ASABA/Nigeria: Prof Amos Agbe Utuama, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, has been praised as a distinguished academic whose transition into public office brought substantial improvements to state legislation, especially for oil-producing regions.
Utuama, who served as deputy to former Governor Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan from 2007 to 2015, was celebrated for his dedication to equity and impactful governance by Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah, former Commissioner for Information in Delta State.
In a heartfelt tribute, Ogeah recounted Utuama’s impressive journey from academia to government, noting his pivotal role in ensuring that Delta and other Niger Delta states receive fair oil revenue shares through derivation.
“When he left the University of Lagos to become Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, he infused the legislative process with his extensive legal expertise,” Ogeah stated.
“Thanks to his relentless pursuit of justice for oil-producing states, he managed to overcome both legal and administrative hurdles to secure what was due.”
Reflecting on his personal connection to Utuama, Ogeah shared that he was once a student of the professor at the University of Lagos, where Utuama taught him land law—a subject known for its complexity.
“Prof Utuama’s mentorship was unique; he had a fatherly approach that helped us navigate the challenges without undue strain,” he recalled. “Later, when I served under him as Commissioner, he extended the same kindness and guidance he had shown me as his student.”
Ogeah further extolled Utuama’s unwavering integrity, contrasting it with the sometimes controversial role of academics in election management. “Prof Utuama left a legacy of service, honour, and integrity.
He was a deeply loyal deputy to his principal, embodying simplicity and moral fortitude in governance. May God bring comfort to his family in this time of loss,” Ogeah concluded.
