Abia holds state burial for Uma Ukpai

…As Otti challenges all to live Godly life

Abia State Government (ABSG) has held a state burial service in honour of the late Uma Ukpai, Abia-born global evangelist and God’s general, who died at the age of 80 years.

Governor Otti, while speaking during the event held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia on Thursday, March 26, 2026, challenged people to live a Godly life so that when they are no more, they would be remembered for good.

Otti noted that Ukpai did not die but only transited.

“How can he die? You can see the children that came out, 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.

He thanked God for the gift of Rev. 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 our 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.
“So Daddy, we thank you for the contribution you made to our state.

“We thank you for what you represented and we wish you well. Good night,” Otti concluded.

The governance, who further appreciated the wife of the deceased, Philomena Uma Ukpai for granting approval for the state to honour the husband, urged the bereaved family, not to weep like those without hope.

“I want to thank you Mummy (Ukpai) for allowing us, give honour to whom honour is due.

And to the family of the bereaved. You can weep, but not like the unbelievers, because he knows where he is headed,” Otti admonished

He also said: “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 doubts 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 that God gave us,” said Otti.

Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, who was represented by Akon Eyakanyi, his deputy, in his speech, described Uma Ukpai as a visioner.

Governor Eno, who noted that the deceased fought a good fight of faith, and finished well, encouraged Abians, Akwa Ibomites and all Nigerians to take heart, as he lived a godly life worthy of emulation.

In his tribute, Mosy Madugba, national secretary of PFN Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who spoke behalf of PFN, noted that it is good to die the death of a righteous man, described Ukpai as a global voice and unifier of ministers of the gospel.

He noted that this is the first time the PFN is placing her flag on the coffin of anybody in Nigeria, and emphasised that his legacy transcends generations, adding that he lived a good life and yielded himself to God, who used him to affect lives positively.

Wale Oke, bishop and the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, in his sermon stressed the need for all to come to Jesus, insisting that it is only giving one’s life to Christ that would make one to die a righteous death.

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, Uma Ukpai taught people how to die a death of the righteous, through preaching the gospel of grace as against religiosity.

He noted that Uma Ukpai did not serve money nor corrupt the gospel but lived a life of holiness, hence, God made his death glorious. He added that Uma Ukpai followed God in deed and in preaching.

Chidi Uma Ukpai, first son of Rev. Uma Ukpai, in his vote of thanks behalf of the family, thanked Governor Alex Otti and all individuals who attended the state burial for identifying with them in their time of challenges.

He assured that the family was standing on the rock, which their father established for them, adding that they would follow it.

The state burial service, attracted many dignitaries including Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and his wife; Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party; deputy governors, wife of the former governor of Edo State, Bassey Obaseke; members of the National Assembly, members of Abia and other State Houses of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, John Azuta, president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, many servants of God, traditional rulers led by Eze Linus Nto Mbah, and people from all walks of life.