Since the news of the demise of the Federal lawmaker representing Anambra State came to the public knowledge last Saturday, his political associates, Nigerians across the country have continued to pay tributes to the business mogul, whose sudden departure elicited great shock.
*Sen. Ubah’s death huge loss to Ndigbo – Govs Mbah, Nwifuru
By Alex Enebeli
Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi have expressed sadness and shock over the death of the federal lawmaker representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah.
They described Ubah’s death as a huge loss to the nation as a whole, and Ndigbo in particular.
The governors reacted to Uba’s demise in separate interviews in Enugu and Abakaliki respectively say that his death was “sunset at noon”.
Mbah recalled the late Senator’s legislative brilliance in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, regretting his death at a time his ideas and humanitarian services to his constituents were most needed.
“A young and ebullient leader, he had a sprawling and promising future ahead of him, which has now been cut short by the cold hands of death.
“Senator Ubah was committed to the Igbo cause and passionate about his service to the nation as a lawmaker.
“He was courageous at the floor of the Senate, intensive in his legislative advocacies, and sponsored quite a number of brilliant bills and motions that impacted the nation and its economy very positively,” Mbah said.
“He will be remembered for his philanthropy and various audacious efforts to better the welfare of his people
“My heart goes out to his family, the Government and people of Anambra State, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ndigbo, and the nation in general,” he stated.
In his reaction, Gov. Nwifuru of Ebonyi said that the Southeast and Nigeria have lost a dedicated public servant.
Ubah, who was representing Anambra South in the Senate, died at the age of 52 on Saturday in London, United Kingdom.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Dr Monday Uzor, said he was pained by the untimely and tragic death.
Nwifuru described the late lawmaker as” a dedicated public servant” to the southeast and Nigeria at large.
He said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, a dedicated public servant and a champion of the people, especially great people of Anambra state and Igbo Land.
“His untimely death is a tremendous loss to us all. Sen. Ubah was a tireless advocate for the welfare of the citizens, and his contributions to development of Nigeria as a Senator will never be forgotten”.
“His wisdom, expertise, and passion for good governance inspired countless individuals.
“As a serving Senator, he demonstrated unwavering commitment to the well-being of our people, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
“I extend on behalf of the Government and people of Ebonyi State my heartfelt condolences to his family, Anambra South Senatorial District colleagues, and constituents.
“May God grant you the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
*Ubah: Nigeria has lost a colossus – Okupe
By Adeyemi Adeleye
A former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, has mourned the passing of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah (APC-Anambra-South), who died on Saturday in London at 52.
Expressing sadness over the politician’s death in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, Okupe said Nigeria had lost a colossus with his demise.
“The curtains have fallen on the golden boy of the Southeast.
“Sen. Ifeanyi Uba was the enfant terrible of Anambra politics. He was a quintessential mogul of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and a politician extraordinaire.
“The south-east has lost an illustrious son, Nigeria has lost a colossus.
“He was my friend, my brother and political associate. May his soul rest in peace,” Okupe said.
NAN reports that Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, until his death, represented Anambra South Senatorial District at the Upper Legislative Chamber.
He was Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream).
Ubah won the Anambra South senatorial seat in the 9th National Assembly on the platform of Young People’s Party (YPP), a relatively unpopular party.
He repeated the feat in the 2023 elections.
Ubah officially defected to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) ,recently.
*Nigeria has lost an outstanding advocate for social justice, economic empowerment -Adoke
Also, eminent lawyer Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN has described late Senator
Ubah as a focused, compassionate politician and business Mogul who prioritized the welfare and economic prosperity of his people and, Nigerians in general.
Adoke stressed that Ubah’s contributions on the floor of the Senate bore glowing testimony to his belief in the Nigerian Project and unwavering commitment and resolve to uplift the masses of this great country from the shackles of poverty, hunger and disease.
He stated further that Senator Ubah was also a sports enthusiast. He owned FC Ifeanyi Ubah football club and a foundation that caters to the needs of the people of his Senatorial District.
“Senator Ubah was ebullient and full of life. The news of his demise was therefore a rude shock to Nigerians and has understandably evoked a deep sense of loss from those who had the good fortune of working and interacting closely with him.
“I was introduced to Senator Ubah by Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (aka Gabros), another fine gentleman, sports enthusiast and businessman of repute. The friendship quickly blossomed to a level where our families became quite close. I recall during my travails in exile, he visited me several times.
“On such visits, he would pray with me and counsel me on the need to have faith in God and eschew bitterness towards my traducers and that at God’s appointed time the travails would end as he was convinced that was I just a victim of political machinations”.
“He openly identified with me and provided support at a time I was considered a pariah even by those I regarded as friends but for reasons of self-preservation and determination to remain in the good books of the political leadership of the country, considered it expedient to disassociate themselves from me”.
“He demonstrated this commitment through his numerous business ventures especially in the Oil and Gas sector; undertaking developmental projects in his constituency and empowering the people.
“It is therefore not surprising that his people kept electing him overwhelmingly to the Senate even when he contested on the ticket of a fringe political party such as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) from where he recently decamped to the APC.
“Despite his enormous wealth and political attainment, he remained calm, humble and unassuming. These are rare qualities that are lacking amongst our political elites today. Nigeria has indeed lost an outstanding advocate for social Justice and economic empowerment.
I therefore join his family, the good people of Anambra South Senatorial District and millions of his well-wishers around the world in praying to the Almighty God for the repose of his gentle soul”, he prayed for the late Ubah
*I owe late Ubah eternal debt of gratitude –Omo-Agege
By Mercy Neme
The immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said he owed the late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah an eternal debt of gratitude for his sacrifice and loyalty to good friendship.
Omo-Agege, in a statement he issued in Asaba yesterday, said Ubah was a friend and confidant, whose sudden death he described as shocking and depressing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ubah, the senator representing Anambra Senatorial District, died in his hotel room in the early hours of Saturday in London.
Omo-Agege said: “Sen. Ubah was a committed patriot, greatly respected business tycoon and passionate parliamentarian.
“He handled every private endeavour and public governance duty with extraordinary dedication and resourcefulness in our nation’s collective interest.
“He was a rallying point of hope for a great many in our country; ebullient, positive-spirited and result-driven.
“Sen. Ubah selflessly chaired the campaign committee that convinced and mobilised our distinguished co-equal colleagues in the 9th Senate of the Republic to elect me as Deputy Senate President.”
He said words were, therefore, not enough to convey the exact feeling of a loss so touching and painful.
“Indeed, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah’s sudden exit from this earthly realm raises painful questions about human life and its ephemeralness.
” A great Nigerian; a good man; a beloved leader; a helper of multitudes is gone just like that! But then, we cannot question the Almighty God, who decides our earthly journey as humans.
“As the nation mourns the huge loss of this truly distinguished Nigerian, I enjoin our people to pray to God to comfort and strengthen his wife, children and his entire family,” said Omo-Agege.
*How I met Senator Ubah in the 90s -Joe Igbokwe
Mr. Joe Igbokwe has revealed on how he met Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in the 90s after he returned from democratic.
“I met Dr Ubah in the late 90s when he relocated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. He was into big Oil and Gas business in that Country, and he was a good friend President Laurent Kabila.
“When President Kabila was killed there was crisis in that country. Ifeanyi Ubah moved his huge oil business, Capital Oil & Gas to Lagos Nigeria and made new friends.
“When he landed Lagos, he began to make new friends in the Oil and Gas Industry. He told one his friends that he was looking for someone in the Media Industry that will help him to spread his tentacles in his oil business.
“I do not know who told till date to call Joe Igbokwe who is also from Nnewi.
Ifeanyi Ubah called me and introduced himself and told me that somebody just introduced my humble self to him and that he wants to see me immediately.
He dropped the address and I went to Apapa to meet him. Dr Ubah was an old boy of my School OMGS Nnewi.
“ This was how we met, and the friendship blossomed in no uncertain terms till date. I learnt a lot about his unbelievable capacity and capabilities in the business world. Three of us myself, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and HE Peter Obi became ASPAMDA Patrons till date.
“Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was a powerful business man with interest in many business areas in Nigeria and abroad.
“He was a very successful businessman and a huge philanthropist par excellence, leader of leaders, distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a powerful and proud Nnewi son. I will miss him dearly. May his gentle Soul of Ebube Chukwu Uzo Nnewi rest in perfect peace Amen. And Endless Alleluia. (NAN)
