, described Uduaghan as a detribalised leader whose contributions to the development of Delta State would not be forgotten.
He sympathised with the late governor’s wife, Roli; his children; the entire Uduaghan family; the Itsekiri nation; and the people of Delta State over the painful loss.
Recalling Uduaghan’s years in office, Oborevwori noted that the former governor made significant contributions to infrastructure development across the state.
He described Uduaghan as a leader who looked beyond ethnic differences and worked for the overall development of Delta State.
The governor said the deceased’s years in public service had left a positive mark on the state, adding that his death was a loss to Delta State and the country at large.
Senator Kalu, in a statement on Sunday, said he received the news of Uduaghan’s death with great sadness.
“I received with great sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Uduaghan.
“His death is a painful loss to his family, the people of Delta State and Nigeria at large,” Kalu said.
He described Uduaghan as an accomplished medical doctor, experienced administrator and dedicated public servant who devoted many years to serving the people of Delta State.
Kalu also noted that the late governor held several important positions in the state before becoming governor in 2007.
The 36 state governors, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, also mourned the former governor.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, the forum said its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed deep sorrow over Uduaghan’s passing.
“The Chairman of the NGF, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Dr. Uduaghan, who reportedly died at the age of 71 following a brief illness.
“The Forum acknowledges his years of public service and the responsibilities he undertook in leading Delta State. His passing is a moment of grief for his loved ones, associates and the wider community, as the state reflects on his life and contributions to public service.
“The NGF extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as all those who mourn his passing.”
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The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT) recalled that the former governor added immense value to Delta State during his time in office.
The secretary of the group, Sir Sunny Mene, who spoke to Vanguard by telephone, urged the political class to learn the twin lessons of cooperation and understanding, which he said paved the way for Uduaghan’s emergence as governor from a minority ethnic group in the state.
“On behalf of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought we are saddened by the news of the passing of former Governor Uduaghan.”
Mene also expressed profound grief over the death of the former governor, whom he described as his political father, leader and benefactor.
“It is with a heart weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow that I received the devastating news of the passing to glory of my beloved political father, leader and benefactor, Dr. Uduaghan.
“The family has rightly described his death as a profound loss to Delta State and Nigeria, and I concur wholeheartedly. This is not just the loss of a former governor; it is the painful exit of a source of strength, a father figure and a patriarch whose presence we shall deeply miss.
“I do not call him my political father for nothing. My entire journey in public service was charted by his kindness, trust and visionary leadership. Out of the kindness of his heart, after the 2007 elections, he appointed me as the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government, marking the beginning of my public service career.
“In 2009, that same father, in his wisdom, appointed me as the first Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, at a time the state was in dire need of a man to champion her vision of diversifying the economy. That singular act of confidence changed my life forever.
“On behalf of my family, the good people of Delta South senatorial district, and all those whose lives were touched by his benevolence,”
Dafinone Describes Uduaghan as Distinguished Elder Statesman
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, described the late Uduaghan as a distinguished elder statesman.
“Dr. Uduaghan will be remembered for his inclusive leadership, infrastructural strides and efforts towards promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic groups in Delta State. His legacy of service transcended political and ethnic boundaries.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Delta Central senatorial district, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Roli, his children, the entire Uduaghan family, Governor Oborevwori, the Delta State government and the Itsekiri nation over this painful loss.”
Former Deputy President of the Senate and senatorial candidate of the NDC for the Delta Central zone in next year’s election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, recalled fond memories of the former governor from their time serving in the administration of former Governor James Ibori.
Omo-Agege said he knew Uduaghan as a calm, loyal and compassionate public servant who brought the empathy associated with his medical profession into governance.
His words: “This is a profound loss. We served together under our leader, Chief Ibori. He was Secretary to the State Government, and I was Executive Assistant to the Governor. I knew him as calm in a crisis, loyal, humane and decent. He brought a doctor’s compassion into government.
“On behalf of my family, my political family and the good people of Delta Central, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Roli, his children, Orode and Toju; the Uduaghan family of Abigborodo; the Itsekiri Nation; our leader, Chief James Ibori; the Government and people of Delta State; and all who mourn him.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also expressed sadness over the former governor’s death, extending its sympathies to his family, the Delta State Government, the people of the state and all those mourning him.
In a statement, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended Uduaghan’s commitment to dialogue, confidence-building and national cohesion.
“His commitment to dialogue, confidence-building and the preservation of national unity remains worthy of commendation,” Okoh said.
He described Uduaghan’s passing as a loss to his family and everyone who valued his contributions to public service and nation-building.
Former Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, said Uduaghan revolutionised governance at the subregional level through innovative policies, programmes and initiatives, demonstrating that states could do much more to improve the lives of their people.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of this great man. I had the privilege of working closely with him in his second term as Commissioner for Information. His major pre-occupation was always what to do to improve the quality of living of the people and residents of Delta State.”
Ogeah said the late governor consistently focused on initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of residents across the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and former General Officer Commanding MEND, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, said Uduaghan contributed immensely to peace in the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued by his media consultant, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo said he received the news of the former governor’s death with sadness and had not expected such news at this time.
The statement read: “The attention of Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation has been drawn to the death of Dr. Uduaghan.
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“Chief Ekpemupolo received the news of the death of the former governor of the state with sadness, that he was not expecting this sad news at this time.”
Tompolo recalled Uduaghan’s role during the period of militancy in the Niger Delta, particularly his support for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the pipeline surveillance job awarded during the administrations of late President Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
