The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has described Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai as a gift not just to Abia State, but to Nigeria and the whole world.
The governor also challenged people, especially men of God, to live good lives so that, when they are no more, they will be remembered for good.
Otti made the call on Thursday during the Abia State Government (ABSG) state burial service in honour of the late Abia-born global evangelist and “God’s General,” Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, who died at the age of 80.
Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Dr. Alex Otti noted that Pa Uma Ukpai did not die but only transited.
“How can he die? You can see the children who 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,” Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive 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 gift of Papa Uma Ukpai to our generation, to our dear state, to 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,” Otti added.
He further appreciated the wife of the deceased, Pastor Mrs. Philomena Uma Ukpai, for granting approval for the state to honour her husband, urging the bereaved family not to weep like those without hope.
“And to the bereaved family: you can weep, but not like unbelievers, because he knows where he is headed.
“If you weep so much, maybe you are weeping for yourself. But for him, it is clear where he is headed. On that resurrection morning, I have no doubt that our Daddy and all those who died in the Lord will wake up. They will resurrect, and we will meet with them again. That is the promise God gave us,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, described Rev. Uma Ukpai as a visionary, who fought a good fight of faith and finished well, encouraging Abians, Akwa Ibomites, and all Nigerians to take heart, as he lived a good life worthy of emulation.
In his tribute, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Prof. Mosy Madugba, who spoke on behalf of the PFN, noted that it is good to die the death of a righteous man and described Rev. Ukpai as a global voice and a unifier of ministers of the gospel.
He noted that this is the first time the PFN has placed its flag on the coffin of anyone in Nigeria.
According to him, the late cleric’s legacy transcends generations, adding that he lived a good life and yielded himself to God, who used him to positively impact lives.
Earlier in his sermon, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, stressed the need for all to come to Jesus, insisting that only by giving one’s life to Christ can one die a righteous death.
Bishop Oke, who took his text from Numbers 23:10 and spoke on the topic, “Let Me Die the Death of the Righteous,” said that while alive, Rev. Uma Ukpai taught people how to die the death of the righteous by preaching the gospel of grace rather than religiosity.
He noted that Rev. Uma Ukpai neither served money nor corrupted the gospel but lived a life of holiness; hence, God made his death glorious.
He added that Rev. Uma Ukpai followed God both in deed and in preaching.
In a vote of thanks, the first son of Rev. Uma Ukpai, Dr. Chidi Uma, on behalf of the family, thanked the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and all individuals who attended the state burial for identifying with them in their time of challenge.
He assured the family that they are standing on the foundation their father established for them, adding that they would continue in it.
The state burial service, which 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, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, as well as many clergy, traditional rulers led by Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mbah, and people from all walks of life, featured choir renditions and prayers for the family.
