DR. MONDAY UBANI: ‘MY FATHER LOST HIS JOB, HOME IN JUST DAY FOR MY SAKE’; EXPRESSES APPRECIATION TO NIGERIANS FOR CELEBRATING LATE DAD
Popular human rights lawyer, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani has expressed his appreciation to Nigerians for celebrating with him as he buried his late father, Pa Ubani Egbedubi Nwokocha, last weekend.
He thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for his letter of condolence. He also praised political leaders, technocrats, royal fathers, lawyers, journalists, and other Nigerians who were physically present in Umuosoko, Awomukwu, Ikwuano LGA of Abia state during the funeral activities.
In attendance were the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Samson Ogah; member of National Assembly, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu; Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji; Ebonyi Guber aspirant, Chief Ifeanyi Odii among others.
Also present at the ceremony were a great number of SANs including Barr. Yakubu C. Mekeo SAN and other advocates like Barr. Charles Ajiboye. Members of the 4th estate also graced the occasion as led by the Publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper and President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Mr. Oki Samson.
Many clergymen, traditional rulers, and community leaders were present.
Expressing his hearfelt gratitude, the Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani said: ‘I must tell you that I am amazed by the large turnout of Nigerians from all walks of life. We have politicians, religious leaders, lawyers, royal fathers, who have come to commiserate with me. I am so grateful to God for the number of Nigerians, it was so big. To God be the glory. It is a lesson to me that whatever you are doing, people are watching because it will be retained as your legacy when you are gone. My desire is to leave a lasting and good legacy so that people would have testimonies about met that are positive.’
‘I did not know people were taking note of what my father was doing. He was very caring and loving not wanting anyone to suffer. It is a nature that I admire and want to follow. It is important that we maintain cordial relationship where we work and live.’
Remininscing on his father’s personality who passed at 101, Dr. Monday Ubani told National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, ‘My father can do anything. My father has a workshop where he practices all manner of trades. If you want to annoy him, go and throw any of the instruments which he works with away.
He doesn’t like anyone tampering with his tools. Monday to Friday is work, Saturday is to do all other works as a carpenter, TV and radio repairer, electrician and that is very good of him. In his lowest state, he was able to help people and that is a good character.’
‘There are many things that my father has taught me while living with him which has affected how I do what I do, my character traits both physical and spiritual. The character of courage, culture of philanthropy, kindness, and good heart is something that flows from whoever gives birth to you.’
‘A memorable day with my father is when I came to Lagos. What he paid was five naira. I can’t forget that day. I didn’t know that the white man he lives with doesn’t like you bringing someone into his house. It was during the holiday. He was supposed to resume on Wednesday, the white man sacked him on Thursday. So my father lost his job when he brought me to Lagos. He lost where he lived when he brought me to Lagos. That was how we relocated to Opebi before we now got our house. I lived all of my life in Opebi. There is a landlord who is around that came from Opebi.’
