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The Senate, on Tuesday at plenary, paid glowing tribute to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away on July 26.
Ubah, born on September 3, 1971, represented Anambra South Senatorial District in the 9th and 10th Senate.
Until his death, Ubah was a member of the All Progressives Congress and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream.
The casket bearing the remains of the senator lay in state at the foyer of the White House wing, directly in front of the Senate Chamber.
The day’s order paper featured only one item: “Valedictory Session.”
In a show of respect, Senate President Godswill Akpabio donned traditional Isi-Enyi attire paired with a matching red cap and dark sunglasses. Similarly, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, wore Isi-Agwu attire.
Ubah’s seat in the chamber was adorned with flowers and draped in a cloth painted in the colours of the Nigerian flag.
The session was opened to non-senators, allowing dignitaries and other invited guests to pay their respects.
Among those in attendance were Vice-President Kashim Shettima, former Anambra State Governor Senator Chris Ngige, the widow of the deceased, Uchenna Ubah, and former Anambra Central Senator Uche Ekwunife.
The wives of presiding and principal Senate officers were also present, including Ekaette Akpabio, wife of the Senate President; Hajiya Jibrin Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President; and Oluyemisi Bamidele, wife of the Senate Leader, among others.
Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, led a delegation of House leaders in a solemn procession around the late senator’s casket.
The atmosphere was somber as the Senate paid its final tributes to the late senator, whose contributions to the legislative body were celebrated during the session.
The Vice President, 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.”
Shettima added, “His generosity knows no bounds. There was a time when Boko Haram viciously attacked a community in Borno state.
“Senator Ifeanyi Ubah reached out to me. He sent N50 million to my account 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.”
He added, “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 travellers 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.”
Akpabio, in his statement, 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 parliamentarians in Nigeria.
“He was a member of APC. So, I condole with the APC and the APC’s family in the Senate.”
He added, “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 mourning.
“He is a big loss to us. Ifeanyi Ubah was the epitome of courage. He was always determined and focused on his goals.
“He came into the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the Young Progressives Party, but before you knew it, he said he was the leader of the 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 added.
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 the stark reality that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is no longer 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 consummate politician who used both known and unknown instruments to advance his political career.”
Ndume, in his tribute, pleaded with the Senate to allow Ubah’s wife to replace him as a lawmaker.
He said, “His wife, fortunately, is around 50 years old and has been a wonderful support system to him.
“I appeal to you, Mr. President, and my distinguished colleagues to support the idea of his family having a spiritual representative here in this chamber.
“This will ensure continuity and honour for the Anambra South Senatorial District.”
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 Senator Ali Ndume all contributed during the debate.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence in Ubah’s honour, proceeded on a procession, and filed past the casket. The Senate resolved to send a powerful delegation made up of the Committee of the Whole.
