Shettima joins senators to pay Ifeanyi Ubah final tributes

It was a rain of tributes yesterday for the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at the Senate Chamber.

Vice President  Kashim Shettima was at the chamber to join senators in paying tributes to the Nnewi-born senator.

It was during a valedictory session organised by the Senate to bid farewell to the Anambra South Senator who died on July 26.

The casket bearing the remains of the late  Senator was brought into the 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.

Senate Leader  Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central)  upon commencement of plenary moved a motion: “That the Senate do now pay tributes in honour of the late Senator.

 Ubah’s widow,  her children and  relatives, friends of the deceased and leaders from Anambra including Senator Chris Ngige, some members of the House of Representatives from the Southeast and other states 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 were at the session.

Wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation  who is  a member of the House of Representatives,  Regina Akume, graced the occasion.

Senator Ubah’s seat in chamber was dressed with the nation’s  Flag and a flower placed on top with candles  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 Senator Ubah  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 with 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.”

Deputy President of the Senate,  Barau Jibrin, said the Chamber was in deep morning.

He said: “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.”

The Minority Leader , 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 used  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  Ali Ndume  eulogized  the dead.

The Senate observed a minute silence in Ubah’s honour and proceeded on a procession. They  filed past the casket and  resolved to send a powerful delegation made up of the Committee of the Wholeto his burial.

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, also expressed sorrow over the passing  of Senator  Ubah.

In a statement after Senate’s valedictory session in honour of Ubah, Senator Lado described him as a grassroots politician whose unwavering dedication, integrity, and firm yet frank nature earned him widespread respect among colleagues and constituents alike.