News Editor
By Olu Balogun
It was a day of tributes in the Senate on Tuesday for late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and many lawmakers relived good deeds of the deceased during a valedictory session in the Red Chamber.
The late Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC in the Senate, died on July 26 this year while on a holiday in London.
They all paid glowing tributes to the memory of the deceased, who served as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), before his death.
The casket bearing the remains of the late Anambra South Senator was brought into foyer of the White House Wing of the National Assembly Complex where it laid in state throughout the duration of the Senate’s valedictory session.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) upon commencement of plenary moved a motion: “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, some members of the House of Representatives from the South East and other states of the Federation, attended the session.
The wives of Senators including Mrs Barau, Mrs Opeyemi Bamidele and wives of Principal Officers led by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Nnoma Akpabio also attended the session.
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.
Senator Ubah’s seat in chamber was decked with a Nigerian Flag and flower placed on top with candles placed on his desk.
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 travelers 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.”
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 parliamentarian 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 morning.
“He is a big loss to us. Ifeanyi Ubah was an epitome of courage. He was always determined and focussed 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”, he said .
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 consumate 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, Stani Musa, Osita Izunaso, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Yahaya Abdullahi and Senator Ali Ndume all contributed during the debate.
The Senate observed a minute silence in Ubah’s honour, proceeded on a procession and filed past the casket, resolved to send a powerful delegation made up of the Committee of the Whole.
