Senators on Tuesday bid farewell to their departed colleague, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, holding a valedictory session in his honour.
It was a session attended by his widow, Uchenna, his children, many associates, and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Ubah, a member of the running All Progressives Congress (APC), died on July 26 in London.
He represented Anambra-South Senatorial District and was mobilising to contest the governorship seat in Anambra State billed for next year when he died suddenly.
He will be buried on November 22 in Nnewi, his home state.
Aside from observing a minute’s silence in his honour, the Senate named a hall after Ubah to immortalise him.
At the time he died, Ubah chaired three committees of the Senate, including the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).
The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, will lead a delegation of senators to the funeral.
Senators, in paying tributes to Ubah, all acknowledged his indefatigable spirit for success in business, philanthropy, politics, and grassroots mobilisation.
Akpabio, in his opening remarks, said, “Ubah was an accomplished businessman and politician who made an impact on the lives of many people.”
He told his colleagues, “Let’s not just mourn, but also celebrate his life.”
Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, said Ubah was “a patriot Nigerian and an epitome of determination and resilience.”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole recalled how in his days as governor of Edo State, the late Ubah facilitated the supply of kerosene to the poor through his ‘Kero-50’ project, a subsidised way of making the product available to the masses.
On his part, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu simply submitted to the will of God.
“We must accept the will of God. We planned that we would follow him to Anambra Star to ensure that he was made the governor. But that was never to be,” he added in an emotion-laden tone.
Former governor of Sokoto State, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, spoke of Ubah, “It’s with a heavy heart that I speak today.
“Our paths crossed 14 years ago when he dominated the business world. His philanthropy and audacity in life are lessons for us.
“He was younger than many senators, but God takes life not in terms of age but whenever he wants.
We shall be there for the family.”
Senator Ali Ndume appealed to the political party structure in Anambra State to make a way for Ubah’s widow, Uchenna, to replace him at the Senate as another way of keeping his good work alive.
Also paying glowing tributes to Ubah was the VP, Kashim Shettima, who was Ubah’s colleague in the 9th Senate.
Shettima, who described Ubah as “a good man,” condoled with the immediate family, the Senate, and the country at large for the loss of Ubah.
“Death is an inevitable lesson hanging on everyone’s neck,” Shettima rounded off.
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