Immediate elder sister of late Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Mrs. Fidelia Chigbogu (née Ubah) with her christian brethren from WCCRM, Festac Parish Commendation Service in his honour at Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos State.
From John Silas, Cyriacus Nnaji and Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Nigerians all across the globe in their numbers gathered at the Harbor Point, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in what is supposed to be the Service of Songs and Night of Tributes for the man who came, who saw and who conquered in all the spheres of human endeavors, the late Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Though a night affair yet thousands of party leaders, business moguls, sports enthusiasts gathered to say what they knew about the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial zone in the red chamber, the upper legislative House of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigerians, each took time to say what Ifeanyi Ubah represented in their lives. As a businessman, he was the Founder and Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, housing close to 60% of tank farms in Nigeria, his footprint in the commercial sector was indelible, providing employment to millions of Nigerians and households. In politics, the late accomplished Senator was a success story, right from the time he delved into politics contesting the governorship of Anambra under the labour party. Though he did not win, the contest, his witnessed a difference in electioneering campaign, he birthed innovation and fanfare and that has been his trademark in politicking in Nigeria.
Later he contested the senatorial seat under an unknown party, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) a party he nurtured to national limelight and served twice as the senator of that representing Anambra South, in fact he died in active service as a senator.
Though Ubah later cross-carpeted to join the ruling all progressives party, that milestone and commendable step was indeed designed to take his senatorial zone to the national grid where it became easy to be able to attract good things for his people.
As a sports lover, he established the FC Ifeanyi Ubah which has made too much impact in the football arena of the country. On several occasions, Ubah took the youth of Nigerians irrespective of tribe to England to watch Premiership in an all-expenses paid trip. He was quite phenomenal and incomparable, he was the best while he was still alive.
For the former President, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and now the Executive Committee member of CAF, and Council member of FIFA, Amaju Pinnick, he said “Those who did that documentary on Ifeanyi Ubah, you did an excellent job, because that is what Ifeanyi Ubah personified. He came and bestowed the football firmament like a colossus, he conquered where nobody cares to go to, whatever he wanted to do, he made sure he did it to get result.”
Joseph Orji, Executive Director, Capital Oil & Gas said “I feel so bad, because, yes, everybody can die, everybody must die, but his death was so sudden, we did not expect it, because it was not that he was seriously sick or that but all of a sudden we heard that he is dead, so I feel pain, but at same time I give glory to God because, when he was alive he achieved a lot of things. At a young age of 52 he has achieved a lot in oil and gas, as a politician, as a businessman, he has achieved a lot.”
Answering question on if there is anybody in the family fitting into his shoe for now, Orji said it is difficult to see anybody in the family doing that for now. “I don’t see because I know that the children are still very very young, but I believe in future, somebody from that family because it runs in the blood of the family, the children will fit the shoe, but not in the recent time.”
Speaking on his plan for Capital Oil and Gas and even the Authority Newspaper, he said “Yes there are plans for all these things because in life you continue pushing, you don’t relent, you don’t lose hope. We believe that the capital oil and gas and authority newspaper and some other companies will still come up. I believe that.”
On his advice to the family, “What I want to say to the family especially the wife who is now bearing the whole load is she has to be calm, put God first, God will never forsake them, and God will never forsake the family, I pray she has that heart to carry everybody along. I know that it is not easy but I know also that God almighty will see them through.”
Senator Sunday Marshall Katung from Kaduna State speaking on behalf of other senators said, “Ifeanyi Ubah was somebody who believed so much in people, empowering his constituency, to the extent I saw him cry twice because of things he wanted to present on behalf of his people in the Senate, that shows the kind of person that he was.
“To the family I want them to take solace in the fact that he is somebody that is celebrated all over because of the legacies that he left behind, so it is not a time for mourning, but time for celebration. I once asked a priest why do good people die? He answered that because God take them before they get corrupted by the things of the world. So I believe that is why God took Ifeanyi Ubah so that he is not corrupted by the things of this world.”
He spoke also on the activities of the late Senator in the Senate. He said that he would be missed greatly. “Definitely anybody who has been part of that family will feel it today, not a physical separation but a permanent separation sort of, I mean, for now we are definitely going to miss him, when Ifeanyi Ubah was in the Senate, you know that he is there, he makes sure he announced his entrance with so much fanfare, and the Senate President would always oblige him once he was in the Senate, he was that kind of person.”
Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, former Director General, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) also paid glowing tribute to the late Senator. “What I can say, when the world sees resourcefulness, loyalty to worthy causes, consistently in your values, the world will acknowledge it, and that is what has just happened today. The world is here to celebrate a man, who rose from the lowest rung of the ladder to the peak by dint of hard work, tenacity courage, innovation, special kind of optimism, absolute faith in anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to do it. That is one thing the world is celebrating about the short life of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“The other one is loyalty to friendship, no matter what anybody can say about Ifeanyi, he is loyal to his friends, he can go to any length to support them, to stand by them, and that is what is not common in our landscape. He was also a philanthropist, he supported the poor, the underprivileged, he believed that indeed life should be impactful, life is not meant for you live for yourself alone, but particularly to be a ray of light in his native Nnewi, and indeed across the country. The other thing you cannot take away from Ifeanyi is that he was a very good family man, you listened to the wife and children, a consistent theme of their conversation, it is like Ifeanyi had voluminous time for them, he listened to them, he shared moment of joy with them, he shared moment of challenges with them, and that is the vintage Ifeanyi, s man who care about others, a man who is loyal to friendship, a man who is resourceful, a man who has I can do spirit,” Peterside stated.
Then 15th of November, 2024 was the Commendation Service at the Cathiloc Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoy, Lagos State still in honour of this finest homo sapiens that came out of the east of the Niger.
The Reverend Priest, Fr. Sam Emenogor, while delivering his sermon Cleric tasked leaders on true greatness, saying that Senator Ubah touched many hearts. He said that death is not the end of life. “Let us remember that death is not the end, it is a transition. Our faith tells us that he has not really left us; he has passed into eternity, where pain and suffering have no place; where God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes – Rev. 21:4
“We ask why was he taken from us? These are difficult questions. As humans we seek answers about those things beyond our understanding. Instead of seeking answers, we are called to trust in God’s divine planning; to believe that our senator is now in a place of peace to receive the reward that God has kept for him,” he stated.
Then Reverend Emenogor turned to the wife of the late Senator and said, “Your husband and father was not only a leader in this nation, but a pillar of strength and kindness to those closest to him. I will urge you to find peace even in the face of this physical separation.
“You were with him in his journey, supported him through all his trials and triumphs for so many years. Be consoled that your husband has gone to a better place where there will be no weeping. On a lighter note, also be consoled that that your husband will no longer experience the rigours of Nigerian gridlock and insecurity. He has gone to a place of rest,” he stated.
To the children, he admonished that they take pride in the legacies of their father. “Your father has left behind legacies. He was such an example of service, compassion and resilience. To the dignitaries and leaders here, today we mourn not only a senator but a true servant of the people; a man who worked tirelessly to uplift his community and improve the lives of others. He believed in a better Nigeria, a united Nigeria, and staked his life in service of that dream. He gave his life to a cause greater than himself. He fought for a Nigeria with greater access to quality education; where healthcare is not a privilege, but a right. He fought for a Nigeria where justice and peace will reign.
“As we bid farewell to him, let us also reflect on our own lives. Are we using our time, resources and positions to serve others and build a better future for our children? Our beloved friend taught us that true greatness lies not in the power we hold but in the love we give, the hope we bring, and the difference we make in the lives of others.
Though he is gone from our sights, he lives in the hope that death is not the end of life but a doorway to an everlasting peace.
“And so, while we mourn today, we also hold on to hope; hope that we will see him again, and that his spirit will live on in us. As we honour his legacies, so let us commit to living lives of purpose and peace, and let us remember that true hope is with God, who awaits us with open arms in the eternal peace of his kingdom,” Father Emenogor admonished.
Some of the dignitaries and crème de la crème that graced the commendation service include the Ogun State Governor, Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho (Rtd), Chief Clement Ibeto, Chairman of Coscaris Group, Cosmas Mmaduka, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung from Kaduna State and other well-meaning individuals, captains of industry, business mogul, politicians and oil tycoons were present.
Pix: Ifeanyi Ubah.
