GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has certain ordinariness about him.

He carries himself with simple gait and ordered steps.He lacks the arrogant superiority that goes with powerful men of politics in Nigeria .His arrival to an expectant crowd scarcely evokes awe. An encounter even with a casual bystander easily reveals a man patterned to commonplace modesty.

He does not look like a governor. In Nigeria,governors are gods.They walk like giants.They rule like Roman emperors.They command fear.They endure no opposition.

They have no business with humility, only haughty imperial manners.In power politics in Nigeria ,it is a taboo to bow so low, as such posture is seen as condescending, particularly if you wear gubernatorial vestment.

Some more daring ones dominate their states as conquered territories and small worlds exclusive to their whims. Like the superhuman Zeus in Greek mythology, accustomed to playing chess with his mortal vassals, quite a number of the governors bestride their areas of influence with prideful authority, leading the people at the mercy of absolute power, with all the grave consequences.

This is where Governor Uduaghan’s comportment comes into play.As the governor of one of the most important states in Nigeria , often called the economic jewel of the nation for its strategic location in the heart of oil- rich Niger Delta, Dr Uduaghan could have strutted his stuff like the great Atlas who had the whole world on his shoulders.But he chose to remain unassuming .

In terms of governance ,he has so far led Delta with the best of his ability worthy of congratulation.Governor Uduaghan has built one of the finest airports in sub- Saharan Africa,changing forever the face of Asaba,Nigeria’ s first colonial capital under the British Royal Niger company.

His social welfare policies, Delta micro credit programme, DMCP, free maternal /children health care scheme and scholarship to gifted Deltans, will outlive him as noble acts of a compassionate leader enthused with public good. Uduaghan like every mortal has his frailties ,but not a few will submit that he is a man of modest ego and good breeding .

Generally by pedigree,Uduaghan has good reason to show off like a peacock .But he lives quietly like a dove.Before his eventful adventure into the political space, he was a successful medical doctor .The medical profession is not for average people.He is endowed with a sound mind.

If Uduaghan had recorded salutary accomplishments in the saddle ,he has also proved himself Nigeria’s most media friendly governor.That he had in recent times emerged as VANGUARD MAN OF THE YEAR,SUN NEWSPAPER MAN OF THE YEAR,LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR as well as Irish based METRO EIREAN NEWSPAPER DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITY underscore his national and international appeal among the mainstream media.As he braces up to finish strong ,it is hoped that he will pay more attention to the transformation of the state media organs like DBS and POINTER Newspapers .

Even with the widespread media accolades and long list of other honours, the press never ceases to criticize him in the most trenchant of scrutiny. He stands as one of the most vilified governors in Nigeria. In a complex state where ethnicity and hatred thrive with reckless abandon,Uduaghan had remained free spirited, continually embracing his dangerous traducers and bitter foes.

A sage once warned that you do not empower your enemies.He loves to be at peace with his supposed enemies to the bewilderment of persecutors and even sycophants. A man of pleasant temperament and calm countenance, not once had Uduaghan taken sustained press criticism to heart, no matter how acidic, mischievous or malicious.

He has maintained a striking friendship with the media, exemplified by stoic tolerance, tireless goodwill and humane fatherly disposition. As a policy, he never ever coerced or cornered the leadership of the press to burnish his image.No journalist had been harassed,maimed or killed under his watch.This is the experience of NUJ / Journalists in Delta State under the administration of governor Uduaghan .He understands the media and the psychology of journalists . One can safely say beyond adulation that he is one of the best journalists Nigeria never had.

As he marks his valedictory birthday as governor, somehow we will deeply miss the man who has doctored our sensibilities in diverse ways.

Norbert Chiazoris chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State.