Uduaghan, the Delta South Senatorial District candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 general elections, through his media aide, Mr Monoyo Edon, expressed shock at the demise of the global business personage.
“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.
“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,” Uduaghan prayed.