Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed sadness on the passing of renowned politician and former Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief Ochuko Unuagba.
Unuagba died at 69, on Wednesday after a brief illness.
He hails from Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area, and was chairman of the local government area from 1998 to 2001, Chairman, Ethiope East Transition Committee from 2002 to 2003, and was re-elected for a second term from 2003 to 2006.
He was appointed Chairman of the Delta State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in 2015.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Eku, Ethiope East and Urhobo nation over the demise of the astute politician and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.
He noted that the departed Unuagba was a grassroots politician and businessman, who excelled as local government council chairman and served under him as Chairman of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in his first term.
The governor described the deceased as a “political tactician’’ whose love for his people led him to contest and won election as chairman of his local government area under the PDP, on two occasions.
He said, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and grassroots politician, who passed on after a brief illness.
“The news of his death came to me as a big surprise because he wasn’t reported to be ill.
“He was a good politician and man of the people who distinguished himself in the service of his people, first, as Council Chairman on three occasions and later, as Chairman of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
“In the formative years of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his people of Ethiope East and the party found him worthy to become chairmanship candidate, which he won convincingly and served diligently from 1998 to 2001.
“He was re-elected in 2003 after a stint as Chairman, Transition Committee of the local government, between 2002 and 2003.”
Okowa prayed God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss.
PRESS UNIT
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
