Former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Dies at 71

Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has died at the age of 71.

Uduaghan died on Monday, according to a statement issued by his family and signed by his son, Toju Anire Uduaghan.

In the statement, the family expressed grief over the loss of the former governor, describing him as a father figure, a respected elder, and a man whose public service touched lives across Delta State and Nigeria.

Uduaghan, a medical doctor, served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 before becoming Secretary to the State Government between 2003 and 2007.

He became governor in 2007, succeeding James Ibori, and served two terms until 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party.

During his eight years in office, his administration pursued human and infrastructural development across the state, with a focus on healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.

The former governor remained active in politics after leaving office and continued to be a prominent figure in Delta State's political affairs.

His death comes months after reports of his passing circulated on social media in June.

Those reports were dismissed at the time by the Delta State Government.

Uduaghan was born on October 22, 1954, and would have turned 72 three days after his death.

The family expressed gratitude for his life and years of service, while praying for comfort for relatives, friends, associates and others mourning his passing.