The passing of His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, came as a great shock to me. It is painful and devastating, particularly because of the special bond of friendship, mutual respect and trust that we shared over many years. His death is not merely the loss of a former governor and distinguished public servant; it is a personal loss to me and my family.
I first met Dr Uduaghan in 2002 when I became Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State under the administration of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. At the time, Dr Uduaghan was Commissioner but on 2nd June 2003 became Secretary to the Government of Delta State under the governorship of Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Our principals enjoyed a close relationship, and that friendship provided an opportunity for Dr Uduaghan and me to develop a bond of our own.
As Secretaries to our respective state governments, we frequently compared notes, exchanged ideas and discussed institutional building, public administration and good governance. Those engagements went beyond the demands of our official positions and developed into a lasting friendship founded on mutual respect, trust and loyalty.
Dr Uduaghan was a medical doctor by training who ventured into public service and politics. He served as Commissioner for Health in Delta State before becoming Secretary to the State Government and eventually Governor. He was a workaholic, a committed politician and a patriot of the highest order. He was cosmopolitan and detribalised, comfortable in diverse environments and relationships, without ever forgetting his roots and humble beginnings in Warri.
Over the years, many experiences strengthened my admiration for him. There are four particular incidents that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
The First Incident: An Extraordinary Demonstration of Trust
On 22 October 2004, during his birthday celebration in church, Dr Uduaghan experienced a medical emergency. In the midst of that distressing situation, he whispered to Dr Chris Oghenovo Oghenechouwen, then Member of the House of Representatives, who later became Commissioner and Chief of Protocol, instructing him not to allow anyone into the room except me and his younger brother, Chief Emma Uduaghan Junior.
That moment has remained deeply etched in my memory. In a situation of personal vulnerability, when a person naturally seeks the presence of those in whom he has absolute confidence, Dr Uduaghan chose to have me by his side alongside his younger brother.
For me, that was more than an ordinary gesture of friendship. It was a profound testimony to the mutual trust, respect and loyalty that defined our relationship. Such confidence cannot be demanded or purchased; it is earned over time through character, sincerity and the bonds of genuine friendship.
The Second Incident: His Recognition of My Contribution to Governance
On another occasion, Mr Chukwudebe Odigbo and Emma O. Ugheberlo authored a book titled The Substance of Governance: A Critical Insight into the Stewardship of the Office of Secretary to the Delta State Government, 1991–2006.
The book examined the institution of the Secretary to the State Government and its contribution to governance and public administration in Delta State.
The authors informed me that Dr Uduaghan had personally instructed them to ensure that I was invited to review the book. I considered that request a great honour, and I believe I did justice to the publication and the work of the authors.
What particularly touched me was that Dr Uduaghan remembered our shared professional experiences and considered my contribution valuable to a work that documented the history and practice of governance in his state.
His gesture reflected his appreciation for knowledge, institutional memory and the importance of preserving the experiences of public servants for future generations. It also demonstrated his respect for my professional work and our shared commitment to strengthening public institutions.
The Third Incident: A Testimony of Faith, Confidence and Loyalty
The third incident took place in Lagos in 2007, during an interactive session at which Dr Uduaghan presented his three-point development agenda to Delta State stakeholders resident in the city. The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss his vision for the state and secure the support of prominent Deltans and other stakeholders.
Among those present was His Excellency Sir Richard Gozney, the then British High Commissioner to Nigeria, who attended as the Special Guest of Honour.
Dr Uduaghan introduced me as the as a friend and described me as a foremost authority on Niger Delta affairs, education and development in Nigeria. His introduction was generous, flattering and deeply humbling. Coming from a man whose judgement I respected, it meant a great deal to me.
At the time, we were dealing with the politically sensitive Alamieyeseigha issue. Following my introduction, the British High Commissioner declined to shake my hand.
I remember that encounter vividly. What has remained with me, however, is not simply the refusal to shake my hand, but the confidence Dr Uduaghan demonstrated in me by introducing me so positively before an audience of prominent stakeholders and international representatives.
His words and public demonstration of confidence remain among the most profound expressions of friendship, faith and loyalty I have experienced. At a difficult political moment, he did not distance himself from me or withhold his recognition of my contributions. Instead, he acknowledged my work and standing before a distinguished audience.
That encounter strengthened my admiration for him. It revealed a man who valued friendship and was willing to stand by those he respected, even when circumstances were politically sensitive. I have never forgotten it, and I doubt that I ever will.
The Fourth Incident: When a Governor Became My Driver
The fourth incident occurred towards the end of Dr Uduaghan’s tenure as Governor in 2015.
My friend, Dr Azuka Dibie, had flown in from the United States and expressed a desire to meet Dr Uduaghan. He was from Delta State and believed he could contribute to the development of his home state. He asked whether I could introduce him to the Governor.
I called Dr Uduaghan, informed him that I was coming, and provided my flight details. I travelled to Asaba, expecting the usual arrangements associated with a visit to a sitting governor.
But what happened when I arrived at the airport was extraordinary.
To my surprise, Dr Uduaghan had driven himself to the airport to receive me. He had personally come as the driver to pick me and my friend, Dr Azuka Dibie.
I was deeply touched. Here was a sitting governor, a man occupying one of the highest political offices in his state, who had chosen to drive to the airport himself to receive a friend.
That memory cannot be erased from my heart. It speaks volumes about the greatness of his character. It demonstrated humility, affection, loyalty and an uncommon appreciation of friendship. He did not allow the trappings of office to diminish the value he placed on personal relationships.
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For all his achievements and responsibilities, Dr Uduaghan remained a man who understood that public office was temporary, but genuine friendship was something to be cherished.
A Legacy That Transcends His Years
These four incidents capture different dimensions of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s character: his trust in friendship, his respect for knowledge and institutional development, his confidence in people he believed in, and his humility in personal relationships.
Beyond my personal experiences, Dr Uduaghan served Delta State at different levels of public responsibility, from Commissioner for Health to Secretary to the State Government and Governor. His background in medicine brought a distinctive perspective to public service, while his years in government gave him considerable experience in administration and political leadership.
His commitment to public service and his efforts to promote peace, security, human capital development and infrastructure in Delta State will remain part of the record of his time in office. Every public leader’s legacy will be examined by history, but his contributions and the personal relationships he cultivated deserve to be remembered alongside the official record.
To me, the measure of a man is not solely the offices he occupies, the honours he receives or the power he exercises. It is also the way he treats people, the trust he inspires, the loyalty he demonstrates and the memories he leaves in the hearts of those who knew him.
By that measure, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan occupied a special place in my life.
A Message to His Family
To his beloved wife, children and the entire Uduaghan family, I extend my heartfelt condolences. I have already visited the family home to console them, particularly his first son, Toju, with whom I have shared my sympathies.
I urge them to take heart and accept the will of Almighty God. The pain of losing a husband, father, brother and loved one is profound, and no words can adequately fill the void his departure has created. Yet, they can draw comfort from the knowledge that his life touched many people and that his contributions will continue to be remembered.
Yes, Dr Uduaghan has departed at what many would consider an early age, but the impact he made during his lifetime was considerable. His public service, his friendships and the legacy of his leadership will continue to form part of the history of Delta State and Nigeria.
History, I believe, will reserve a golden place for him.
For me, his passing is deeply personal. I have lost a friend, a brother and a trusted companion with whom I shared important years of public service and memorable experiences. The memories of his kindness, confidence, humility and loyalty will remain with me for as long as I live.
May Almighty God accept his soul, grant him eternal rest and give his wife, children, family, friends, the government and people of Delta State, and all who mourn him the strength to bear this painful loss.
Adieu, my dear friend, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
You served your state and your country, cherished your friendships and left memories that will endure. You may be gone, but you will not be forgotten.
Professor Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, OON