…Senator recalls late ex-governor’s role in his political journey
...Says Isoko nation has lost a true friend
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, representing Delta South Senatorial District, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, describing him as a father, mentor and benefactor who played a defining role in his political journey.
Uduaghan died on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of public service and relationships that extended across political and ethnic divides.
In a tribute titled “Oh Asamaigor: Mourning the Departure of My Father, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,” the senator recalled how the late governor gave him his first major opportunity in public service and continued to guide him long after he left office.
For Joel-Onowakpo, the loss goes beyond the death of a former governor. It is the loss of a man who believed in him, opened doors for him and remained interested in his growth.
He recalled that Uduaghan appointed him chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area after the 2007 elections, giving him the opportunity to begin his journey in public service.
Two years later, in 2009, the former governor appointed him pioneer Executive Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, a move the senator said changed his life and gave him a wider platform to contribute to the development of the state.
“Out of the kindness of his heart, after the 2007 elections, he appointed me as the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government, marking the beginning of my public service career,” he said.
Recalling his time at the revenue board, Joel-Onowakpo said Uduaghan entrusted him with the responsibility at a time when Delta needed to strengthen its revenue base and broaden its economic opportunities.
He said the former governor’s confidence in him was one of the defining moments of his career, adding that the opportunity came with the responsibility to serve the state and justify the trust placed in him.
Uduaghan served as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 and Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007 before becoming governor in May 2007. He remained in office until May 2015.
Joel-Onowakpo said the former governor’s administration pursued a three-point agenda centred on human capital development, infrastructure development, and peace and security.
But beyond the projects executed during his tenure, the senator said what stood out for him was Uduaghan’s willingness to identify people with potential and give them opportunities to grow.
“He was a leader who did not just build infrastructure; he built people,” he said.
The senator said the former governor’s support did not end with political appointments or the years they spent working together. Even after leaving office, Uduaghan remained someone he could turn to for advice, particularly when he considered contesting for a seat in the National Assembly.
That continued support, he said, was the mark of a man who took a genuine interest in the progress of those he mentored.
Joel-Onowakpo recalled that when Uduaghan celebrated his 70th birthday, he praised him for nurturing people who had gone on to contribute to the development of Delta State and Nigeria.
Those words, he said, remained true even in death, as the former governor’s influence could still be seen in the lives and careers of those he encouraged.
The senator described Uduaghan as a detribalised leader who built relationships across ethnic lines, adding that his death would be deeply felt by Deltans, particularly the Isoko people, who regarded him as a friend.
“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.
Joel-Onowakpo extended his condolences to Uduaghan’s wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, his children, the Uduaghan family of Abigborodo, the people of Warri North and the entire Delta State.
He also conveyed his sympathy to the many people whose lives were touched by the former governor’s generosity and leadership, praying that God would grant the family and all those mourning him the strength to bear the loss.
For the senator, the farewell was deeply personal, marking the end of a relationship built on trust, gratitude and years of guidance.
“Adieu, Asamaigor! Adieu, father!” he said.
