By Barry Agbanigbi, Contributing Editor
The crowd was unprecedented; very few, if any burial rites had witnessed such a massive turnout of people in Delta state since its creation 24years ago.
The mix was unbelievable, as unprecedented as the crowd number. It included the former governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in the just concluded governorship election Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, National House of Assembly Members, politicians of note, State House of Assembly members, Former Commissioners, Local Government Council ex-executives, Royal Fathers, top government functionaries and clergy men, they ‘all jostled for better viewing positions with the lowly and the down trodden.
They rubbed shudders with the masses to pay their last respect to Mr. Samuel Uruntajinere Uduaghan, an achiever endowed with enterprises intelligence, philanthropy and numerous other virtues.
The refrain on many lips was that “Papa Samuel Uduaghan was our father’’. Eulogies poured forth from different persons including those whose life style and philosophies were different from his in more ways than one.
It was a carnival like atmosphere just as scores of dances troops and other entertainment groups were available to add glamour to the occasion.
Itinerant drummers and praise singers sang and danced to the admiration of all presents. Political associate and supporters of Emmanuel Oritisejolomi Uduaghan attended the epoch making event. Yet there was orderliness as security personnel were at strategic points. Hawkers made brisk sales of bottle and sachet water, drinks and assortment of beverages. Not even the scorching sun could deter the crowd. They kept trouping in their numbers. It was an event of sorts.
Still in the end after all the fanfare, the dawn of reality came, tears flowed like endless rivers from not a few faces; sorrow seized and broke several hearts when the great man was finally lowered into the grave at Uduaghan country home located on comfort Ibori way near Naval Logistics Command Headquarters, Oghara, Delta state.
Samuel Uruntajinere Uduaghan was born at Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on the 14 November 1942.
He hailed from Abigborodo in Warri North local government. Pa. Samuel started his primary education at the first Baptist primary school, Ogharafe in 1954. After his primary education he proceeded to the Baptist high school, Oreokpe in 1961.