ASABA— Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the late Professor Omo Omoruyi as a patriot and nationalist who had a burning passion for the unity and improvement of democracy in Nigeria.

Reacting to the news of the death of the renowned academic, the governor, in a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, said Nigeria will forever remember Professor Omoruyi as an advocate of good governance in the country.

Uduaghan said that the academic community, Edo State and Nigeria in general will be affected by the painful exit of a man who at great risk to personal safety and love for the common man would always want to speak the truth at all times.

The governor said: “Even while he was on the sick bed, when he should be thinking only about his health, he never stopped talking. He was more concerned about deepening democracy and the distribution of the dividends to the grassroots.”

The governor, therefore, urged lovers of democracy, including the academia to see this moment of his death to honour the late Omoruyi by seeking to actualise the values and ethos for which he lived and was willing to sacrifice his live, particularly in service of the nation.

He moreover prayed God to grant the family of the deceased, the Edo State Government and people, as well as Nigerians in general, the fortitude to bear the loss, especially at a time when Professor Omoruyi’s voice and wisdom were most needed.