‎UDUAGHAN: A HUMBLE LEADER WHO TOUCHED LIVES, CHAMPIONED THE LESS PRIVILEGED AND EMBRACED PEACE — ‎OBUROH PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE BOSS

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‎Retired Permanent Secretary,Mr Benson E.Oburoh has said the  news of the passing of his former boss, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, (2007 -2015) is deeply saddening.
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‎Mr Oburoh in a statement said Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan's departure was a painful loss, not only to his immediate family and associates but also to the many people whose lives were touched by his leadership and policies during his years in public service.
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‎"Having had the privilege of serving under him, I remember him not merely as a former Governor who occupied the highest political office in our dear state, but as a man whose humility, compassion, and peaceful disposition distinguished his personality and informed his approach to leadership".
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‎"Dr Uduaghan demonstrated that the true essence of leadership lies not in the power one wields, but in the lives one touches and the difference one makes in the circumstances of others. Despite the exalted office he occupied, humility remained one of his defining attributes"
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‎Mr Oburoh said the former governor related with people in a manner that reflected an appreciation of their humanity, irrespective of their social status, and demonstrated that public office should be an instrument of service rather than a symbol of personal importance.
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‎"One of the most enduring aspects of his administration was the deliberate use of government policies and programmes to address the needs of the less privileged".
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‎"His administration recognised that the benefits of governance must extend beyond the privileged few to ordinary citizens, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to afford essential healthcare and education for their children".
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‎"Dr Uduaghan's Free Maternal Healthcare Programme, Free Under-Five Healthcare Programme, and Free Rural Healthcare Programme remained important examples of his administration's efforts to make healthcare more accessible to vulnerable members of society. These initiatives reflected a compassionate approach to governance, recognising that a mother's inability to afford medical care should not endanger her life or that of her child and that children should not be denied access to healthcare because of their parents' financial circumstances".
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‎"Similarly, his administration's consistent payment of WAEC and NECO examination enrolment fees for final-year students in public secondary schools across Delta State demonstrated a practical commitment to educational access and the future of young people. By relieving parents and guardians of this financial burden, the government helped create opportunities for students from less privileged backgrounds to sit for these important examinations and pursue their educational aspirations".
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‎Mr Oburoh noted that these programmes were more than government initiatives; they represented an understanding that the welfare of the people must remain central to the purpose of governance. They also demonstrated that a government can make a meaningful difference in people's lives when public policies are directed towards addressing genuine social needs.
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‎"Beyond his policies and programmes, however, I will remember Dr Uduaghan as a man of peace. He possessed a calm and accommodating disposition and appreciated the importance of peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and mutual understanding. He understood that leadership requires not only the capacity to make decisions but also the temperament to manage differences and sustain harmonious relationships".
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‎"In a political environment often characterised by intense rivalry and disagreements, his peaceful disposition was a quality worthy of appreciation. It reinforced the important lesson that strength in leadership does not necessarily lie in confrontation, but can be demonstrated through restraint, patience, and the willingness to pursue peaceful solutions".... Oburoh added.
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‎"According to him...". For those of us who had the privilege of working under him, his passing provides an opportunity to reflect on the values he represented and the lessons his leadership offers. Public office is transient, but the impact of policies that improve lives, the kindness shown to others, and the character of a leader can endure beyond the period of his administration".
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‎'As I pay tribute to my late boss, I do so with gratitude for the privilege of having served under him and with deep appreciation for the qualities that made him a distinctive figure in the public life of Delta State. His commitment to the welfare of the less privileged, his investment in the health and educational prospects of our people, his humility, and his peaceful disposition constitute important parts of the legacy by which I shall remember him".
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‎"Though death has taken him away from us, the good that a person does, does not die with him. The memories of his leadership and the lives touched by the programmes implemented under his administration will remain part of the story of his years in public service".
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‎Rest in peace, my dear boss. You served Delta State in a position of great responsibility, and I shall remember you for your humility, your concern for the less privileged, and your disposition towards peace.
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‎"May the Almighty God grant you eternal rest and comfort your lovely wife,children, family and friends. Goodnight my boss".
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