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THE entire Delta State was thrown into mourning yesterday, following the death of the President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Major-General Patrick Aziza (rtd).
Aziza, a former military Governor of Kebbi State, was said to have died in the early hours of yesterday in an Abuja hospital.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, lamented the death of Aziza, describing him as an irreplaceable statesman.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, the governor described the death of General Aziza as a big blow and irreparable loss to Nigeria, Delta State and the Urhobo nation. He noted that the loss itself was devastating but was worsened by the timing when the invaluable contribution and experience of the late general were needed at this critical period of Nigeria’s history.
“In General Patrick Aziza we have lost one of the finest military officers, administrators, peace builders, nationalists and more fundamentally a statesman of repute.
“My administration enjoyed unparalleled support and cooperation from General Aziza as President General of the UPU, who was always there to share his wealth of experience with me anytime I called on him,” he said.
The Governor also described the late General Aziza as an industrialist whose business interests, ranging from hospitality, oil and gas among others helped to create employment for a sizeable number of Deltans.
“We will miss General Aziza’s calm demeanour, wise counsels and stabilising role in the politics and governance of Delta State,” he added.
In the same vein, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM Noble Eshemitan, Orefe 111, told The Guardian yesterday that the death of Aziza would create a big vacuum, not only in the UPU, but the entire Delta State and Nigeria in general.
“This is very devastating to all of us,” Eshemitan said. “His humility and respect for traditional institution is unrivalled. He championed the course of Urhobo people headlong and hence he was re-elected the President of UPU. We will surely miss him for the professional ways he handled issues concerning our people,” he stated.
In his condolence, former Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian Newspaper, Prof. G. G. Darah, observed that like a military colossus, Aziza led the Urhobos with vision, courage and fortitude noting that his era restored much of the national recognition and dignity to the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) had worked for in the last 80 years.
“His stubborn confidence in me ensured my nomination as Delta State delegate to the National Conference. He constantly monitored the progress and fortified us with advice and material to be resolute in defence of fundamental interests of Urhobo and Niger-Delta in respect of resource control, equitable derivation principle, environmental justice and creation of new Delta. We are gratified that most of these were achieved in the confab.”
Darah said he was looking forward eagerly to returning home to report to his Executive and the Urhobo people when the news of his demise broke.
“But General Aziza lived an honourable and fulfilled life as a patriot, soldier, minister, investor, philanthropist and leader of Urhobo and Nigeria. He will be remembered for these and more. Convey my condolences to the UPU executive and General Aziza family. His spirit of valour and candour will guide Urhobo people to more glorious victories just like that of Mukoro Mowoe, Samuel Mariere, T.E.A Salubi, Dr. Fredericks Esiri and Benjamin Okumagba,” Darah noted.
On his part, former Information Minister, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, described Aziza as a high worth, patrotic and dedicated military professional widely known for his faithfulness to professional duties and responsibilities.
“ He was also known to be loved by his fellow infantry officers and men. These values and principles Gen Aziza brought into the service of his Urhobo nation as President-General of UPU in the past decade and half.”
Oyovbaire also said he was most generous in friendship and mutual respects. “The Iroko of Okpe Kingdom and Urhobo nation has fallen; yet, the remarkable goodness of Aziza shall remain indelible in all of us who knew and associated with him. May his great soul rest in perfect peace,” Oyovbaire stated.
Former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, Chief Ighoyota Amori, descried the late Aziza as a great Urhobo patriot, saying: “He brought Urhobo Nation to an enviable height.”
Aziza was born on the 23rd of December 1947 in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. He started his secondary education in Ibadan before joining the army and participating in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), though he was raised in Abakaliki, now Ebonyi State. After graduating from the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna in 1970, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant and was posted to the 3rd Marine Commando. A year after he left the NDA, he was promoted a captain. Thereafter, he was appointed ADC to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General David Ejoor. Sometime in 1974, he was sent to attend a 12-month course at the Advanced School of Infantry in Fort Benning, United States.
Between 1978 and 1979, Aziza was at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, and was then posted to Army Headquarters, where he handled troop movement planning for the Nigerian contingent in the United Nations’ operations, UNIFIL, in Lebanon.
On August 28, 1991, Aziza was appointed the first military administrator of Kebbi State, while serving as the Brigade Commander of the Amphibious Brigade in Calabar.
He was one of those who planned the coup that brought General Sani Abacha to power, served as Minister of Communication in that administration. He headed the Special Military Tribunals that convicted Olusegun Obasanjo and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for involvement in an alleged coup plot in 1995 and tried six journalists for treason. Under the administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, he served as Minister of Commerce and Tourism.
He was, however, retired by President Olusegun Obasanjo along with other former military administrators. Aziza was a Chief in Osun State, with the title of Ajaguna of Okukuland.