•Late Rev Uma Ukpai
Abia State governor has described late evangelist and church planted, Rev Dr Uma Ukpai as a devoted and committed man of God who, not only worked for God, but served humanity with dedication in his life.
Speaking at an event in Umuahia, the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, challenged the living to lead a righteous and God fearing life in order to be remembered when they die, adding that the cleric did not die but merely transited into glory, reports Daily Independent.
“Papa Uma Ukpai did not die, but only transited. How can he die? You can see the children that came out, the great work that he did here.
“So, the challenge is for all of us. What would people say on a day like this, when it is our turn? You can see testimonies everywhere. I’m sure that you have been blessed,” Gov. Otti averred.
He thanked God for the gift of Rev Dr Uma Ukpai to Abia State, Nigeria and the World, saying that he decided to honour him because honour should be given to whom it is due.
He said, “We thank God for the gift of Papa Uma Ukpai, to our generation, to our dear state, to Akwa Ibom State, to Nigeria, to Africa, and to the World. Our decision to honour him is in our character of giving honour to whom honour is due”.
Governor Otti eulogised the man of God for all he did for humanity and declared “so Daddy, we thank you for the contribution you made to our state. We thank you for what you represented and we wish you well, good night,” Gov. Otti opined.
The governor also praised the wife of the deceased, Pastor Mrs Philomena Uma Ukpai for granting approval for the state to honour her husband and urged the bereaved family not to weep like those without hope.
“I want to thank you Mummy (Mrs Ukpai) for allowing us, give honour to whom honour is due. And to the family of the bereaved; you can weep, but not like the unbelievers, because he knows where he is headed.
“If you weep so much, maybe you are weeping for yourself. But for him, it is clear where he is headed. On that resurrection morning, I have no doubts that our daddy and all those who died in the Lord will wake up. They will resurrect, and we will meet with them again. That is the promise that God gave us”.
Also speaking, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi, described Rev. Uma Ukpai as a visionary leader, pointing out that the deceased fought a good fight of faith and finished well.
Eno therefore encouraged Abia, Akwa Ibom citizens and entire Nigerians to be consoled by the fact that the cleric lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.
In their tributes, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Prof. Mosy Madugba who spoke on behalf of PFN, said people should make Heaven their place of final rest.
Earlier in his sermon, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, stressed the need for all to come to Jesus, insisting that it is only giving one’s life to Christ that would make one to die a righteous death.
According to him, Rev. Uma Ukpai did not serve money nor corrupt the gospel, but lived a life of holiness, hence, God made his death glorious.
In a vote of thanks, the first son of Rev. Uma Ukpai, Dr Chidi Uma on behalf of the family thanked Governor Alex Otti and all individuals who attended the state service burial for identifying with them in their time of challenges.
He assured that the family will continue to stand on the rock which their father established.
The burial service attracted many dignitaries including Governor Doye Diri of Bayelsa State and his wife, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, deputy governors, wife of the former governor of Edo State, Betty Obaseki, members of the National Assembly, members of Abia House of Assembly, other assembly members, Abia State Executive Council members, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, and clergy men and women including traditional rulers.
