Former NADESTU President recalls how late governor increased students’ bursary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000, provided buses and opened public service opportunities for student leaders.
By Obinne Ralph Agbanashi
Former National President, National Association of Delta State Students (NADESTU), 2011
The late former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has been remembered for his support for students, youth development and educational advancement, with a former National President of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESTU), Obinne Ralph Agbanashi, describing him as a father figure who gave young people a sense of belonging in government.
Agbanashi, who led NADESTU in 2011, said Uduaghan’s relationship with student leaders went beyond official engagements, recalling how the former governor listened to their concerns, supported the peaceful conduct of student elections and approved welfare interventions that improved the association’s operations.
In a tribute reflecting on his personal experiences with the late governor, Agbanashi said Uduaghan’s legacy among Delta students included an increase in the students’ bursary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000, the provision of two brand-new 18-seater Toyota buses for the association and opportunities for former student leaders to enter public service.
How Uduaghan Supported Student Elections
Recalling his days as NADESTU president, Agbanashi said student politics in the state was sometimes characterised by intense competition and tension, particularly during elections.
He identified Dondon Migos Secondary School in Warri, a venue associated with the association’s election activities at the time, as one of the places where tensions could rise.
According to him, Uduaghan responded by maintaining communication with student leaders and approving the necessary logistics to provide adequate security around the election venue.
Agbanashi said the intervention was significant because it demonstrated the government’s recognition of students’ right to organise themselves, elect their representatives and participate in democratic processes in a safe environment.
He added that the former governor’s calm disposition and willingness to engage with young people helped ease tensions and encouraged peaceful dialogue rather than confrontation.
For Agbanashi and his colleagues, the experience became an important lesson in leadership, conflict management and democratic participation.
Bursary Increased from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000
One of the most memorable interventions, according to the former student leader, was Uduaghan’s approval of an increase in the students’ bursary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 following engagements with the association.
Agbanashi said the increase provided some financial relief for students facing the cost of education and other basic needs while attending higher institutions.
He noted that the decision reflected an understanding of the financial pressures confronting students and their families.
For the former NADESTU president, the intervention also reinforced the belief that student concerns could receive attention at the highest level of government.
He recalled that Uduaghan was accessible to student representatives, sometimes receiving them in his office and, on other occasions, at his personal dining room.
According to him, the governor listened to their requests and provided assurances, with formal documentation sometimes following later.
https://guardian.ng/news/reps-give-mtn-airtel-glo-others-seven-day-ultimatum-over-poor-network/
Two Toyota Buses Strengthened NADESTU Operations
Agbanashi also recalled that Uduaghan approved two brand-new 18-seater Toyota buses for NADESTU during his administration.
He said the vehicles strengthened the association’s operational capacity, making it easier to coordinate activities and serve students across Delta State.
Although such support might appear modest when measured against the broader responsibilities of government, Agbanashi said the buses represented a practical demonstration of the administration’s commitment to student welfare.
He added that the assistance helped the association discharge its responsibilities more effectively and strengthened its sense of accountability to the students it represented.
Overseas Education and Youth Development
Beyond immediate welfare support, Agbanashi said Uduaghan recognised education as an important instrument for developing the state’s human capital.
He pointed to the former governor’s administration’s sponsorship of Delta State students for overseas studies, noting that the opportunity enabled beneficiaries to pursue further education and acquire professional skills.
According to him, the initiative reflected the importance attached to preparing young people for future responsibilities and expanding their opportunities beyond the state.
Agbanashi said the investments in education demonstrated that the development of Delta State depended not only on physical infrastructure but also on the knowledge, skills and capabilities of its people.
Over 50 Former Student Leaders Absorbed into Civil Service
The former NADESTU president further recalled that more than 50 former student leaders were absorbed into the Delta State civil service during Uduaghan’s administration, while others secured political and administrative appointments, including positions at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
He said the opportunities sent a message that student leadership could serve as a foundation for future public service.
According to him, the experience students gained through organising associations, managing disagreements, negotiating with authorities and representing collective interests could prepare them for wider responsibilities in society.
Agbanashi said Uduaghan’s support helped former student leaders recognise that public service was a space in which young people could contribute meaningfully to governance and community development.
The figures and recollections were presented by Agbanashi as part of his personal account of the administration’s engagement with student leaders.
A Leader Remembered for Dialogue and Inclusion
Beyond his policies and interventions, Agbanashi said Uduaghan’s personal disposition was one of the qualities that endeared him to many student leaders.
He described the former governor as gentle, approachable and attentive, saying his willingness to listen often created opportunities for understanding where disagreements might otherwise have escalated.
He also described Uduaghan as a detribalised leader who related with people across ethnic and sectional divides in Delta State.
According to him, the former governor’s approach reinforced the importance of dialogue, inclusion and peaceful coexistence in a state with diverse communities and interests.
Oborevwori Acknowledges Predecessor’s Contributions
Agbanashi also referenced the acknowledgement by the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, of Uduaghan’s contributions to the development of the state.
He said the former governor’s legacy should be considered not only through projects, policies and public institutions but also through the individuals whose lives were influenced by the opportunities his administration created.
For the Delta student community, he said, Uduaghan’s legacy included his support for student leadership, bursary improvements, transportation assistance and opportunities for young people to participate in public service.
‘Delta Students Will Remember You’
Reflecting on the former governor’s passing, Agbanashi said the loss was deeply personal for those who experienced his support during their years in student leadership.
He maintained that leadership should also be measured by the number of people encouraged, supported and prepared to contribute to society.
“Delta students will remember you. I will remember you,” he said in his tribute, expressing gratitude for the opportunities Uduaghan helped create.
Agbanashi concluded that the former governor had left an enduring impression on a generation of student leaders whose experiences during his administration shaped their understanding of leadership, public service and civic responsibility.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of Uduaghan’s soul, saying the late governor’s influence would remain in the lives of the students he supported and the leaders who emerged from the student movement.
“Rest in peace, Your Excellency. You walked gently among us, but you left footprints that time will not easily erase,” he said.
