By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and members of the Senate yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (APC- Anambra South), who died on July 26, 2024.
Shettima and Ubah’s colleagues in the 10th Senate spoke during a valedictory session organized by the red chamber to bid the Senator farewell.
The remains of the late Anambra South Senator in a casket were brought into the National Assembly Complex for lying in state throughout the Senate’s valedictory session.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC—Ekiti Central), moved that the Senate receive the late Senator’s family, friends, and well-wishers at the commencement of the plenary.
Bamidele said, “That the Senate do now pay tributes in honour of late Senator Ubah, Patrick Ifeanyi (Anambra South) (September 3, 1971 to July 26, 2024).”
The session was attended by Ubah’s wife, her children and close relatives, friends of the deceased, and leaders from Anambra, including Senator Chris Ngige.
Some members of the House of Representatives from the South East and other federation states were also there.
The wives of Senators led by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Nnoma Akpabio, also attended the session.
Regina Akume, the wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and currently a member of the House of Representatives, graced the occasion.
Ubah’s seat in the chamber was decked with a Nigerian Flag, flowers on top, and candles on his desk.
At about 12.30pm, the Senate Leader moved a motion that the Senate suspend its relevant rules and allow strangers, relatives of Senator Ubah, and strangers to be admitted into the chambers.
Shettima, in his eulogy, said, “The last time I met my brother, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, was when you (Akpabio) came with him along with the Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and the beautiful Hadiza Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to condole me over the loss of my mother-in-law.
“The youngest member of the ninth Senate was also one of its brightest stars. His age belied his political dexterity and grassroots affiliation. His generosity knows no bounds. There was a time when the Boko Haram viciously attacked a community in Borno state.
“Senator Ifeanyi Ubah reached out to me. He donated N50m to my account and said, “Please, I do not want this donation publicised. “ Ifeanyi Ubah was a good man.
“His rebuilding capacity elevated his political journey beyond others and became more established in the arena. I want to align myself with the earlier speaker, Osita Izunaso, who quoted John Donne, who said,
‘In humanity, never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.’
“Death is an inevitable destiny that is hanging on everyone’s neck. We are all travellers on our journeys home. From where? From God to God.
“My condolences to his family, friends, and political associates. Most especially to you, good folks, who plan to go on the journey? I will miss my friends. Thank you very much.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said, “We dedicate this day to his (Ubah) memory and the services he rendered to this great country. We mourn the death of one of the most erudite parliamentarians in Nigeria.
“He was a member of APC. So, I sympathize with the APC and the APC’s family in the Senate. He was an accomplished businessman. His death has numbed all of us into political turmoil.
“He was a champion of the alleviation of the sufferings of others. Let us not just mourn; let us celebrate his life and times. He believed in and celebrated friendship.”
On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the chamber was in deep morning.
Barau said, “He is a significant loss to us. Ifeanyi Ubah was the epitome of courage. He was always determined and focused on his goals. He came into the Senate in 2019 on the Young Progressives Party (YPP) platform, but before you know it, he said he was the leader of the YPP caucus in the Senate.
“He became a power broker in the Senate. He spent his life for his people. A philanthropist to the core. We have lost a brother and a friend. We must follow up to ensure his children are well cared for.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, described Ubah’s death as a sad day for the 10th Senate.
Moro said, “This is sunset at noon. Today presents us with the stark reality that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is no longer alive. To the rest of us, today’s activities will show us the vanity of life. I have lost a friend and a fantastic colleague. He was a consummate politician who used both known and unknown instruments to advance his political career.”
Senators Tokunbo Abiru, Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu, Osita Ngwu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sani Musa, Osita Izunaso, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Yahaya Abdullahi and Senator Ali Ndume all contributed during the session.
The Senate observed a minute silence in Ubah’s honour, proceeded on a procession, filed past the casket, and resolved to send a powerful delegation of the Committee of the Whole.
