Describes former Governor’s death as monumental loss to Itsekiri Nation, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Comrade Mulade Sheriff, PhD, National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency and Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has paid a glowing tribute to former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, describing his death as an irreparable loss to Delta State, the Itsekiri Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Mulade, in a condolence message issued on behalf of the Board of Trustees, management, staff and volunteers of CEPEJ, as well as the peace-loving people of Warri Federal Constituency, said the passing of the former governor marked the end of an illustrious chapter in Delta State’s political and developmental history.
Uduaghan reportedly died in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 71, barely three days before his 72nd birthday.
The CEPEJ coordinator described the late former governor as a political colossus, a father figure and an elder statesman whose contributions to governance, peacebuilding and human development would remain indelible in the history of the state.
According to him, Uduaghan’s death was not merely the loss of a former governor but the departure of a distinguished leader whose life was defined by service, compassion and commitment to humanity.
Born on October 22, 1954, in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, into the royal Uduaghan family of Itsekiri extraction, the former governor distinguished himself in the medical profession before venturing into public service.
He attended Federal Government College, Warri, and the University of Benin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and a Diploma in Anaesthesia.
He subsequently served as a medical practitioner and consultant anaesthesiologist in several medical institutions, including Delta Steel Company Medical Centre, Westend Hospital, Warri, Benoni Hospital, Benin City, and Shell Hospital, Ogunu, before establishing his private medical practice in Warri in 1994.
Mulade noted that Uduaghan’s transition from the medical profession to public administration demonstrated his enduring passion for service and his determination to make a difference in the lives of the people.
His political journey saw him serve as Commissioner for Health between 1999 and 2003 under the administration of former Governor James Onanefe Ibori, before becoming Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007.
He was subsequently elected Governor of Delta State in 2007 and served two consecutive terms until May 29, 2015, when he handed over to his successor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
**A Legacy Defined by Action**
Reflecting on Uduaghan’s eight-year administration, Mulade said the late governor earned the popular sobriquet, *’The Talk and Do Governor,’* because his achievements spoke louder than political rhetoric.
He explained that the administration’s development philosophy was anchored on the Three-Point Agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development, and Infrastructure Development.
He also highlighted the late governor’s Delta Beyond Oil initiative, describing it as a forward-looking economic diversification programme designed to reduce the state’s dependence on crude oil revenue through investments in agriculture, tourism, entertainment, small and medium-scale enterprises, and industrial development.
According to Mulade, Uduaghan demonstrated exceptional leadership in peacebuilding, particularly in the Niger Delta, where his interventions contributed significantly to restoring stability and creating an enabling environment for economic activities.
He particularly recalled the former governor’s role in supporting the Federal Government’s Niger Delta Amnesty Programme under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, noting that his peace initiatives helped address insecurity and militancy in the region.
On infrastructure, Mulade identified the establishment of the Asaba International Airport, expansion of the Osubi Airstrip, development of the Asaba capital territory, construction and rehabilitation of major roads, and improvement of drainage infrastructure as some of the enduring legacies of the administration.
He further commended Uduaghan’s investment in healthcare and education, particularly the introduction of free maternal healthcare for pregnant women and free medical services for children under five years.
Other landmark achievements, he said, included the establishment of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara (DELSUTH), 13 model secondary schools and 54 model primary schools across the state.
The CEPEJ coordinator also recalled the former governor’s commitment to youth development through initiatives such as the First-Class Graduate Scholarship Scheme, which provided opportunities for outstanding graduates to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.
He noted that Uduaghan’s contributions to public service earned him several recognitions, including the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Vanguard Man of the Year 2013.
**A Friend of Civil Society and Environmental Advocacy**
Speaking on his personal relationship with the deceased, Mulade described Uduaghan as a father figure and a compassionate leader who maintained an open-door policy towards civil society organisations, youth groups and advocates of peace and environmental justice.
He said CEPEJ would particularly remember the former governor for his support for peacebuilding efforts and environmental advocacy in the Niger Delta.
Mulade stressed that Uduaghan’s leadership went beyond political office, adding that his accessibility, willingness to engage stakeholders and commitment to regional stability made him an enduring figure in the struggle for peace and sustainable development.
He extended condolences to the former governor’s wife, Her Excellency, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan; his children; former Governor James Onanefe Ibori; Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; the Uduaghan Royal Family of Abigborodo; the Itsekiri Nation and the entire people of Delta State.
Describing the deceased as a leader who had fought a good fight and left behind a legacy worthy of remembrance, Mulade prayed that Almighty God would grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, associates and the people of Delta State the strength to bear the loss.
He concluded: “You came, you saw, you touched lives, and you conquered. You fought a good fight. You finished your course. You kept the faith.
“Goodnight, Your Excellency. Goodnight, the Talk and Do Governor. Goodnight, Ewo of Warri Kingdom. Adieu!”
