Dyeltans Mourn Senator Ewherido His Death, A Loss To Delta -Uduaghan By PATRICK NWANZE/DENNIS OTU/SUNNY EGEDE/ HARRISON AKAMULE Sadness and disappointment were the main features yesterday as Deltans, irrespective of ethnic and political affiliation, mourned the departed Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly and former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Senator Pius Ewherido. Senator Ewherido died at the National Hospital, Abuja on Sunday after a brief illness. The mourners were led by the state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, representing Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal constituency, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Victor Ochei, Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, Hon. Gloria Okolugbo, the governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in 2011 elections, Chief Great Ogboru and Hon. Evelyn Oboro representing Okpe/ Sapele/ Uvwie Constituency, among others. Governor Uduaghan who led prominent Deltans on condolence visit to the family of the late politician, described Ewherido’s death as a great shock and loss to Delta State and Nigeria, especially now that brilliant and intelligent legislators like him are needed in the political journey of the state. The governor said late Senator Ewherido contributions to the development of Delta State were great as he had left a legacy worthy of emulation.He prayed that God should grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss To Senator James Manager and Hon. Gloria Okolugbo, Delta State has lost one of its great sons. Others at the late senator’s house were Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Leo Ogor, Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Representatives , Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal as well as the father and mother – in - law of the late senator. In a statement issued in Asaba, Hon Ndudi Elumelu described late Senator Ewherido as a highly distinguished senator who contributed immensely to the development of Delta State through the sponsorship of people- oriented bills that had impacted positively on the lives of Deltans and Nigerians in general. The statement added that as a lawmaker at the Delta State House of Assembly, the late Senator added color and robustness to debates that endeared him to the heart of many people and also paved way for even and meaningful development across the state. The statement further described late Senator Ewherido as a complete gentleman, a vibrant politician and a team player, who will not only be missed by his family and Deltans but also his colleagues at the National Assembly and prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei expressed shock over the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, who he described as an exemplary patriot and a consummate political leader. Ochei in a statement made available to The POINTER said he received the news of the death of his colleague and an erstwhile acting speaker of DTHA with great shock. “My sense of loss regarding this illustrious son of Delta State stems from the fact that he departed when his repertoire of knowledge would have enhanced our fledging democracy coupled with my vintage knowledge of him as a contemporary in the Third Assembly of the Delta State Legislature where his persuasive and logical skills during debates on the floor of the House distinguished him as a worthy ambassador to the advancement of legislative excellence”, he added. In a related development, the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq. has, on behalf of the government and people of Delta State, condoled with Deltans, especially the people of Delta Central Senatorial District, over the death of Ewherido. Ogeah who described late Senator Ewherido as a man of calm mien, noted that he (Ewherido) distinguished himself as a lawmaker in Delta State, “a record that won the admiration of his constituents who proceeded to elect him into the National Assembly”. “Even at the federal level, his youthful vigour and passion for the upliftment of the Niger-Delta Region defined his contributions to the National Assembly”, he noted while praying God to grant the late distinguished Senator eternal rest and his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the loss. Hon. Evelyn Omavowan Oboro representing Okpe/ Sapele/ Uvwie Constituency at the House of Representatives also expressed shock over the sudden death of Senator Ewherido. Her words, “I describe him as “The Politician Senator” that Urhobo has ever produced. He was an experienced lawmaker who sponsored and supported people- oriented bills and motions. I pray God Almighty to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss.” Chief Bobson Gbinije, National Co-ordinator, Mandate Against Poverty (MAP), Warri reacted this way; What a horrific blow to the Urhobo nation, Delta State, Pantheon of Democracy, 2015 and the Nigerian nation. , Human Rights activist, Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi said; “I am deeply saddened over the sudden demise of late Senator Ehwerido. The governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Chief Great Ogboru has expressed shock over the death of Senator Pius Ewherido. Chief Ogboru told our correspondent on phone “I received the sad news of the death of Senator Ewherido as a rude shock. It is a painful death. This is a very sad and painful loss. The death of Senator Ewherido is a big blow to the Urhobo nation; the DPP family, Delta State and the country in general.” His younger brother, Johnson Ewherido on phone told our correspondent in Warri that the news of his death came to the family as a rude shock. Former acting chairman of Ughelli south, Hon Josephine Oduran said,’’ The Urhobo nation has lost a true son. Former Delta State Education Commissioner, Dr Veronica Ogbuagu who spoke to our correspondent on phone wept and said that; his death is very painful, I cannot describe how I am feeling right now. This is very sad; he was a good man and dedicated Catholic, he was a good representative of the Urhobo nation at the National assembly, but now he is gone, too painful.’’ The National Chairman of DPP, Sir Olisaemeka Akamukali KSJ, in a statement in Abuja stated “With grief and deep feelings of emptiness, we make this statement on the demise of our one and only distinguished Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido(KSM). “Senator Ewherido was the only Senator elected on the platform of our great party, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP). He was forthright and passionate in his service to Delta State Central Senatorial District, Urhobo nation and Nigeria”. “We pray the Almighty God for the repose of his soul”! In Delta State, as the political class mourn the demise of Pius Ewherido, the Delta state chapter of the Democratic Peoples’ party, (DPP) has declared three days of mourning as part of honour to the senator who died following cardiac related complications at the National Hospital, Abuja. Rising from an emergency meeting in Asaba attended by the 25 local government executive members and lawmakers elected on the platform of the part the party in the state, the party executive said the three days mourning would commence on today and end on July 4, 2013. A statement signed by the state Chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagwuna enjoined the entire DPP state and local government executive to participate in the activities that would lead to a condolence visit to the Ewherido family in his home town, Ewu in Ughelli South
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:06:45 +0000
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