The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, have described the passage of the state former deputy governor, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama SAN, as a huge loss to the Nigeria.
Oborevwori, while mourning the demise of the former deputy governor, described Utuama as a world-class legal luminary and academician whom made tremendous contributions to the legal profession in the country.
The governor in a condolence statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, condoled with the Utuama family, Ughievwen Kingdom, Urhobo Nation and Deltans for the death of the former deputy governor.
Utuama passed on in the early hours of Saturday after a protracted illness. He was aged 77.
Governor Oborevwori commiserated with the family, Urhobo nation, the people of Ughelli South Local Government Area and Otu-Jeremi community in particular, over the demise of Professor Amos Agbe Utuama.
He noted that the departed Utuama was a renowned law teacher and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who excelled as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state from 1999 to 2007 and later as Deputy Governor of the state from 2007 to 2015.
According to the governor, the deceased was a world class academic scholar whose teachings and research undertakings had contributed immensely to the Nigerian legal profession and jurisprudence.
He said: “I received the devastating news of his death with great shock. He was a gentleman-politician, and scholar who distinguished himself in the service of his people, first, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state and later as Deputy Governor of the state.
“Throughout his service to the state and country, Prof. Utuama demonstrated commitment to the unity and development of the state.”
Also reacting, Senator Omo-Agege described the late Prof. Utuama as a legal luminary that distinguished himself in fighting for the rule of law to prevail in all affairs of state and levels of government.
The former Deputy President of the Senate, while reacting to the death of the legal luminary said Prof. Utuama was one of the persons that headlined the emergence of a stable federation at the onset of the Fourth Republic.
Omo-Agege in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Sir Sunny Areh, narrated how the former deputy governor pushed for the payment of 13 percent derivation by the federal government.
“Having come into Chief Ibori’s government as a accomplished law teacher, Prof. Utuama was very instrumental in using his stature to instill a level of stability and respect for states at a time the Fourth Republic was still wobbling as a Federation where different political parties held sway in different states.
Senator Omo-Agege said: “I recall the days where Chief Ibori initiated the legal battles that preceded the commencement of the payment of 13 percent derivation fund as enshrined in the Constitution. Prof. Utuama’s stature and expertise drove the legal process that gave victory to the Niger Delta states,” the former Deputy President of the Senate said in his tribute to the late Deputy Governor.
“Indeed, the Niger Delta, not just Delta State, has lost a great son. His legacy will never be forgotten and Nigeria was lucky to have had him in government at the time his calibre was desperately needed,” Omo-Agege stated.
