Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN has expressed shock and deep pain at the demise of the President-General of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd), describing it as another loss to Nigeria, Delta State and the Urhobo nation in particular.

Utuama in a statement by his Press Secretary Augustine Avwode, said the late Gen. Aziza was a courageous and patriotic son of whom the Urhobo are proud.

His words: “The Urhobo nation has lost a courageous and illustrious leader that we are proud of. He was fully committed to the cause and progress of the Urhobo nation. He served his country meritoriously as a patriotic and gallant military officer. He worked very hard towards the completion of the Urhobo Cultural Centre (UCC) at Uvwiamuge and he was committed to completing it. I am sure if there was one thing he would regret by his untimely death, it was his inability to complete the project that was very dear to the Urhobo nation. He would be sorely missed, especially at a very challenging time such as we are going through in the history of our country.”

Utuama condoled the leadership of the UPU, as well as Urhobo sons and daughters both at home and abroad, urging them to accept the demise of Aziza as the inevitable will of God and prays that God will grant the immediate family the grace and fortitude to bear the loss.

•Photo shows late Gen. Patrick Aziza.