By Ovie Okpare
Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo, father of Deacon Roli Uduaghan and immediate past First Lady of Delta State, has passed on.
Brig.-General Tuoyo, a former Military Administrator of old Ondo State, died last Saturday (December 17, 2022) in Lagos State.
He was aged 84.
The late military officer, who reigned as military administrator of old Ondo between July 1978 – October 1979, was the father in-law to immediate past governor of Delta, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
According to a statement by Uduaghan’s media assistant, Mr. Monoyo Edon, announcing the death, described the late Brig.-General Tuoyo as a patriotic Nigerian who contributed immensely to the Nigerian democratic process.
The statement read, “His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, the Immediate Past Governor of Delta State, over the weekend, lost his father-in-law, late Retired Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo, Military Administrator of old Ondo State who slept in the Lord on Saturday December 17, 2022 in Lagos State.
“Late Brig.-Gen. Tuoyo was a retired Nigerian Brigadier General who served as the Military Governor of Ondo State (July 1978 – October 1979) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Brig. Gen Tuoyo will be remembered as the father of Her Excellency, Dcns Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, beloved wife of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, the Immediate Past Governor of Delta State and for his patriotism as well as immense contributions in the democratic process that led to the handing over of the reins of power to Pa Adekunle Ajasin (ascended), the first democratically elected Governor of Ondo State.”
Former Governor Uduaghan, while commiserating with the Tuoyo’s family, prayed God to grant the children of the deceased military officer to the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“Our prayers are with both families as we ask God to grant them strength to go through this difficult period.
“May Papa’s soul find repose in the bosom of our Lord…Amen!”, Uduaghan added.
