Born in 1942 into the families of Late Bekenawei Uttoh and Late Mrs. Tabiri Abai of Kokodiagbene town and Igoba town, respectively, both in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Late Dr. Abel Uttoh was finally laid to eternal rest in the early hours of Saturday, November 4, 2023, after a social wake-keep ceremony on Friday in Kokodiagbene, and a Service of Songs ceremony in Warri on Tuesday, October 31. He was only 81 years old.

From an educational foundation career that began in 1955 at the Local Authority Primary School, popularly known as LA Primary School, the Late Dr. Uttoh shuffled between sitting in the classroom theorising knowledge and in the river practically learning the art of entrepreneurship through rendering help to his late father's fishing expedition.

Sadly, Late Dr. Uttoh lost his bread winner quite early in life, a tragedy that impacted on his education in the creeks due to the paucity of funds. Nonetheless he never gave up in the pursuit of acquiring knowledge as he found himself migrating from the creeks later on to the oil city Warri, where he gained admission into the then St. John CAC School at Ajamimogha and finally earned his first school leaving certificate in 1962.

Late Dr. Uttoh did not quit participating in fishing expedition to make ends meet as he continued to ply the trade. In 1967, he again migrated to the city of Warri, but this time in search of greener pastures. He worked as an employee at the McDermott company from 1967 to 1970. During his working career, he rendered his services to the United Geographical Company (UGC) as a Welder helper, and also at Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) alongside the now famous Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

Going the family way, Late Dr. Uttoh got married to Mrs. Blessing Uttoh Ajemiyota (deceased) in 1974, a union that was fruitful; and later to Mrs. Alero Uttoh Agbasa. Until his death, his only legitimate wife is Mrs. Christiana Uttoh whom he married in 2021.

Late Dr. Uttoh is often described as a hardworking, accommodating, sacrificial dedicated and independent persona and one of the best tradomedical doctor who used his gift to bring succour to many at very low and affordable cost. As for his spiritual life, the Late Dr. Uttoh was a member of the Open Doors Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, in Warri, and never joked with serving his Creator.

"I know a day like this would come but I never expected it so soon considering how smart and strong you were," wrote Dr. Uttoh's first daughter, Mrs. Mercy Takor in her tribute. "However our time are truly in God's hands... I take it in good fate no matter how it hurts. Rest in the Bosom of the Lord," she prayed.

Chief Paul Ukuli, an elder in the family said he will always remember the Late Dr. Uttoh as a man who held everyone with high regard irrespective of age, status, race and color. He admitted that the late tradomedical doctor's legacy will continue to live on as his works speak volumes.

The son in-law, Tamarakuro Takor noted that "we are privileged to have shared our lives with this gem of a man" who he said "taught us so many things that we will pass on to the generations to come" just as he sited the live of the Late Uttoh as “an inspiration to the family and others whose lives he touched.”

An outing and Thanksgiving service holds on Sunday, November 5, at the RCCG in Kokodiagbene. The Late Dr. Uttoh is survived by four children, five grandchildren, among other relatives. May his gentle soul rest in peace. 

May his gentle and golden soul rest peacefully, Amen.

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