Former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Dies at 71

Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan died on the morning of October 19, 2026, aged 71, his family announced. The family said he died after a brief illness, describing his death as a loss to his relatives and the wider community. Uduaghan served as governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Before that, he was the state’s commissioner for health from 1999 to 2003 and secretary to the state government from 2003 to 2007, according to the family statement. The family said Uduaghan’s public service focused on human and infrastructure development in the state. It described him as a respected elder and a source of strength, and said his life and work had touched people in Delta State and elsewhere in Nigeria. The family also expressed gratitude for his life and service and prayed for comfort for those mourning him. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also mourned Uduaghan in a message posted on X. Oborevwori recalled their personal relationship and praised the former governor’s humility and willingness to share his experience with younger people. He said Uduaghan’s years in government remained an important part of the state’s history and cited Asaba International...