UDUAGHAN PRAISES IBORI FOR STRONG LEADERSHIP; BIG MILESTONES, COMMITMENT TO THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY

• SAYS EX-GOVERNOR A POLITICIAN TO BE RECKONED WITH

The Alema of Warri, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, on Monday, lavished praise on the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, describing him as an approachable icon, cerebral leader and a personification of humility.

‘’August 4, 2026, marks another glorious dawn in the life of a consummate politician, extraordinary philanthropist, business magnate and the Don of Resource Control, His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori’.

He also extolled the virtues of the sensible, thoughtful and leading figure in Nigerian government and politics.

‘’At 68, you absolutely do deserve to be celebrated—not just for big milestones, but for your commitment to the good of the country’’.

In a statement issued on behalf of his family and the good people of Abigborodo on the occasion of his 68^th birthday, Uduaghan applauded Ibori for championing the cause of the Niger Delta people in their demand for true fiscal federalism.

‘‘As a proponent of true federalism, you did not disappoint the people of the Niger Delta on the issue of resource ownership and control. You championed the cause of the people in their demand for true fiscal federalism, injected blood into the South-South people, fired their nationalism and secured respect for them in the national scheme of things’’.

According to the Warri high chief and man of deep religious values, Ibori developed human resources through collaborative efforts with governments and global institutions, reduced youth restiveness, pulled the riverine people out of abject poverty and ushered them into a stupendous prosperity.

‘’As a modern-day icon, you developed human resources through collaborative efforts with both governments and global institutions, reduced youth restiveness, pulled the riverine people out of abject poverty and ushered them into a stupendous prosperity. As a firm and steadfast friend of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian nation, you shored up the economic base of Delta State through bilateral cooperation with friendly states. You have been spreading the message of tolerance, accommodation and integration’’.

Uduaghan who is also the chief executive officer of Webster Group praised Ibori for playing key roles in the development of people and institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

‘’As a member of the family, you illuminated our lives, enlarged our spaces and encouraged us to dream great dreams of a brighter future.

Specifically, Uduaghan commended Ibori for bringing succor and a sense of belonging to the good people of Delta State, improving the standard of governance and paving the way for the education of many Deltans abroad through scholarship.

‘’As a modernizer, you embarked on well thought-out projects covering every single community in the state. You built roads, bridges, houses, schools and hospitals. In the economic realm, you promoted a strategy of rapid industrialization, grew the state’s economy and created wealth. As a change agent, you improved the content of politics and the quality of the politicians in the state. You used power with restraint and in accordance with the rule of law and traditional practices’’

The statement highlighted Ibori’s pragmatic side, idealistic view, accessibility, wit, intellect and clarity of purpose.

‘’You distinguished yourself by introducing free qualitative education, restoring bursary award to all students of Delta State origin in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and tackling the issue of abandoned projects, particularly by contracting firms which absconded after collecting mobilization fees’’.

Looking back to Ibori’s days in Government House, Asaba, Uduaghan said the former governor increased model secondary schools, rehabilitated all secondary and primary school buildings in the state, rehabilitated hospitals and healthcare centres, provided laboratory and medical equipment to all government hospitals, constructed cottage hospitals in the deep rural areas, invested heavily in sporting facilities and encouraged sportsmen and women morally and financially.

‘’Your administration carefully identified with the needs of the good people of Delta State, doggedly contrived viable remedies to them,  returned peace to Warri, opened up the rural areas of the state through a network of roads, promoted hospitality, employed youths, developed agriculture, provided potable water and electricity, set up the Direct Labour Agency to undertake small road projects in the state, reinvigorated the Rural Development Agency, made civil service productive and attractive’’.

The business mogul listed higher institutions, dualization of major roads in the three senatorial districts, House of Assembly Complex, NTA Stations in Asaba and Sapele, Ughoton-Omadino, Igbuku (Ase River), Bomadi and Olomu bridges as major projects of a purposeful and committed leadership.

‘’We join millions of our country’s men and women as well as your admirers the world over to acknowledge your creative and purposeful leadership as well as your achievements in the fields of roads, hospitals, water and electricity supply, housing, education, industry and tourism. Likewise, we commend your stupendous contribution to national politics and your commitment to enduring relationship based on love, peaceful co-existence and devotion to the ideals of justice, tolerance and fair play’’.

He further expressed gratitude to the former governor for his wise counsel, guidance and rare commitment shown towards the progress of the family and the good people of Abigborodo.

Ending the statement, Uduaghan said ‘’We wish you good health, long life and God’s guidance as you continue to contribute to the development of our great country., Congratulations on the occasion of your 68th birthday’’.