Delta state former governor and the 2019 Delta South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Emmanuel Uduaghan, has expressed his heartfelt commiserations to the family of the proprietor of the prestigious Grand Hotels, Asaba and foremost industrialist, businessman and elder statesman, Sonny Iwedike Odogwu, (CFR), who passed Monday at 87 years.
Uduaghan in a statement signed by his media aide, Monoyo Edon, obtained by HardReporters, said “I received with a heavy heart the news of the passage of a renowned businessman, philanthropist and industrialist, Chief Sunny Odogwu. Odogwu, like many other great businessmen who hail from Delta State, brought pride to the people of the state.”
According to the former governor, “in spite of his global connections, he returned home and was made a prominent traditional chief in Asaba (Ide Ahaba of Asaba). Odogwu’s death is a great loss to our dear state, Delta, Nigeria and personally to me, who had the opportunity of tapping from his global experience in business.
“His revered business expertise brought about many innovations in the Nigeria’s business circle today especially through the Sunny Iwedike Odogwu (SIO) Group of Companies – a firm with investment in property development, shipping, finance, industrial relations and hotel management.
“Back home, he was very committed to the development of Delta State and Nigeria. This, he displayed, during the administration of Chief James Onanefe Ibori and my government, by providing insightful suggestions and ideas that will move the state forward. Whenever I called on him as a governor of his dear state, he will always give me that listening ear and support.
“Ideh AHABA, was very supportive in the development of Asaba, especially in two landmark projects. Throughout the period of the construction of the ultra modern Government House in Asaba, he visited the site regularly and on his first visit when it was put to use, he remarked that Asaba has finally been given a befitting status as the seat of Government.
“He also visited the Asaba airport regularly during construction. On the first day he landed Asaba airport from Lagos, he drove to my office and said, “Thank you Governor. I never expected that I will land with a plane into Asaba in my lifetime. In my early years in Government, he prepared my mind to what I was going to experience in Asaba. I was therefore not taken unawares when some of those things started happening.
“As Ide Ahaba of Asaba Kingdom, Chief Odogwu enormous contributions to the traditional development of his people of Anioma (Delta North), was so warming. Ide Ahaba loves his people, and that, he can’t trade for anything. On behalf of my family, I mourn with the Odogwus, the Asagba of Asaba, Asaba Traditional Council of Chiefs and the entire Anioma Nation for this painful loss. May his soul Rest In Peace. Amen.” the statement concluded.
Also in the same vein, governor Ifeanyi Okowa has commiserated with the family of the late icon as well as condoling with the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien and the Asaba people on the death of their illustrious son.
In a statement signed by Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu on Tuesday, made available to newsmen, said “Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of one of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs and philanthropist, Chief Sonny Odogwu, (CFR).
“Governor Okowa extends sincere condolences to members of Odogwu’s family as well as his friends, associates, business partners within and outside Nigeria, and the people of Asaba where he held the traditional title of Ide-Ahaba of Asaba.
“The Governor shares in their pain and sorrow as they mourn the late Chief Sonny Odogwu who was also honoured in his lifetime with the Zik Leadership Award in Business in 1997, the World Bank Group-IMF African Club Prize in Business Leadership in 1998 as Africa’s best businessman and Lifetime Award as an outstanding personality of the decade by The Anioma Professionals Forum in Lagos in 2017.”
