Uduaghan, Orji Lament Ralph Uwechue's Death

EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN BEVERLY HILLS, March 14, (THEWILL) - Delta State Governor, Dr.

Emmanuel Uduaghan has lamented the death of former President General of Ohazaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, 79, who passed away on Thursday.

Governor Uduaghan in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.

Sunny Ogefere described the late Uwechue as a quintessential elder statesman that left his footprints in the sands of Africa and beyond.

According to the governor, the wealth of experience of the late statesman "would have been of immense benefit to Nigeria, this period in our national history when the national conference is about kicking off.

"It is on record that the late Chief Uwechue was Nigeria's first diplomatic envoy to France, where he opened the Nigerian Embassy in Paris, 1966 and also served in UNESCO in Paris as consultant on general history of Africa project between 1967 and 1970.

" He added that as Special Presidential Envoy on Conflict Resolution in Africa to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Uwechue played a key role in the resolution of the Sierra Leonean civil war and the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire.

"The unity, progress and development in Igbo land were testaments of the wealth of experience the late Chief Uwechue brought to bear as President-General of the Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo," Uduaghan said.

The Governor lamented: "In Uwechue, the international community, the Black Race, Nigeria, Delta State, Ndigbo, Anioma and Ogwashi-Uku Community have lost an irreplaceable rare gem.

" In particular, he noted that it was a sad period for Deltans as Delta State has lost two great citizens in one week, with the death of Chief Abel Ubeku, the first Nigerian managing director of Guinness Nigeria Limited, few days ago.

Uduaghan urged the immediate family of the late Statesman to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled and accomplished life on earth while praying God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

In the same vein, Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has expressed shock over the news of the death of Uwechue.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji who described Uwechue's death as unfortunate, said he died at a period when his wealth of Experience and services were needed especially at the proposed national conference.

Governor Orji, who is the Chairman of South-east Governors' Forum, said late Uwechue had left his footprints in the sands of time adding that he deserved a befitting burial.

'I received the news of his death with shock.
Unfortunately, death is what awaits everybody.
He had left footprints in the sands of time.
As a revered leader he will be given a befitting burial.

'I pray to God to give his immediate family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Though his exit was painful but you should be comforted that he served his fatherland to the best of his ability.

My heartfelt sympathy also goes to the government and people of Delta State.

They should see their son's death as an act of God.

I pray that his gentle soul rests in peace.
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