President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and senators, including Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, have mourned Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Delta State, who died on Monday at the age of 71.
Uduaghan’s death was announced in a statement issued by his family and signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan.
The former governor died on October 19, three days before his 72nd birthday.
In a condolence message issued on Monday, Tinubu described Uduaghan as a public servant whose leadership was devoted to the development of Delta State and service to Nigeria.
“Dr Uduaghan was a public servant whose leadership was devoted to Delta State’s development and service to our nation,” the president said.
The president said Uduaghan pursued initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare delivery and the welfare of residents during his tenure.
Tinubu extended his condolences to Uduaghan’s wife, Roli, his children, cousin and former Delta governor James Ibori, as well as his friends and political associates.
“His passing is a great loss to his family, his community, Delta State, and the nation at large,” he said.
The president urged residents of Delta State to draw strength from the late governor’s years of service and the relationships he built across the country.
NGF PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER DELTA GOVERNOR
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the NGF and governor of Kwara State, also expressed sorrow over Uduaghan’s death.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Yunusa Abdullahi, the forum’s director of media and strategic communications, AbdulRazaq described the death as a moment of grief for the former governor’s family, associates and the wider community.
The NGF acknowledged Uduaghan’s years in public service and his leadership of Delta State between 2007 and 2015.
The forum extended its condolences to his family and the people of Delta State, expressing hope that memories of his life and service would bring comfort to those mourning him.
NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN EXPRESSES GRIEF
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, also mourned the former governor, describing his death as a profound loss to his family and the people of Delta State.
In a condolence message, she paid tribute to Uduaghan’s years in public service, describing him as a revered elder and family patriarch.
“Words are painfully inadequate to express the depth of my sorrow at the passing of His Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan,” she said.
“His death is a profound loss, and my heart goes out to the entire Uduaghan family at this incredibly difficult moment.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said Uduaghan’s contributions to public service would remain part of his legacy.
“Public office eventually comes to an end, but the memories of a life devoted to service endure,” she said.
She also prayed for strength and comfort for the bereaved family.
JOEL-ONOWAKPO RECALLS UDUAGHAN’S MENTORSHIP
Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, senator representing Delta South, described Uduaghan as his “political father” and said the former governor played a defining role in his public service career.
In a condolence message titled “Oh Asamaigor: Mourning the Departure of my Father, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan!”, Thomas described Uduaghan’s death as a painful loss to Delta State, the Isoko nation and his family.
Thomas said Uduaghan appointed him chairman of Isoko South LGA after the 2007 elections, marking the beginning of his public service career.
He said the former governor appointed him in 2009 as the first executive chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, describing the appointment as life-changing.
“That singular act of confidence changed my life forever,” he said.
Thomas said Uduaghan’s leadership was guided by a three-point agenda focused on human capital development, infrastructure development, and peace and security.
“He was a leader who did not just build infrastructure; he built people,” the senator said.
The lawmaker added that Uduaghan continued to mentor and support him after leaving office, including when he sought his advice on contesting for a seat in the national assembly.
“Deltans have lost a detribalised leader, Isoko nation has lost a true friend, and I have lost the very man who considered my growth as his personal responsibility,” he said.
Born on October 22, 1954, Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 before becoming secretary to the state government (SSG) from 2003 to 2007.
He was elected governor in 2007 and served until 2015.
