Thousands in Nnewi, on Friday, 22nd, lamented on the demise of Late Senator Patrick Ifeanyichukwu Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District. A death many understood as a blow to their livelihood.
Also in attendance were family members, political associates, church and circular leadership, all gathered at the Umuanuka – Otolo, Nnewi country home to pay last respect to ate Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah.
The executive governor of Anambra state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who described Ubah’s death as fall of an iroko, consoled the late senator’s family, kinsmen, Anambra state, and the entire Igbo people.
Soludo added, “But the greatest tribute to pay Senator Ubah is not to give him bogus funeral, but to live out the true essence of his life. His family and all of us, who are his associates should do everything we can to continue and accomplish what Senator Ifeanyi Ubah lived for.”
Former governor of Anambra state, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, described Senator Ubah as one who devouted his life, time and resources in the service of God and humanity.
Obi, who expressed sadness at Ubah’s death at relatively young age, prayed God to console his immediate family, and entire Nnewi people.
“Death is what will happen to all of us when we least expect. We, therefore, have the duty to live everyday in the way that pleases God; not ourselves,” Obi added.
Former national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and Senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, described Ubah as a man of the people, who had endeared himself to Anambra people in a myraid of ways.
Umeh, who described death as an inevitable end of man, advised that the ultimate sacrifice the family, friends and associates of the late senator should do at the moment is to pray continually for peaceful repose of his soul, and for the consolation of his family.
The Senator representing Anambra North senatorial district at the tenth Senate, Dr. Tony Nwoye, described late Senator Ubah as a kind of sage that comes into existence once in a generation.
“Ifeanyi Ubah is a kind of sage that comes rarely into the human race. He lived a life of service and selflessness. His contributions to humanity speaks volumes. His death is a tragedy to all of us. We’ll miss him; but we’re consoled that God’s wish will always prevail,” Senator Nwoye, former state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra state, said.
Also speaking, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and a former senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. (Mrs) Uche Ekwunife, said Ubah,
the late senator, at a very young age, achieved what a 200 year-old man would not achieve in lifetime.
“Ifeanyi Ubah is not an ordinary human being. At 52, he has achieved what many cannot achieve, even if they had the grace to live for 200 years. If tears, yearlings and mourning can bring him back to live, we can do everything possible to bring him back,” Ekwunife said.
Chieftain of Labour Party (LP) Chief George Moghalu, who was a former National Auditor of the APC, said that death of Senator Ubah is a very pain to Nigeria.
According to Moghalu, Ubah was an accomplished business mogul, man of the people and philanthropic of note.
A business associate of Senator Ubah, Akai Egwuonwu, also described Ubah’s death as a massive loss.
Close ally, High Chief Michael Onuorah (Ide Nwangene) said that Sen Ubah while he was alive was one of his closest friends. “it’s someone I have known over the years and we have fun memories together, it was a sad experience loosing him. He stood tall and ensured alot of people were happy. I advice that his memories will not be forgotten. They should find solace on his soul that he lived a prosperous life.
In his homily during a requiem Mass held at St. Peter Claver’s Catholic Church, Umuanuka-Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra state, the bishop of Ekwulobia diocese, His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, described dead as inevitable to mankind. He reminded the faithful that as they gathered to mourn Senator Ubah, they should also reflect on their own time of death, and should therefore, be conscious of the way they live their lives.
“As we all gather to behold the lifeless body of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, this reminds us of the vanity of life here, and the need for us to prepare always for the life to come,” Cardinal Okpaleke admonished.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of Ubah family, Ifeanyi Ubah (jnr) thanked everyone, who found time be with them at the time of mourning. Ubah also urged the church to always pray for peaceful repose of Senator Ubah, and for the consolation of his immediate family.
Present at the funeral are friends and family members of Senator Ubah, representatives of Anambra state government, members of the national assembly, representatives of religious, traditional and traditional institutions, among others.
