The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock and sadness over the recent demise of four prominent Deltans.
They include a former Federal Commissioner for Works, Major-General Orho Obada; ex-Commissioner representing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Tom Amioku; Commissioner representing Sapele, Ethiope West, and Okpe local government areas on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon. Joyce Overah as well as Pastor (Mrs.) Victoria Avwomakpa, wife of the Founder and General Overseer of Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church, Warri, Delta State, Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa.
In a condolence message personally signed by him, he described Major-General Obada as a mentor, father, confidant and adviser.
Obada reportedly died on Sunday morning at a private hospital in Warri after a brief illness at the age of 81. Until his demise, he was the Chairman, Board of Trustee of the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of the Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).
According to Omo-Agege, Major-General Obada played a significant role in reshaping the development of the Urhobo Nation.
This, he noted, made the foremost Urhobo elder statesman a rallying point for the Urhobo Nation.
“This is a personal loss to me. The late General was not only a father figure, mentor and counselor to me. He was also a staunch supporter of my political ambition. He played a prominent role in my election as a Senator in 2015 and reelection in 2019.
“Before his death earlier today, he was the leader and head of the efforts by the Urhobo Nation to organise a grand reception in my honour but for the COVID-19 pandemic that put it on hold.
“He craved for the unity of the Urhobo Nation and wanted all Urhobos to speak with one voice. I’m personally going to miss him and I pray that the Almighty God grants him eternal rest”, Omo-Agege stated.
In a separate condolence message, he described Chief Amioku as a brother and friend.
Recalling when they both served at the Delta State Executive Council, Senator Omo-Agege noted that, “Chief Amioku was a thoroughly fine gentleman, friend and brother. Always seeking out for the good of others, he was a peaceful politician, committed to excellence in public governance”.
In a related development, he extolled the leadership qualities of Hon. Overah in the various capacities he served the state and the country from Education Secretary, member of the House of Representatives, Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner representing Sapele, Ethiope West and Okpe local government areas on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Also, he recalled Pastor (Mrs.) Victoria Avwomakpa’s strong support to her husband’s ministry and the home front in the last 48 years.
While extending his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the lawmaker enjoined Deltans to remember them in their prayers at these trying moments.