By Ovie Okpare
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has paid glowing tribute to Sir Tony Obuh who served as commissioner and permanent secretary during his administration as governor of the state.
Udugahan, who described the death of Obuh as shocking and painful, said the deceased had been battling an unknown protracted illness which reportedly claimed his life on Thursday morning at the at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
The former governor in a statement issued by his media assistant, Mr. Monoyo Edon, described the deceased as an experienced civil servant who distinguished himself both in service and public service as a commissioner.
He stated Obuh, who was the currently the chairman of the State Pension Bureau, served him diligently and faithfully, first as Director in the office of Secretary to the State Government and Permanent Secretary, Government House, Asaba.
Obuh, 62, died on Thursday was born 27th January, 1957.
An extremely downcast and grieving Dr. Uduaghan described Obuh as “an experienced retired civil servant, who started working with me first as Director, then Permanent Secretary in SSG’s office, and then my Permanent Secretary in the Government House.
“He became Permanent Secretary Government House and Protocol, when I was Governor, from where he resigned to contest the Governorship seat of Delta State.
“After the unsuccessful attempt, he was appointed a Commissioner for Special Duties until the end of my administration.”
According to Uduaghan, the deceased had been battling an undisclosed illness in the last few years, adding that the Late Obuh sought medical solutions both in Nigeria and overseas before his death on Thursday in Enugu.
“In the past few years, he has dealt with a protracted illness for which he had sought medical solutions both in Nigeria and overseas. He finally succumbed to the illness in the early hours of this morning.
“He was a highly effective and efficient technocrat, hardworking, dedicated, and very humble”, he posited.
Dr. Uduaghan who prayed for the repose of the gentle soul of the deceased also sent his heartfelt condolences to the family and associates of the departed Tony Obuh.
