The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, has urged Nigerians to be patriotic and committed to the service of the nation.

Igbuya made the call on Friday at the funeral of late Hon. Omawumi Udoh in Warri.

He described the former Chief Whip of the Delta State House of Assembly as a dogged fighter, grassroots woman and a courageous leader.

“Hon Omawumi Udoh was a reliable colleague, who demonstrated a life of service, love, compassion, excellence and commitment to her family, community and the state.

Her life leaves us a lot to learn from. We should be patriotic as possible to leave a good legacy,” he said, Igbuya said that Hon. Udoh excelled in a male dominated environment.

“The former chief whip of the House metamorphosed from a wife and mother, became a political Amazon, broke gender barriers in a male dominated environment, a feat she achieved four times proving to all that hers was a deliberate and candid political manoeuvre, arising from indubitable mastery of the game to which chance had no place,” he said.

He acknowledged the late Udoh as a hardworking, intelligent and humble woman who contributed to the development of the state.

“Hon. Udoh sponsored notable bills including Delta State Waste Management Bill, Delta State Ecology Bill, Delta State Sickle Cell Bill, Delta State Micro Finance Bill as well as Delta State Estate Regulatory Authority Bill. She will be remembered for her hard work, integrity, humility and sacrifice,” he said.

He also described Udoh as a woman of peace, whose life exemplified great accomplishments.

“Udoh had generous spirit and was dependable in every facet of her life. She built a bridge of hope and unity among her people; she also played politics of development,” he stated.

Igbuya said notwithstanding the tortuous electoral journey Udoh went through, her faith in the nation’s judiciary did not wane.

According to him, “Hon. Udoh was a true Nigerian with a true faith in her country. Her death is a great loss to the state. It is really hard to believe.

He urged leaders of the Itsekiri nation to remain united and work with the government to achieve their aspirations.

“My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the people of Itsekiri, the children and the extended family as they mourn the loss of a beloved mother, a great lawmaker and leader.”

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