By Abiola Olawale
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, the Senator representing Delta South senatorial district of Delta State at the Senate; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, eminent journalist and a former Delta State Commissioner for Information, Ambassador Oma Djebah; former Commissioner for Finance, Delta State and Delta State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba; notable Nigerian actor and former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD); a former commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Tony Nwaka, and former Delta State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Charles Ajuyah(SAN), amongst a long list of others, have warmly congratulated Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, who clocked 70 years on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
In a media publication sighted by The New Diplomat, put out by those made up of largely former Delta State Commissioners and members of the State Executive Council during the tenure of Governor Uduaghan as well as other past government functionaries, including Council Chairmen, and friends of the former Delta state governor paid growing tributes to Uduaghan in heartwarming words and accolades. It was an advertorial in Vanguard newspaper of Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
They described Uduaghan as a distinguished gentleman, an accomplished professional and exemplary Nigerian.
The publication also wished the former governor a long life filled with peace, good health and prosperity.
The statement reads in part: ” We are grateful to God for the grace upon your life as you join the league of septuagenarians.
“Your exceptional display of capacity, competence, and character in governance has left an indelible mark on the sand of time, and particularly our collective memory.
“We, who had the privilege to serve our great State (Delta), during your tenure as governor, friends, associates, as well as admirers, extend our warmest congratulations to you on this auspicious occasion of your 70th Birthday.”
The New Diplomat reports that Uduaghan was born on 22 October 1954 to Chief Edmund and Mrs Cecilia Uduaghan of Abigborodo, in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He attended Baptist Primary School, Mosogar (1961–1966), and Federal Government College, Warri. He then pursued Higher Education at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where he graduated as a Medical Doctor between 1975 and 1980.
During his National Youth Service in Kwara State, Uduaghan was recognised and honored as the most outstanding medical doctor in his service year.
He also distinguished himself while working at the Delta Steel Company (DSC), Ovwian-Aladja, earning the General Manager’s Prize for Outstanding Service.
His love for public good and impact on society saw him serving variously as Secretary of both the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Warri branch, and the Association of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, Warri Zone, respectively.
In 1999, Uduaghan was appointed Commissioner for Health under the administration of Governor James Ibori. In 2003, he became Secretary to the State Government during Chief Ibori’s second term.
In 2007, Uduaghan was elected governor of Delta State, succeeding Chief Ibori. His eight-year tenure saw groundbreaking, historic transformations, notably the establishment of top-tier health facilities, including the state-of-the-art Teaching Hospitals, educational institutions, sports development, human capital upliftment, etc.
Uduaghan came well-prepared for governance. He also took a post-graduate certificate in Anaesthesia. As a medical doctor, he had a firm grasp of the diagnosis of the State’s challenges. He recorded big accomplishments as governor in crucial sectors such as education, Health, Sports, Diaspora development, peacebuilding and sustainability of enduring peace, human capital development of Deltans in all fields, Agriculture and food sufficiency, and transportation, amongst others. To many, his achievements in all these critical sectors were groundbreaking.
In recognition of his sterling performance, the Federal government honoured him with the national honour of CON.
He is married to Roli Nere Uduaghan, and they have two children: Orode Meyiwa Uduaghan, Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services, and Girl Child Development and Toritseju Uduaghan, an entrepreneur.
