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Peter Obi, Otti, Diri, others eulogise late televangelist
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The late televangelist preacher, Rev Uma Ukpai, was on Friday laid to rest in his hometown, Asaga, Ohafia, in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. He died in October last year.
This is even as the Abia State Government gave the revered cleric a state funeral in Umuahia on Thursday, where the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia, his Bayelsa State counterpart, Doye Diri, and other personalities eulogised the fallen cleric.
Preaching at the funeral, Pastor Enoch Adejare of the Apostolic Church, Nigeria, highlighted Rev Ukpai’s selfless service to God and humanity.
Pastor Adejare eulogised Rev Ukpai for his humble disposition in life despite being famous while on earth.
He thanked God for the gift of Rev Uma Ukpai to humanity.
“He was a beacon of hope, a servant of the Lord, and a true son of Ohafia,” he said.
Other dignitaries who spoke eulogised Rev Uma Ukpai for bringing a new phase in the preaching of the word of God and urged the living to continue from where the renowned cleric stopped.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Government on Thursday held a state funeral service in honour of the late Abia-born global evangelist.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti urged people to live a good life so that when they are no more, they will be remembered for good.
Otti stated that Rev Uma Ukpai did not die but only transited and queried, “How can he die? You can see the children that came out and 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.”
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The governor thanked God for the gift of Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai to Abia State, Nigeria, and the world, and disclosed that he decided to honour him because honour should be given to whom it is due.
“We thank God for the gifts of Papa Uma Ukpai to our generation, to our dear state, to our 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.
“We thank you for what you represented, and we wish you well. Good night,” Otti wished him.
The governor appreciated 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.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi, described Rev Uma Ukpai as a visionary.
Governor Eno noted that the deceased fought a good fight of faith and finished well and urged Abians, Akwa Ibomites, and all Nigerians to take heart, as he lived a good life worthy of emulation.
The National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Prof. Mosy Madugba, who spoke on behalf of PFN, noted that it was good to die the death of a righteous man and described Rev Ukpai as a global voice and unifier of ministers of the gospel.
In a vote of thanks, the first son of Rev Uma Ukpai, Dr Chidi Uma, on behalf of the family, thanked Governor Otti and all those who attended the state funeral for identifying with them in their time of challenge.
He assured that the family is standing on the rock which their father established for them, adding that they would follow it.
The state funeral 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, the wife of the former Governor of Edo State, Bassey Obaseki, members of the National Assembly, members of Abia and other state Houses of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, as well as many clergymen and traditional rulers.
