Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the late Dr. Abel Kprogidi Ubeku as a statesman, outstanding academic and father to all beyond his family where he was the patriarch.

Reacting to the news of the demise of the first indigenous Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, the governor in a statement by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, also described the late Ubeku as a good natured personality who harboured no malice and thought no evil towards others.

“One factor that played out each time you met the late Ubeku was his good natured personality. For a man who had attained such an enviable height in life, you are also struck by his unmistakeable humility and open handedness. You immediately see the traits of a statesman,” Uduaghan pointed out.

He said Dr. Ubeku’s wisdom and wise jokes will be greatly missed by him and all those who had the good fortune of having an encounter with the man while alive, adding that the former presidential aspirant was a father to him.

According to the governor, “High Chief Ubeku was a man endowed with abundant wisdom. His bag of jokes was almost inexhaustible. Yet, you could not doubt his sound academic stature or brilliance. That was why he was like a father to me. It is really hard to imagine that such an iconic figure has gone to meet the Creator of the universe.”

Uduaghan stated that the death was a big blow to Nigeria, Delta State, the Isoko nation, where the deceased hailed from, as well as the entire Ubeku family. He prayed God to grant all those affected, the fortitude to bear the loss.

•Photo shows late Dr. Abel Ubeku (right) making a presentation to Governor Uduaghan during a public event.