Senate Mourns Uduaghan, Hails Legacy in Healthcare, Infrastructure, Niger Delta Development

The Senate has paid tribute to former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, describing him as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to healthcare, infrastructure and regional development left a lasting impact on Delta State and the Niger Delta.

The lawmakers, during plenary, observed a minute’s silence in honour of the former governor, who died on October 19, 2026, shortly before his 72nd birthday.

The tributes followed a motion sponsored by Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, representing Delta South, and co-sponsored by Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).

Uduaghan served as Delta State governor from 2007 to 2015, having previously held the positions of commissioner for health and secretary to the state government.

Moving the motion, Thomas highlighted the late governor’s contributions to healthcare delivery, education, infrastructure and economic diversification, particularly through initiatives aimed at reducing the state’s dependence on oil revenue.

He recalled that Uduaghan, a medical doctor by profession, introduced free maternal and under-five healthcare programmes during his administration to improve access to essential medical services for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.

Thomas also cited investments in the Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Oghara, educational infrastructure, road construction and the development of Asaba International Airport as significant aspects of the former governor’s legacy.

The motion urged the Delta State Government to preserve records of major programmes and development initiatives undertaken during Uduaghan’s administration as part of the state’s institutional history.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, said Uduaghan’s years in public service were defined by his commitment to the people.

He noted that the former governor would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on October 22, 2026.

“His life is to be remembered as one of humility and service to his people,” Dafinone said.

He added that Uduaghan had touched numerous lives through his years as commissioner for health, secretary to the state government and governor.

“Public service is marked by the number of lives touched in service, and there is no doubt that in his eight years as governor, his position as secretary to the government and commissioner of health, our late governor touched very, very many lives,” he said.

Dafinone extended his condolences to the deceased’s immediate family, the Itsekiri nation, the people of Delta State and Nigerians generally.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, described Uduaghan as a key contributor to efforts to promote economic cooperation among states in the South-South region.

Recalling their time as governors, Oshiomhole said Uduaghan played a prominent role in supporting the establishment of the BRACED Commission, a regional initiative designed to promote cooperation and economic development among South-South states.

He said the initiative sought to harness the region’s natural resources and human capital to build a stronger economic bloc beyond dependence on oil.

Oshiomhole also praised Uduaghan’s contributions to infrastructure development across Delta State, including the development of Asaba as the state capital.

“He may have been born as an Itsekiri man by accident of birth, but actually he was a proud son of Delta, and he deployed all he had to upgrade the living standard of Delta,” he said.

Reflecting on the late governor’s legacy, Oshiomhole added: “Uduaghan was of my height, but his legacy was much more taller than God gave him vertically.”

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and urged Nigerians to reflect on the importance of service and the legacies public officials leave behind.

Senator Jide Ipinagba, representing Ondo North, said he had known Uduaghan since the late 1980s, when they worked together in the Warri Junior Chamber and later crossed paths in the oil and gas industry.

Describing the former governor as transparent and approachable, Ipinagba said he was committed to serving humanity.

“Doctor Emmanuel Uduaghan was a very transparent person, right down to earth,” he said.

He added that Uduaghan’s contributions extended beyond politics into professional and community service, noting his involvement with Junior Chamber International.

Ipinagba prayed for the peaceful repose of the former governor’s soul.

Senator Francis Faduyile, representing Ondo South, paid tribute to Uduaghan’s achievements in the medical profession and healthcare administration.

Faduyile, a medical doctor, said Uduaghan earned respect among healthcare professionals for his efforts to improve medical services during his tenure as governor.

He recalled that Delta State hosted the first national health summit of the Nigerian Medical Association during Uduaghan’s administration.

According to him, discussions at the summit contributed to efforts that helped shape the National Health Act.

“The medical association, the Nigerian Medical Association, has given him a lot of awards for being a forthright medical doctor, and it pained us that one of our best has transited,” Faduyile said.

He expressed condolences on behalf of Nigerian doctors and the medical community, acknowledging the former governor’s contributions to public health and administration.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of the co-sponsors of the motion, described the late governor as a compassionate, patient and thoughtful person who offered guidance to members of his family.

Speaking about their family relationship, she said Uduaghan was more than an in-law to her, describing him as a father figure who was always willing to provide counsel.

“He is one with a compassionate heart. He is of a quiet nature. He doesn’t dabble into what does not concern him, but whenever he sets his mind upon a task, he makes sure he sees to the end of it,” she said.

She added that his death would be deeply felt by his family, the medical community and the people of Delta State.

Akpoti-Uduaghan prayed for strength for the family and all those mourning the former governor.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, described Uduaghan as an exemplary governor who pursued development without seeking public attention.

“He was an exemplary governor. He was a very silent operator. He didn’t make noise. He wasn’t a show governor,” Nwoko said.

He described the former governor as calm, focused and accessible, citing the construction of Asaba International Airport as an example of his commitment to development.

Nwoko recalled that, while serving in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, he had pursued approval for an airport in Asaba.

He said that after Uduaghan became governor, the former governor sought a copy of the approval and proceeded with the project.

“He asked me whether I had any contractor in mind. I mentioned the one I knew, a local contractor,” Nwoko said, recounting the discussions that preceded the construction of the airport.

He said the project demonstrated Uduaghan’s willingness to listen to ideas and follow through on development commitments.

Nwoko added that the former governor’s leadership style was characterised by humility and a lack of arrogance.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Uduaghan as a committed leader who overcame significant political challenges during his time as governor.

Akpabio recalled that they were political contemporaries and received their respective party tickets during the same period.

He said Uduaghan faced considerable opposition from political stakeholders in Delta State but remained determined to pursue his political and developmental objectives.

The Senate President also recalled the late governor’s role in strengthening regional cooperation through the BRACED Commission and initiatives aimed at diversifying the South-South economy beyond oil.

Akpabio said the former governor contributed to efforts to improve economic cooperation, infrastructure and stability in the Niger Delta.

He further noted that regional leaders of the period had sought ways to address longstanding grievances over resource distribution and underdevelopment, circumstances that contributed to unrest in the region.

The Senate President offered condolences to Uduaghan’s family, the Delta State Government and the people of the state.

He said the former governor’s years in public service and contributions to regional development would remain part of his legacy.

Following the tributes, the Senate adopted resolutions to honour the late former governor and commiserate with his family and the people of Delta State.

The chamber observed a minute’s silence in recognition of his years of service to the state and the country.

Lawmakers also resolved to convey the Senate’s condolences to his family, the Delta State Government and the people of the state.

The Senate further urged the Delta State Government to preserve records of significant public programmes and development initiatives undertaken during Uduaghan’s administration for future generations.

The lawmakers prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant his family, friends, associates and the people of Delta State the strength to bear the loss.