REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia state government has organized a commendation service in honour of a gallant soldier of God late Reverend Dr Umah Ukpai who passed into glory last year at the age of 80 during a brief illness.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti emphasized the importance of honouring the late Rev Dr. Uma Ukpai for his immense contributions to Abia State, Nigeria, and beyond.
Governor Otti noted that the decision to celebrate the revered man of God even in death, reflects his administration’s core value of giving honour to whom it is due.
The Governor who appreciated the late Rev Dr Uma Ukpai’s contributions to the body of Christ and humanity in general highlighted his legacy and pointed to the lives he impacted as evidence that his work endures.
He challenged the people to reflect on how they would be remembered and urged them to live meaningful lives.
Also speaking, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, described the late Uma Ukpai as a visionary, noting that the deceased had fought a good fight of faith and finished well.
He encouraged Abians, people of Akwa and Nigerians at large to take heart, noting that the later Gospel Evangelist lived a life worthy of emulation.
In their separate tributes, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), speaking on behalf of the body, alongside Reverend Mosy Madugba, observed that it is honourable to die the death of the righteous.
They described Reverend Ukpai as a global voice and a unifier among ministers of the Gospel whose legacy transcends generations and emphasized that it was the first time the PFN had placed its flag on the coffin of any individual in Nigeria.
Bishop Oke who spoke on the topic; “Let me die the death of the righteous”, drew his text from the Book of Numbers 23:10 stated that while alive, Rev. Ukpai exemplified how to live and die righteously through his preaching of grace rather than mere religiosity.
He further noted that Reverend Ukpai neither served money nor corrupted the Gospel but lived a life of holiness and followed God both in deed and in doctrine.
In a vote of thanks, the first son of the deceased, Dr Chidi Uma, on behalf of the family, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Otti and all those who attended the State burial for their support during the family’s time of grief.
He assured that the family would remain steadfast on the spiritual foundation laid by their father and pledged to uphold and continue his legacy.
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the State Burial Service drew top eminent personalities, including the General Manager Radio Nigeria Pacesetter FM Umuahia, Mr Godwin Obasi, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Doye Diri and his wife; and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi amongst others.
