DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed sadness over the death of a former governor of the state, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, describing him as a detribalised leader whose contributions to the development of the state would not be forgotten.
Uduaghan died on Monday morning, October 19, at the age of 71.
The Uduaghan family, in a statement, described his death as a devastating loss, saying he was a beloved father, brother, uncle and respected patriarch, whose life and service touched many people across Delta State and Nigeria.
It expressed gratitude to God for his life and legacy, while praying for divine comfort for relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and others mourning his death.
The family stated that his memory would remain forever in their hearts, concluding: “May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Oborevwori, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, sympathised with the late governor’s wife, Roli, his children, the entire Uduaghan family, the Itsekiri nation and Deltans over his death.
The governor recalled Uduaghan’s years in office, when he made significant contributions to infrastructure development in the state, described him as a leader who looked beyond ethnic differences and worked for the overall development of Delta State.
Oborevwori said Uduaghan’s years in public service had left a good mark on the state, adding that his death was a loss to Delta and the country at large.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and that God comfort his wife, children, family members, the Itsekiri nation and all those grieving his death.
This came months after the family dismissed on social media reports of his death.
Specifically on June 26, this year, reports claimed he had passed on led to concern among residents and political associates across the state, prompting his media aide, Henry Unini, to issue a statement dismissing the claims and assuring the public that Uduaghan was alive.
Unini stated: “I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive. Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from.
“The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually.”
While acknowledging that his principal had been experiencing health challenges, Ubini, however, maintained that the former governor was receiving medical attention, adding: “It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care.”
He stated that Uduaghan was recuperating, assuring the public that there was “no cause for alarm whatsoever” at the time.
He expressed appreciation to friends, well-wishers and residents of the state who contacted the family to verify his condition, urging them to continue to pray for Uduaghan and his family, adding that further updates would be made available to the public when necessary.
Unini cautioned against spreading unverified information, describing the earlier reports of the former governor’s death as “uncalled for.”
Uduaghan served as commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) from 2003 to 2007, before becoming governor on May 29, 2007, succeeding James Ibori.
He served two terms and left office in 2015.
