Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was born into the family of Chief Edmund D. Uduaghan and Mrs. Cecilia Uduaghan on October 22, 1954. His father hails from Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, while the mother Cecilia is an indigene Ubiaja in Esan South-East ofEdoState. He began his academic career atBaptistPrimary School, Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government area ofDeltaState, between 1961 to 1966. From there, he went to the eliteFederalGovernmentCollege, Warri for his secondary education from 1968 to 1974. He attendedFederalGovernmentCollege, Warri for his secondary education from 1968 – 1974.
He attendedUniversityofBeninfrom 1975 to 1980 after which he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). His choice of career was not only determined by the need to have a means of livelihood, but mainly by an undying urge for selfless service through bringing succour to the sick. It is this motivation that has continued to influence his activities even outside his professional area of medicine.
From his childhood and as one growing into a youthful age, he was recognized as an outstanding leader in most of the various circles, particularly among his peers. He is known to be hard-working, disciplined, committed to the core and one who has a selfless attitude to work even after his educational pursuit.
In 1981, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan fresh from the university was posted toKwaraStatefor the one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Once again, he excelled and distinguished himself as a shining star. He was honoured as the most outstanding Corps Doctor inKwaraStateat the end of the service year. The award by the State’s NYSC Director was a deserving acknowledgement of his remarkable contribution to the health care delivery system. This award was a clear manifestation of Dr. Uduaghan’s commitment to hard work and a desire to succeed in life. To crown and further enrich his knowledge in his chosen career, he obtained a Diploma in Anesthesia from theUniversityofBeninafter a course lasting from 1985 to 1986.
As an employed medical doctor at the Delta Steel Company (DSC) Medical Centre, Aladja inDeltaState, where he took up a job after his service year for six years, Dr Uduaghan made his mark when he won the DSC General Manager’s prize for his outstanding service. Within a period of six years, he quickly scaled up to the rank of senior Medical Office (SMO), another milestone on his way to success. Between 1989 and 1994, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan served in a number of healthcare facilities such as Shell Clinic Ogunu; Westend Hospital Warri and Benoni Clinic Benin City Edo State. He has also served as Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Warri; Secretary, Association of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, Warri Zone. His drive propelled by the urge to offer satisfactory service to the people free of the constraints of paid employment, he decided to take into private practice thus setting up his own Abode Clinic in Warri in memory of his grandmother.
Outside his medical profession, Dr. Uduaghan’s other main preoccupation has been politics and in this, he has been very courageous. Essentially a grassroots politician, he was chairman and foundation Member of the All Nigerian Congress Association, Warri South Local Government Area. During the late General Sani Abacha’s ill-fated transition to civil rule programme, he was a founding member of the Grass-roots Democratic Movement (GDM) and later rose to become an executive officer of the party. He is today a foundation member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Before then, he had served as Secretary, All Itsekiri Politicians Forum.
When the nation returned to democratic rule in May 1999, Governor James Ibori, recognizing his ability to perform, appointed him into his cabinet as the Commissioner for Health. After several years of neglect under the military,DeltaState’s public health became the foundational milestone inDeltaState. Care delivery system was near total collapse. So it was a challenging task that confronted the then new commissioner.
In recognition of his efforts, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) honoured him as the most outstanding Health Commissioner in the South-South Zone of the country. Given such enviable background, proven ability and experience, it is not surprising that the whole Deltans welcomed his appointment on June 6, 2003 to the exalted position of Secretary to the State Government, by Governor James Ibori. Most people scored his performance as SSG very high. As Secretary to the State Government, he continued to display transparency, honesty and hard work.
He is a proud member of the Jaycees International, under which auspices he attended several world congresses and activities on leadership development. He won the Award of the Most Outstanding President of Area ‘B’ of the Nigeria Chamber of Jaycees International (1989). He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Governor Uduaghan is also a member of Global Governors summit led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California. The group made up of governors from across the world is committed to building cooperation amongst sub-national governments (State Governments) to address the issues of Climate Change. Governor Uduaghan is also a founding member of R20, a group of sub-national leaders building new international frameworks and cooperation on Climate Change and the development of green economy.
By 2007, he presented himself as a candidate for the governorship of Delta on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won.
The creditability of his works has attracted a number of honors amongst which are: the most outstanding Health Commissioner in the South-South Zone of the country by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Most Outstanding President of Area ‘B’ of the Nigeria Chamber of Jaycees International (1989), Rotary International- Distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award, 2000, Rotary Club of Asaba - Hon. Rotarian Award, 2004, City People Media Group - Award of Excellence in Administration, 2005, College of Medical Sciences, - Award for Excellence, University of Benin 2005, Nigeria Turning Point Prayer - Heroes of Faith Award, 2005, This Day Award of Excellence and Emerging Tiger, The Central Bank of Nigeria Award for Best Support Governor for Micro Finance, Kwame Nkrumah leadership award by the All Africa Students Union (AASU) based in Ghana.
Governor Uduaghan is a christian of the Baptist faith and a married father of two children.
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was born on 22 October 1954 in Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State of Itsekiri origin. He attended Federal Government College, Warri (1968–1974), and the University of Benin (1975–1980) earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree, and a Diploma in Anaesthesia. He is married, with two children.His wife, Roli, is the daughter of Brig. General Sunny E. Tuoyo (Rtd), at one time Military Administrator of Ondo State.
Emmanuel Uduaghan began work in 1983 at the Delta Steel Company, as a medical officer. From 1989 to 1994, he worked in a number of hospitals including Westend Hospital, Warri; Benoni Hospitals, Benin City and Shell Hospital, Ogunu, where he was a Consultant Anaesthesiologist. In 1994 he set up a private medical practice. He was held the positions in the Nigerian Medical Association in Warri, Bendel State and Delta State. He was also active in the Junior Chamber International (Jaycees) leadership development organization.
Emmanuel Uduaghan was a founding member and Chairman of the All Nigeria Congress Association for the Warri South Local Government Area, a founder and executive member of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), and a foundation member of the PDP. On 6 August 1999, the Governor of Delta State James Onanefe Ibori appointed Emmanuel Uduaghan as Commissioner for Health, Delta State. In this position he improved the pay of medical staff and upgraded infrastructure. On 6 June 2003, Uduaghan was appointed Secretary to the Delta State Government.In November 2008, Uduaghan and State Chief Justice Rosaline Bozimo approved establishment of sanitation mobile courts to prosecute sanitation offenders in the State.
Uduaghan ran again for governor in the 26 April 2011 elections, and was reelected. He gained 525,793 votes, while Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic People's Party (DPP) was the runner-up with 433,834 votes. He is doing well
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