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By Okpa I. Okpa and Obinna Kalu
The Asaga (Ohafia) Development Union (ADU) and the entire Asaga Ohafia community received with deep shock, sorrow, and humble submission to the will of God the news of the passing of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, a distinguished son of Asaga Ohafia Community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. The news resonated profoundly across our community and beyond, evoking heartfelt grief while also calling to remembrance a life wholly devoted to God, humanity, and the advancement of his people.
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was an internationally respected Christian evangelist, preacher, author, and revivalist, and the Founder and President of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association. Through decades of dedicated ministry, he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ with clarity, conviction, and compassion. His messages of repentance, holiness, faith, and hope reached millions across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and other parts of the world through crusades, revival meetings, prayer conferences, and teaching engagements. His ministry was widely known for its emphasis on moral renewal, practical Christianity, and the integration of faith with responsible living.He was The Sun Newspaper Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2023.
As a proud and committed son of Asaga Ohafia, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai demonstrated exceptional love for his ancestral home through visionary and sustained contributions to community development. In 2017, he established the Uma Ukpai Polytechnic in Asaga-Ohafia, the first polytechnic in Ohafia, with the aim of expanding access to quality tertiary education, promoting skills acquisition, and empowering young people. Beyond educational advancement, the polytechnic also serves as a source of employment for academic and non-academic staff, thereby contributing to local economic growth and improved livelihoods.
In recognition of the importance of healthcare to human dignity and productivity, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai established the King of Kings Specialist Hospital to provide quality healthcare services to underserved communities. The hospital has significantly improved access to medical care for Asaga Ohafia and its environs and has equally provided employment opportunities for healthcare professionals and support staff, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable development and job creation. His vision for infrastructural development further extended to the construction and tarring of rural roads within Asaga Ohafia, easing transportation challenges, enhancing connectivity, and stimulating local economic activities.
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai also made generous financial contributions toward infrastructural and community development projects and consistently responded to pressing needs within the community. Through his influence and advocacy, he facilitated the siting of government institutions in Asaga Ohafia, thereby strengthening institutional presence and attracting public investment. In addition, he actively facilitated the appointment of Asaga and Ohafia indigenes into strategic positions in both the public and private sectors, opening doors of opportunity and promoting inclusive representation.
Beyond his material contributions, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was an apostle of community peace, unity, and tranquility. At critical moments in the history of Asaga Ohafia, he played a pivotal and fatherly role in restoring harmony whenever the community faced threats to peace. Through dialogue, prayer, wise counsel, and moral authority, he helped to resolve conflicts, reconcile differences, and reinforce the bonds of unity, leaving behind a lasting legacy of peaceful coexistence.
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai also held a deep respect for the culture and traditions of his people. He never repudiated the customs of Asaga Ohafia so long as they were not contrary to the teachings of God. He firmly believed that culture and tradition, when properly preserved and aligned with moral values, serve as vital instruments for promoting peace, unity, identity, and communal prosperity. Through this balanced approach, he encouraged harmony between faith and culture, fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.
Widely celebrated as a compassionate philanthropist, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai demonstrated deep concern for the poor, widows, and other vulnerable members of society. He paid school fees for indigent students, awarded scholarships to many young people, and provided financial and moral support to families in distress. Through these acts of generosity, he restored dignity, rekindled hope, and empowered countless individuals to pursue education and meaningful livelihoods.
Beyond his public ministry and community service, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was a loving husband and devoted family man. He was happily married to Reverend Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Uma Ukpai, and their union was blessed with children and grandchildren. He cherished his family deeply and exemplified godly leadership, love, and responsibility within the home, reflecting the same values he preached and lived in public.
To the Asaga Ohafia Development Union, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was more than a Patron; he was a father, mentor, counselor, conciliator, and spiritual guide. He took a personal interest in the affairs of the Union and was consistently present at meetings and engagements, offering prayers, wise counsel, and encouragement. His mentorship strengthened the Union’s vision, unity, and commitment to service, and his guidance remains an enduring source of inspiration.
One of his most enduring spiritual legacies in Asaga Ohafia is the Asaga Solemn Assembly, a Christian programme he faithfully sponsored and hosted on the 1st of January every year for several decades. Through this annual gathering, he ushered the community into each new year with prayer, worship, repentance, thanksgiving, and spiritual reflection, thereby reinforcing the moral and spiritual foundations of the people.
Beyond Asaga Ohafia, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was nationally and internationally recognised as a leading voice in evangelical ministry and moral leadership. Through his teachings, publications, and mentorship of pastors and Christian leaders, he left behind a rich spiritual heritage that continues to shape lives and ministries across generations.
Though we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life that was rich in purpose, impact, and service. Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai exemplified the harmonious blend of faith and development, spirituality and social responsibility, local identity and global influence. His name remains permanently inscribed in the history of Asaga Ohafia as a worthy son whose contributions will endure for generations.
We take comfort in the assurance that he fought the good fight, finished his race faithfully, and has been called to eternal rest.
Adieu, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai.
Your works speak for you.
Your enduring legacies of Faith and Service live on.
Asaga Ohafia will forever remember and honour you.
• Okpa I. Okpa and Obinna Kalu are the President General and Secretary General of Asaga (Ohafia ) Development Union respectively.
