October 13, 2025
NEWS

Former Senate President loses husband

Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu (rtd), a former member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, the highest lawmaking body during military rule who was married to Senator Omu, who also ascended to the highest lawmaking pedestal at the advent of democratic rule has died at 84.
Gen Paul Omu’s death was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, by Oghenekome Omu, on behalf of the family.

According to the statement, the respected statesman and retired army general died on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

GWG.ng reports that he was married to Senator Stella Omu who as Senate Chief Whip was on May 25, 2001 elected president pro-tempore of the Senate.

Her election followed the nomination by Senator Jonathan Zwingina. She became the first and so far the only woman to have presided over Senate plenary in the history of the Fourth Republic.

Born in Igbide community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Paul Omu was hailed as a patriot, soldier, and community leader who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria and the advancement of his Isoko heritage.

“Major-General Paul Ufuoma Omu was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier, and community leader whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his beloved Isoko Nation,” the statement read.

Omu served as the military governor of the South-Eastern State between July 1975 and July 1978. During his tenure, he focused on the construction and rehabilitation of key infrastructure and laid the groundwork for lasting reforms that impacted the region’s development.

In 1985, he was appointed Commander of the Command and Staff College and became a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council—the highest decision-making body in the country at the time.

A prominent figure in Nigeria’s political evolution, General Omu played a significant role during the transition to democratic rule. In 1994, he was appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Conference Commission, where he helped shape the constitutional framework that would guide Nigeria’s return to civilian governance.

In recognition of his continued service, former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him Chairman of the 10-member Governing Board of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in September 2009.

Beyond national service, Omu also contributed to community development. He served as the President of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) from 2014 to 2015, fostering unity and progress among the Isoko people.

He is survived by his wife, Senator Chief (Mrs) Stella Omu. Besides her records in the Senate, she was also the first woman to become a deputy comptroller in the Nigerian Prison Service, NPS now known as the Nigerian Correctional Service. The marriage was blessed with six children.

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