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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised Christian clerics to imitate the ministry of the late international evangelist, Rev. (Dr) Uma Ukpai, who took the gospel of Christ beyond state capitals to remote communities.
Governor Diri said the late Rev. Ukpai distinguished himself among preachers for propagating the Christian faith in many rural communities and outside urban areas across Nigeria.
The Bayelsa governor, who paid tribute to the popular minister during a condolence visit to his family in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, said Ukpai finished his course on earth and that God called him home.
He recalled the late preacher’s several visits to Bayelsa communities and how he was a blessing to the state during state programmes.
He said, “Our late Papa Ukpai impacted so many lives through his evangelism and messages. He was a man who went into the interior and villages of our state to preach. He did not confine his preaching to only state capitals.
“If men of God can emulate our Papa, I am sure Christianity will be more planted than only coming to cities like Abuja, Lagos, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Benin City, and others, and many lives will be won by Christ.
“I agree that coming to cities is important because of their population, but there is still more work to be done in the interior and villages of our states, particularly in areas where there is a resurgence of idol worship.
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“This was what Papa Ukpai stood for. For me, his funeral will be a celebration of life, and if we have the dates, we will make ourselves available.
Responding, his wife, Pastor (Dr) Philomina Ukpai, appreciated the governor and his entourage for the visit.
Pastor Ukpai said she looked forward to it because of the long-standing relationship between her husband, his family, and the governor.
She thanked Governor Diri for his support and care since her husband passed on, noting that he was very attached to Bayelsa, which presented him with a golden key that he cherished so much.
“When he was 50 years old, he saw heaven in a dream and wanted to enter because of the beauty. But he stopped. I believe it was Jesus who stopped him, told him to go back, and that he had 30 more years. So, daddy did not die as it was God that called him,” she said.
Madam Ukpai, who said they had been married for 50 years, also recalled their humble beginning when her husband only had a motorcycle, and she rode a bicycle.
According to her, God was faithful and that over the years they experienced His blessings in diverse ways.
