Uduaghan’s Legacy Will Outlive His Detractors, Izeze Declares On Late Governor’s 72nd Posthumous Birthday

By Henry Ubus

Comrade Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Esq., Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late uncle, mentor, teacher and father figure, former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, as he marked his 72nd posthumous birthday on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

In an emotional birthday message, Izeze described the late former governor as his uncle, mentor, teacher, father and “Oga@thetopmost,” recalling their personal relationship and the memorable expressions that characterised their interactions.

Opening his tribute with the familiar expression, “Uncle, agwo sir!!!”, Izeze recalled how the phrase became a subject of playful teasing by Doc. Chris, Abigor and Michael Akpobire following Uduaghan’s departure from office as governor.

With a mixture of nostalgia, humour and reflection, he observed the influx of people paying tributes to the deceased, while admitting that he was tempted to share his candid thoughts about the political developments surrounding the outpouring of condolences.

However, he said he found comfort in the belief that Uduaghan himself would have viewed the situation with a characteristic understanding of politics and advised him to allow people to express themselves, noting that the late governor had also engaged with different political actors during his lifetime.

Izeze also recalled Uduaghan’s dislike for wastefulness, declaring that the cake ordered for the birthday celebration would still be eaten rather than allowed to go to waste.

Expressing confidence that the former governor was resting peacefully, he reflected on what he described as a fairly successful journey through the corridors of power, judging from his personal understanding of people who had occupied positions of authority.

The tribute further highlighted the geographical spread of messages and calls received in honour of the late governor, with Izeze listing locations across Nigeria and other parts of the world, including Kano, Sokoto, Lagos, Owerri, Benin City, Jos, Nsukka, Bori, Ilorin, Minna, Dallas, London, Atlanta, Minnesota, Alberta, New York City, Saudi Arabia and Accra, among others.

For Izeze, the widespread expressions of remembrance reinforce his conviction that the former governor’s legacy would continue to live beyond his lifetime.

He concluded the tribute with a resolute declaration that no matter the efforts of his detractors, Uduaghan’s legacy would outlive both him and those he described as “netizens of Lilliput.”

The message, signed by Comrade Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Esq., at 5:50 a.m. on October 22, 2026, blended grief, personal affection, political reflection and humour in remembrance of a man he regarded as far more than a former governor.

As tributes continue to honour the late Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan on what would have been his 72nd birthday, Izeze’s message presents a deeply personal portrait of a mentor whose influence, in his view, remains enduring.