HE WAS A GIFT TO OUR STATE” – AKWA IBOM GOV EULOGISES UMA UKPAI AT NIGHT OF TRIBUTES

“HE WAS A GIFT TO OUR STATE” – AKWA IBOM GOV EULOGISES UMA UKPAI AT NIGHT OF TRIBUTES

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the late Rev. Uma Ukpai was a gift to the State and humanity.

The Governor stated this on Friday March 20, 2026 at the Night of Songs and Tributes organized by the State government as part of the home – going ceremonies in honour of the late Rev. Ukpai held at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo.

He described the deceased as an embodiment of morality who used his unfettered access to leaders across the globe to advance causes that helped the poor and the downtrodden.

Governor Eno commended the late Rev. Ukpai for his role as a mentor, and spiritual leader whose contributions helped define the spiritual soul of the State.

He appreciated him for founding the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association with headquarters in Uyo, from where he propagated the gospel around the world, with passion, power and prophetic insight, leading multitudes to Christ, as well as raising a generation of evangelists across the globe.

“For over six decades, he defined the spiritual soul of our dear State. Even though he was from our neighbouring Abia State, the world knew him through his Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, headquartered here in Uyo.

“Uyo was his home, Uyo was his base and Uyo had all of the blessings, and he was a gift to us so we celebrate him tonight.

“He consistently prayed for the peace and progress of this State and offered wise counsel that strengthened our shared pursuit of sustainable growth and spiritual renewal,” he said.

Governor Eno acknowledged the late former National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, as one of the strong supporters of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, highlighting numerous achievements of the agenda for the benefits of the State.

He said that within the last two and a half years, his administration has focused on creating a tourism hub – Medical tourism hub, and an aviation tourism hub – for the State, adding that the the rural communities were also receiving adequate attention with all the 368 ward having the footprints of government.

The Governor noted that the government was also building youths friendly centers where the youths can congregate to learn for self development, while the women were formed into cooperative societies where funds will be injected to enable them start up businesses for self reliance.

He said these were some of the desires of the late Rev. Ukpai, and assured that he would never let him and the church down.

Governor Eno who said the deceased had loved him personally, particularly consoled the wife, Dr. Philomena and family, assuring of the State’s commitment to supporting them in advancing the dreams of the deceased cleric.

“For us here in Akwa Ibom State, there will never be good byes for our dear father and Christian General, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai,” he said.

Preaching on the topic, “Across the Bridge” Dr. Emmanuel Kure of the Throne Room Ministry who took his message from Mark 16:6,  described the late Rev. Ukpai as a great spiritual intercessor, a hero of faith, and an exceptional embodiment of power whose presence commanded audacity and authority of the Holy spirit.

The Cleric noted that his death has quickened the spiritual growth of young preachers who must rise up and fill the vacuum created by his death.

Earlier in his tribute, the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, acknowledged Late Rev. Ukpai as one of the founding fathers of PFN, an organisation whose goal is to unite all pentecostal denominations in Nigeria.

He thanked God for His grace in the late Reverend’s life and described him as a passionate leader, a man of miracles, signs and wonders, and called on Christians to emulate him, and continue to encourage, pray for his family to sustain his legacies.

Speaking on behalf of Akwa Ibom stakeholders, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, described late Rev. Ukpai as a man of truth, honour, courage, passion and conviction, who believed in mentoring leaders to boost human capital development in the State.

Chief Assam highlighted his mentorship achievements from the early days at the Scripture Union to the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association which, according to him, has helped in producing quality leaders in the State.

He noted that sparing a night to honour him was a mark of gratitude and also thanked God for the gift of Rev. Ukpai whom he said was an irreplaceable asset to the State.