Tag: Amos Utuama

  • Urhobo has lost a legal icon, Dafinone mours Prof Amos Utuama

    Urhobo has lost a legal icon, Dafinone mours Prof Amos Utuama

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has commiserated with Urhobo Nation, Utuama family and the people of Ughelli South over the death of Prof Amos Utuama (SAN), a former Deputy Governor, who reportedly passed on today at 77.

    Born on June 5, 1947, Utuama was a law teacher for many years, later serving as Deputy Governor from 2007 to 2015 under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. He was also the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during Chief James Ibori’s administration.

    The Delta Central lawmaker in a statement said: “It is with a deep sense of loss and sorrow that I, Senator Ede Dafinone, on behalf of Delta Central Senatorial District, extend my condolences to the Urhobo Nation, the Utuama family, and the people of Ughelli South over the passing of Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), former Deputy Governor of Delta State.

    “Prof. Utuama was an outstanding legal luminary and a cherished son of Urhobo land, leaving an indelible mark on our nation’s legal profession and public service. He was a revered law scholar, dedicated teacher, and a pillar in Delta State’s governance.

    “The Urhobo Nation and the legal community at large have lost an invaluable intellect. Prof. Utuama’s intellectual prowess, sound judgment, and unyielding dedication to the ideals of justice and equality made him an irreplaceable figure. His contributions to the legal profession were not only profound but also transformative, influencing the lives of many who had the privilege of learning from him. His absence will be deeply felt across Delta State and the entire nation.

    Read Also: Dafinone hails Chief T. J. Okpoko at 92

    “While we mourn this great loss, we also take solace in the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of dedication, integrity, and service. Prof. Utuama’s contributions to the Urhobo Nation and Delta State will continue to inspire future generations. His life was one of purpose, and his memory will serve as a beacon of hope and dedication for all who strive for excellence and justice.

    “As we bid farewell to a true son of Urhobo land, I offer my deepest sympathies to the Utuama family. May God grant them the strength to bear this immense loss and may the soul of Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) rest in perfect peace. His legacy will endure, and he will be remembered with profound respect and admiration.”

  • No zoning in Delta PDP, says Utuama

    No zoning in Delta PDP, says Utuama

    Delta State Deputy Governor Amos Utuama has said there is no zoning arrangement in the state chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Prof Utuama spoke yesterday in his Otu-Jeremi home in Ughelli South Local Government Area on the development in the PPD.

    The deputy governor said he had accepted to join the race to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    Utuama said he accepted the PDP governorship expression of intent and nomination forms bought for him by a group, People’s Network for Utuama (PNU).

    He said Uduaghan had not endorsed any aspirant for the governorship race.

    Utuama said: “He has not endorsed anybody. The governor has not said, ‘This is the preferred aspirant.’ He has not said so. My message to Deltans is that they should vote for competence, for capacity, for character, for credibility and for experience. I have all that.”

    On the alleged zoning in Delta PDP, he said: “There’s no zoning. I don’t know of any zoning. There’s no zoning that I know of.”

  • Council chief sworn in

    Council chief sworn in

    The Delta State Government yesterday appointed a caretaker committee chairman for Burutu Local Government Area.

    This followed last week’s sack of former caretaker chairman, Capt Deinne Buckman (rtd), for alleged incompetence and financial misappropriation.

    Administering the oath of office on Julius Takeme, Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama, who represented Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged him to eschew corruption.

    The deputy governor, who was accompanied by Secretary to the State Government, Ovuzuiri Macaulay, advised Takeme to maintain peace and security in his domain.

    The caretaker chairman promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him.

    He said his appointment was a call to service.

  • Utuama extols UNILAG ex-VC’s contributions to Land Law

    Delta State Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) has extolled the contributions of the late Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Jelili Adebisi Omotola.

    He described the late Omotola’s commitment and interest in the research and teaching of Property Law as exceptional as “unparalleled.”

    Utuama spoke at the presentation of a book, ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria, by the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, at the Justice Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu.

    Utuama, who chaired the occasion, noted that Justice Umezulike and himself benefited from Prof. Omotola’s knowledge in the subject during his days at the University of Lagos.

    The deputy governor noted that the late Prof. Omotola was unequalled as a doctrinal researcher and teacher.

    “Prof. Omotola’s seminal writing on the Land Use Act remain of great assistance to the legal profession. His works remain most authoritative, cited and relied upon by the best in the profession.”

    He praised Justice Umezulike for dedicating his work to Prof. Omotola and for finding time to write, considering his judicial and administrative duties.

    Among dignitaries at the event were Governor Sullivan Chime, represented by Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Anthony Ani; chief judge of Benue, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi states; Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani and President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chief Okey Wali.

     

  • Gbagi a pathological liar, says Utuama

    Gbagi a pathological liar, says Utuama

    Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, has described former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, as a pathological liar.

    Spokesman for the deputy governor, Mr. Augustine Avwode, said yesterday in a statement: “It is becoming clear that Gbagi has a hidden agenda, not only against the person and Office of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, but also against the Urhobo nation and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    “There is hardly any other way to interpret his unprovoked and relentless attack on the person of the deputy governor as far as 2015 is concerned, than to see it in the light of an execution of a grand design to orchestrate division within the Urhobo nation and create disaffection in the party.

    “Gbagi is a pathological liar driven by hallucination and illusion. At no time did Prof. Utuama tell Gbagi that he is from Udu; at no time did he tell Gbagi that he is from Bayelsa; at no time did he discuss his age with Gbagi and at no time did he discuss his future after now with Gbagi.

     

  • Uduaghan to journalists: promote national cohesion

    Uduaghan to journalists: promote national cohesion

    Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged journalists to promote national cohesion and stability.

    He spoke yesterday in Asaba at the opening of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council Press Week.

    Represented by Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama, the governor advised journalists to be wary of doing anything that could destabilise the country.

    “I implore every journalist to consider national cohesion, stability and well-being in deciding what to write or air to the public. Let us not, by words or actions, do anything that will destabilise our country by guarding against the antics of rumour mongers, fifth columnists, publicity-seeking individuals and others, who do not wish the nation well,” he said.

    According to Uduaghan, the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act should be judiciously used.

    He said: “It has to be used for the edification of our society and the sustainable development of our country. The era of publishing to be damned is over. It served its purpose during the fight for freedom under colonial rule. Now, both sides have to serve the interest of the public.”

    The governor hailed the journalists working in the state, saying they had helped to “give vent to our policies, programmes and activities.

    ‘’I appreciate your understanding, patience and, sometimes, bashing. The mixed grill is what it is supposed to be.”

    The Chairman, NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, hailed Governor Uduaghan for being media-friendly.

  • Group advises members to be selfless

    A political pressure group, Peoples Democratic Party Youth Circuit (PDPYC), Delta State chapter, has advised members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to scuttle the prevailing unity in Delta Central chapter of the party by pursuing selfish interests.

    The group gave the advice while congratulating the candidate representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, on his victory at the just-concluded bye-election.

    In a statement by the state Chairman, Comrade Andaye Rawlings Dagidi and state Publicity Secretary of the group, Hon. Roland Oyibo, the group praised Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, chairman of the party in the state, Mr Peter Nwanboshi, party leaders and party faithful for their efforts towards the party’s success at the polls.

    In a related development the Ovu Ward 5 of PDP described the party as a gateway for development in Urhobo nation in particular and the state in general.

    The leadership of the Ovu PDP ward 5 made the remark while commending the ward leader, Chief Vincent Omovie and the Ethiope East PDP party leader, Chief Bernard Edewor for their efforts in ensuring that the local government is delivered to PDP during the just-concluded Delta Central bye-election.

    The ward chairman, Mr. Johngold Ighoyivwi commended the exemplary leadership of Chief Bernard Edewor and Chief Vincent Omovie, noting that the success recorded during the Delta Central bye-election was as a result of the tireless efforts of the leaders to ensure that PDP regained its mandate in Delta Central.

  • Six injured in deputy governor’s convoy crash

    There was disquiet among the drivers attached to the convoy of the Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), yesterday, following the convoy’s involvement in an accident at the weekend.

    The convoy, which was returning from a thanksgiving service at Mosogar, Ethiope West, in honour of the mother of the Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, was involved in a crash at Agbor, Ika South Local Government.

    The Nation learnt that six persons were injured and are on admission in a private hospital in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    A driver, simply identified as Paulinus, sustained a head injury and is in a coma.

    It was learnt that a surgery would be carried out on him.

    Some of the drivers, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, expressed outrage, adding that besides the poorly- maintained vehicles in the fleet of the deputy governor, they (the drivers) are compelled to drive at a high speed.