From Francis Sadhere, Warri
The National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has mourned the death of former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Delta State, the Itsekiri Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Mulade, who is also the Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), said Uduaghan’s death marked the end of an era, describing the former governor as a statesman whose contributions to peace, healthcare, infrastructure and human capital development would remain indelible.
Uduaghan died in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 71, three days before his 72nd birthday.
In a condolence statement, Mulade said he received the news with profound shock and a heavy heart on behalf of CEPEJ’s Board of Trustees, management, staff and volunteers, as well as the peace-loving people of Warri Federal Constituency.
He described the late former governor as “the fall of an Iroko” and “the exit of a political colossus,” noting that his death had created a significant vacuum in the political and developmental history of Delta State.
According to him, Uduaghan’s life was defined by service to humanity, from his career as a medical doctor to his years in public office.
Born on October 22, 1954, in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area, the late governor attended Federal Government College, Warri, before proceeding to the University of Benin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree and a Diploma in Anaesthesia.
He practised as a medical doctor in several hospitals, including Delta Steel Company Medical Centre, Westend Hospital in Warri, Benoni Hospital in Benin City and Shell Hospital in Ogunu, before establishing his private medical practice in Warri in 1994.
Mulade recalled that Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 under former Governor James Onanefe Ibori, before becoming Secretary to the State Government between 2003 and 2007.
He was elected governor in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served two terms until May 29, 2015, when he handed over to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The CEPEJ coordinator said Uduaghan earned the sobriquet, “Talk and Do Governor,” because of his administration’s emphasis on practical projects and policies.
He noted that the late governor’s Three-Point Agenda, which focused on peace and security, human capital development and infrastructure, alongside the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, reflected his vision of preparing the state for a future beyond crude oil dependence.
Mulade particularly praised Uduaghan’s contributions to peace and security in the Niger Delta, crediting him with playing a significant role in efforts to restore stability in the oil-producing communities and support the Federal Government’s Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.
He said the relative peace achieved during the period helped create an environment for economic activities and development in the region.
On infrastructure, Mulade listed the establishment of Asaba International Airport, the expansion of Osubi Airstrip, road construction and urban development projects among the achievements associated with the former governor’s administration.
He also highlighted Uduaghan’s contributions to healthcare, particularly free maternal healthcare for pregnant women and free medical services for children under five, as well as the establishment of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
The former governor’s investments in education and youth development, including model primary and secondary schools and scholarships for first-class graduates pursuing postgraduate studies abroad, were also cited as important aspects of his legacy.
Mulade said Uduaghan’s background as a medical doctor informed his commitment to improving the welfare of residents, particularly vulnerable women and children.
“At CEPEJ, we will forever remember Dr Uduaghan as a peace-loving leader who always opened his doors to civil society organisations and youth groups,” he said, adding that the deceased was a father figure to him and a strong supporter of environmental justice and peace advocacy in the Niger Delta.
He extended his condolences to Uduaghan’s wife, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan; his children; former Governor Ibori; the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; the Uduaghan royal family of Abigborodo; and the entire Itsekiri Nation.
Mulade urged the bereaved family, the government and the people of Delta State to take solace in the former governor’s contributions to the development of the state and the lives he touched during his lifetime.
He prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family and associates the strength to bear the loss.
“Goodnight, Your Excellency. Goodnight, the Talk and Do Governor. Goodnight, Ewo of Warri Kingdom,” he said.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has mourned the death of former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Delta State, the Itsekiri Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Mulade, who is also the Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), said Uduaghan’s death marked the end of an era, describing the former governor as a statesman whose contributions to peace, healthcare, infrastructure and human capital development would remain indelible.
Uduaghan died in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 71, three days before his 72nd birthday.
In a condolence statement, Mulade said he received the news with profound shock and a heavy heart on behalf of CEPEJ’s Board of Trustees, management, staff and volunteers, as well as the peace-loving people of Warri Federal Constituency.
He described the late former governor as “the fall of an Iroko” and “the exit of a political colossus,” noting that his death had created a significant vacuum in the political and developmental history of Delta State.
According to him, Uduaghan’s life was defined by service to humanity, from his career as a medical doctor to his years in public office.
Born on October 22, 1954, in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area, the late governor attended Federal Government College, Warri, before proceeding to the University of Benin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree and a Diploma in Anaesthesia.
He practised as a medical doctor in several hospitals, including Delta Steel Company Medical Centre, Westend Hospital in Warri, Benoni Hospital in Benin City and Shell Hospital in Ogunu, before establishing his private medical practice in Warri in 1994.
Mulade recalled that Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 under former Governor James Onanefe Ibori, before becoming Secretary to the State Government between 2003 and 2007.
He was elected governor in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served two terms until May 29, 2015, when he handed over to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The CEPEJ coordinator said Uduaghan earned the sobriquet, “Talk and Do Governor,” because of his administration’s emphasis on practical projects and policies.
He noted that the late governor’s Three-Point Agenda, which focused on peace and security, human capital development and infrastructure, alongside the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, reflected his vision of preparing the state for a future beyond crude oil dependence.
Mulade particularly praised Uduaghan’s contributions to peace and security in the Niger Delta, crediting him with playing a significant role in efforts to restore stability in the oil-producing communities and support the Federal Government’s Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.
He said the relative peace achieved during the period helped create an environment for economic activities and development in the region.
On infrastructure, Mulade listed the establishment of Asaba International Airport, the expansion of Osubi Airstrip, road construction and urban development projects among the achievements associated with the former governor’s administration.
He also highlighted Uduaghan’s contributions to healthcare, particularly free maternal healthcare for pregnant women and free medical services for children under five, as well as the establishment of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
The former governor’s investments in education and youth development, including model primary and secondary schools and scholarships for first-class graduates pursuing postgraduate studies abroad, were also cited as important aspects of his legacy.
Mulade said Uduaghan’s background as a medical doctor informed his commitment to improving the welfare of residents, particularly vulnerable women and children.
“At CEPEJ, we will forever remember Dr Uduaghan as a peace-loving leader who always opened his doors to civil society organisations and youth groups,” he said, adding that the deceased was a father figure to him and a strong supporter of environmental justice and peace advocacy in the Niger Delta.
He extended his condolences to Uduaghan’s wife, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan; his children; former Governor Ibori; the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; the Uduaghan royal family of Abigborodo; and the entire Itsekiri Nation.
Mulade urged the bereaved family, the government and the people of Delta State to take solace in the former governor’s contributions to the development of the state and the lives he touched during his lifetime.
He prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family and associates the strength to bear the loss.
“Goodnight, Your Excellency. Goodnight, the Talk and Do Governor. Goodnight, Ewo of Warri Kingdom,” he said.
