The apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom State, has commiserated with the wife and children of the late renowned Evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai, over his death.
It would be recalled that the clergyman “passed onto glory” on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.
The group, led by its president, Mazi Kayceey Chidiadi, expressed sadness over the demise of the fiery preacher but took solace in his impactful decades of preaching the gospel and touching many lives globally.
The president, who recalled his various wise counsel and advice towards ensuring unity and peace of the Igbos living in the state, further described his demise as the fall of “a great Iroko tree”.
He added, “We, his brothers and kinsmen, regret the passage of our grand patron and brother. His advice and wise counsel have made it possible to achieve peace and reconciliation during our challenges. We were even looking forward to having him with us during our upcoming Igbo Unity Day in November before his demise.”
He further highlighted that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom State will fully participate in the funeral obsequies of the departed cleric, stressing that he will be given his due honour by Igbos in the state.
The president urges the family to take heart and solace in his tremendous work in the Lord’s vineyard, stressing that he dedicated all his life to the service of God and mankind.
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He averred, “Mama, please, you have to take heart. You have to be strong; you are in the ministry and have consoled and prayed for many people who are facing challenges and difficult times. May Almighty God strengthen you and your family. We will give all necessary support to ensure a befitting funeral for our father and brother.”
Addressing the Ohanaeze delegation, the wife of the late evangelist, Pastor Mrs Philomena Uma Ukpai, said she lived together in marriage with the late husband for over 43 years, stressing that their lives have been of total service to God at all times.
She explained that the family’s choice to settle in Akwa Ibom and do the work of God was divine, as all their desires were taken care of by God, stressing that she personally attained the height of her chosen career here despite being a non-indigene.
“I feel good that you are here to identify with us over the demise of our father, and I am proud to say that with your backing, we will stand firm throughout the funeral obsequies and beyond. We will ensure you are fully incorporated in the planning committee, as it will be all-encompassing owing to the personality of our late father,” she told the delegation.
Also addressing the Ohanaeze delegation, the first son, Mr Chidi Uma Ukpai, expressed gratitude to Ohanaeze Ndigbo for identifying with the family in trying times.
He eulogised his father’s well-spent life in servicethe of God and humanity, adding that even in death, his father’s aura has positively touched people.
“He intoned, “I visited the mortuary recently to see my father’s corpse, and the morticians told me that the ambience there changed with a divine aura since his body was brought to the mortuary.
