Defunct UPN Chief Whip Tom Egbuwoku dies at 78

The Chief Whip of the defunct United Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic House of Representatives (1979-1983), High Chief Tom Egbuwoku, has passed on. He was 78.

Egbuwoku, the Okupe of Emede Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State where he hailed from, died on Saturday after a brief illness at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

His wife, Dr. Emily Eniwo, a retired principal and son Pastor Mazino confirmed the demise.

He was born on May 1, 1938 and attended elementary school at CMS Emede and CMS Bomadi.

In 1964 he entered the University of Ibadan where he earned a B.Sc Economics in 1967.

He was a Collector at Board of Customs Lagos (1966-68); Chief Economist, Central Bank of Nigeria (1967-1975); Group GM, Tuoyo/Marine Factors and later Group MD/Chairman of Tombiz Group Of Companies (1975-2001.

He was Chairman, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (1979-1983) with headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia.

After the national formation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was commissioned to lead a team of other prominent politicians for the setting up of structures for the party in Delta State, which successfully lead to the eventual establishment and victory of PDP in the state.

He also served as a Federal Commissioner for the National Assembly Service Commission in Abuja, representing Niger-Delta (2001-2006).

Former Isoko South LGA chairman, Mr. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas who is now in charge of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Delta and Rivers states as well as the Media Adviser to the Lord Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Oleh, Sir Odafe Othihiwa, lamented the death of Egbuwoku who they described as a great leader, philanthropist, bridge-builder and friend of the people of his ethnic nationality, Nigeria and Africa.

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has described the death of the elder statesman and prominent politician, as the “painful passage of an icon who mentored many in the act of conscientious politics and good governance.”

Uduaghan, in a condolence statement, said Egbuwoku, who represented the Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, would be remembered for his accommodation of all shades of opinions and his ability to shake hands across political divides for the common good of all.

Uduaghan went on: “What most people don’t know is that UBT Egbuwoku can be described as one of the founding fathers of the PDP in Delta State.”