By Ovie Okpare
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the passing on of the first deputy governor of the state, Evangelist Simeon Ozioma Ebonka, as painful and saddening.
Uduaghan, who described the deceased as an elder statesman, noted that the pioneer deputy governor as one of those who helped to entrench democracy in the state.
Ebonka, a deputy to first civilian governor of Delta, Senator Felix Ibru, died on Wednesday at the age of 77.
The former governor in a statement signed by his media assistant, Monoyo Edon, commiserated with the family of the deceased.
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Uduaghan said, “Ebonka as an unassuming and kindly man who laboured with other political greats to entrench democracy in Delta State in his stint in office.
“I received the news of the demise of our elder statesman with sadness because his death came at a time the state needed his experience towards deepening democracy in our dear state. My condolences to the family, the government and people of Delta State.”
He prayed for the repose of the late septuagenarian’s soul and ask God to grant his family and the state strength to go through this difficult time.
