Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and members of the Senate on Tuesday, paid glowing tributes to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (APC – Anambra South), who died on July 26, 2024.
Shettima and Senator Ubah’s colleagues in the 10th Senate, spoke during a valedictory session organised by the red chamber to bid the Senator farewell.
The remains of the late Anambra South Senator in a casket was brought into the National Assembly Complex for the lying in state throughout the duration of the valedictory session.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) moved a motion for the Senate to receive the late Senator’s family, friends and well-wishers at the commencement of plenary.
Bamidele said, “That the Senate do now pay tributes in honour of late Senator Ubah, Patrick Ifeanyi (Anambra South) (3rd September, 1971 – 26th July, 2024).”
The wife of Ubah, her children and close relatives, friends of the deceased and leaders from Anambra including Senator Chris Ngige, attended the session.
Some members of the House of Representatives from the South-east and other states of the Federation, were also there.
Wives of Senators led by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio also attended the session.
The wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who is currently a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Regina Akume, graced the occasion.
Ubah’s seat in the chamber was decked with a Nigerian flag and flower placed on top with candles placed on his desk.
At about 12.30pm, the Senate Leader moved a motion that the Senate should suspend its relevant rules and allow strangers and relatives of late 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 Micheal 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 sent to my account a donation of N50 million and said please I do not want this donation to be publicised. Ifeanyi Ubah was a good man.
“His rebuilding capacity elevated his political journey beyond others and more established in the arena.
“I want to align myself with the earlier speaker, Osita Izunaso, who quoted John Donne, who said that ‘in mankind, 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 are planning to go on the journey. I will miss my friends. Thank you very much.”
For his part, 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 condole 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 mourning.
Barau said, “He is a big loss to us. Ifeanyi Ubah was an epitome of courage. He was always determined and focused on his goals.
“He came into the Senate in 2019 on the platform of Young Progressives Party (YPP), but before you know it, he said he was the leader of 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 need to follow-up to ensure that his children are well taken care of.”
The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro, described the death of Ubah as a sad day for the 10th Senate.
Moro said, “This is sunset at noon. Today presents us with a stark reality that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is no more alive.
“To the rest of us the activities of today will show us the vanity of life. I have lost a friend and a fantastic colleague.
“He was a consummate politician who uses 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 Uba’s honour, proceeded on a procession, filed past the casket, and resolved to send a powerful delegation made up of the Committee of the Whole.
