Okowa ‘Meets’ Uduaghan Again, Eulogize Him For His Sport Legacy In Delta

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and the incumbent Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa were together publicly at the weekend for the second time after Uduaghan’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okowa’s however used the meeting to eulogize his predecessor for his love for sport and development of sport in the country.

BigPen Online reports that this is coming on the backdrop of Uduaghan’s recent induction as one of the patrons of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, (NOC) in Lagos.

The occasion was the church thanksgiving service held in honour of Mr. Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and First Vice President of CAF at the First Baptist Church in Warri.

This medium reports that many party faithful of both APC and PDP at the event were delighted when Uduaghan and Okowa exchange pleasantries and had a firm handshake.

The two leaders later sat together in same front row seat at the church service where both Okowa and Pinnick took turn to paid glowing tribute to Uduaghan for his development of sport in Delta State as well as his Human Capital Development.

Pinnick Amaju (second left) Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Middle), his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Okowa’s Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuato during the church thanksgiving at the First Baptist Church in Warri on Sunday

In separate speeches, Governor Okowa and Amaju Pinnick eulogized Dr. Uduaghan’s towering contributions to the development of sport in Delta State.

Specifically, Okowa, harped on the impact of Uduaghan’s Human Capital Development agenda which has seen some illustrious Deltans like Amaju Pinnick, Blessing Okagbare and others rise to international recognition.

“I must thank our immediate past Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for keeping faith in the capacity of Mr. Pinnick and others to make our state proud. Like my predecessor (Dr. Uduaghan), I believe strongly that there is a lot in Amaju’s future. God will not forgive you if you dim a shinning star. After His Excellency’s tenure, I had no choice but to continue from where he left off supporting Amaju. The entire state is proud of our brother,” an elated Okowa added.

While appreciating God for His benevolence towards him and his family, Amaju Pinnick who is the first Nigerian to be re-elected as President of the NFF, described Dr. Uduaghan as a proud brother-in-Law and father to him.

“I will not fail to appreciate my super in-law and father who had been unflinching in his support for me and my family. He has been a father to me right from when I was fourteen years old. I recall those days when my sister (Mrs Roli Uduaghan) used to scold me, he would always come to my rescue.

“He is more than a father. All through the NFF saga, he was always there to support me. I would not have been where I am today without him. God will keep him for me and all of us who he has supported to the international scene,” Amaju Pinnick who recently organized “the Warri Again” show added.

Uduaghan’s media aide, Monoyo Edon, who confirmed the development said more glowing tributes have continued to pour in for His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, immediate past Governor of Delta State and APC 2019 Delta South Senatorial candidate for his contributions to the growth of sports in Delta State and Nigeria.