By Abiola Olawale
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Senator Orji Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State in the Senate, Former Senator representing Kaduna North, Shehu Sani and Former Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Ben Murray-Bruce, among several other Nigerians have expressed their sadness over the sudden death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the lawmaker representing Anambra South senatorial district in the Senate.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, died in London, the United Kingdom, on Saturday.
Reacting, Obi, who took to his official X handle, said Ubah’s death was a rude shock.
He tweeted: “I received a rude shock this morning, the news of the death of my dear younger brother, and Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Senator Ubah personally welcomed me at the burial and requested that I visit his house for lunch, to which I pleaded with him to reschedule to another date as I already had several engagements for the day.
“During our discussions on the state of the nation, he told me that he now understands my commitment to the progress of humanity and that he aligns with it.
“He assured me that, despite our party differences, we would work together as a family, in serving our people.
“Similarly, despite party differences, I commended him for his contributions to a better humanity through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, via which he cared for the less privileged in society, by investing in their education and health and pulling people out of poverty. I urged him to continue in that direction.
“May God Almighty who called him home, at this time, forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, the entire Anambra South Senatorial District, Anambra State, Nigeria, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss.
“God Almighty protect and bless his family always.”
Also, Orji Uzor Kalu, Senate Committee Chairman on Privatization and Mobilization, described the demise of Ubah as a loss to Nigeria as a whole.
Kalu, also a former Abia State governor described Ubah as a patriotic and detribalized Nigerian with a passion for a prosperous and better Nigeria.
He said: “My heart goes out to Ubah’s family, ndi Nnewi, Anambra South constituents, the good people of Anambra state, the government of Anambra state and my colleagues in the Senate for the loss of our dearest friend and brother, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“It’s a lot to deal with the shock of the news and the pain of the loss. His death is a very big loss to Nigeria.
“The deceased played various roles in nation-building as a businessman, philanthropist, politician, and publisher. The late senator was dogged, ebullient, humble, consistent and full of energy.
“His invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria are worthy of commendation and emulation. The late business mogul, no doubt, will forever be remembered for his good legacies.”
Similarly, Sani, who posted on his official X handle, described Ubah as an accomplished businessman and an outstanding promoter of football in the country.
He wrote: “I received the sad news of the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South. The nation has lost a great politician, an accomplished businessman and an outstanding promoter of Football. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.”
Also, in an X post, Murray-Bruce said Ubah’s contributions to the nation’s oil sector and public service will also be remembered.
The former lawmaker also extended his deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the late Anambra senator.
He tweeted: “With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. His contributions to our nation, both in the oil sector and public service, will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find strength during this difficult time.”
The New Diplomat reports that Ubah passed away at the age of 52 years.
He died in London, United Kingdom where he was said to have gone for a medical operation.
He would have been 53 on September 3. Ubah was a Nigerian Politician, entrepreneur and businessman who served as the CEO of Capital Oil (CCO), which he founded in 2001.
In 2014, Ubah lost at the 2014 Anambra gubernatorial election under the platform of the Labour Party.
On 24 February 2019, he was declared the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial elections under the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) but defected to the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).
He was married to Uchenna, a Business Administration graduate from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, with whom he had 5 children. He also ran a foundation which is named after himself; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
