Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed sadness over the death of a former Deputy Governor of the State, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama.
Governor Oborevwori described Utuama as a great patriot and an astute academic of worldwide repute, and his death as devastating.
In a terse statement after TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reported the passage of the legal luminary, Oborevwori stated that the State has lost one of its strong political figures.
The statement reads: “I have just received the devastating news of the death of Delta State’s former Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama.
“Undoubtedly, Delta State has lost one of its strong political figures: a great patriot and an astute academic of worldwide repute.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the good people of Delta State at this critical time. May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Meanwhile, Oborevwori’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon in Asaba, has disclosed that the Governor has sent his condolences to the family of Professor Utuama.
Sir Ahon disclosed that 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 the former Deputy Governor.
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: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman, a scholar and astute politician, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN who passed on in Warri on Saturday.
“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.”
The Governor prayed God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss.
TNG reports Utuama, who served as Deputy Governor of Delta to former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan from 2007 to 2015, died at the age of 77 in Warri in the early hours of Saturday after a protracted illness.