Okowa, Ibori mourn Tony Obuh; gov pays condolence visit to family

Late Tony Obuh.

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed deep sadness on the passing of Chairman, Delta State Bureau of Pensions, Sir Anthony Obuh.

Obuh, a retired Permanent Secretary and politician, hails from Oki community, Agbor Kingdom, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

He reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, after a protracted illness. He was aged 62.

The deceased was Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocols between 2007 and 2014 when he retired voluntarily to contest for the office of Governor of Delta on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although he lost the primaries, he remained a committed and loyal party man. Former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan later appointed him as Commissioner for Special Duties, a position he occupied until the end of the administration in May, 2015.

Under Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, he was appointed Chairman, Delta State Bureau of Pensions in June, 2018, a position he held until he died.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Ika South, Oki community in particular, Agbor Kingdom and the entire Delta Public Service community over the passing of the renowned civil servant and technocrat.

He said that Obuh was a respected civil servant, politician and administrator, who excelled in all his endeavours.

The governor described him as "thoroughbred technocrat" whose contributions to the civil service would be indelible, adding that he felt a ``personal loss’’ with the demise of the great son of Ikaland.

"On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred professional, Sir Anthony Chuks Obuh, who reportedly died early Thursday at the UNTH, Enugu.

“The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the people of Ika South and the entire bureaucracy in Delta on the passing of the renowned politician and top-notch civil servant.

"He was a gentleman-politician, and distinguished himself in the service of his state as a retired Permanent Secretary, Commissioner and current Chairman of the Pension Board.

"Until his death, he was an active member of Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta and a leader in Ika South Local Government Area. He will be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in many ways," he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has since paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Chairman, Delta State Bureau of Pensions, Sir Anthony Obuh, who passed on in the early hours of todaq..

The governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Edith, top government functionaries, including Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko and permanent secretaries arrived at the Obuh’s home in Asaba at 3.10 p.m.

He condoled with the deceased’s wife, Ogor Obuh, and son, Tony Obuh Jnr, family members, other relatives and well wishers who had thronged the residence to mourn the late technocrat, a retired permanent secretary.

Prayers were said by the governor and members of his entourage for the family for God to grant the deceased’s soul eternal rest.

Okowa prayed God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss.

Similarly, former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has commiserated with Delta state’s Gov Ifeanyi Okowa, on the death of Mr. Tony Chuks Obuh, Chairman, Delta State Bureau of Pensions.

In a statement signed by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, Chief Ibori said that Obuh will always be remembered for his variegated roles as an excellent Civil Servant, astute administrator and committed politician.

Ibori said: “Mr Obuh served as a Civil Servant for 32 years, starting from the old Bendel state as an Administrative Officer II in 1982. He was already recognised as a shining star there and was given challenging assignments; Director, Investment and Loans, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, as well as Acting Chairman, Bendel Insurance Company Ltd.

So, he was already a seasoned Civil Servant when our dear Delta state was carved out from Bendel State, and he was one of those who helped the young Delta state not only to settle down but to build the stout foundation on which it rests and which has helped it to enjoy quick development.

I remember that it was during my administration that Tony Obuh became a Permanent Secretary in 2007. He honoured that post with his passionate, relentless and selfless service. On retirement, Mr. Obuh joined the Peoples Democratic Party and contested the 2015 governorship election.

Tony Obuh was dependable both as a Civil Servant and in his private life.

He will surely be remembered as a pillar of every community he has lived in, especially his Oki, Ika South LGA community, and a devout member of the Catholic Church for he really lived a life of service. 

May God give the entire member of the family, the Oki village and the Ika South LGA people the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

May his gentle soul will rest in perfect peace”.