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A LIFE WELL LIVED – PA UBANI NWOKOCHA BURIED WITH POMP, EMINENT PERSONALITIES CELEBRATE WITH BARR. MONDAY ONYEKACHI UBANI
All road led to Abia state last weekend in celebration of the life and times of Pa Ubani Egbedubi Nwokocha, the late father of respected lawyer, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, who passed away aged 101 on January 3rd, 2022. It was a carnival-like event for the entire Ikwuano community, which trooped out to welcome the hundreds of eminent personalities who visited the town from different parts of the country.
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The Christian Wake, Funeral Service, Thanksgiving Service, and Interment turned out to be a massive celebration for the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani.
He was pleasantly surprised and elated by the huge number of personalities that despised the distance and road network to celebrate with him.
In his earlier letter of condolence, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, extolled the late father, Pa Ubani Egbedubi Nwokocha, and prayed for the entire family.
The Senate Chief Whip and former governor of Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu; the Honourable Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uche Samson Ogah; the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji; Ebonyi Guber aspirant, Dr. Ifeanyi Odii; Sen. Nkechi Nwogu; and Dr. Chima Anyaso, led other politicians to the funeral ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony were clergymen, traditional rulers, and community leaders. Being a member of the bar himself, Dr. Ubani had Barr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, among other SANs and many other advocates, including Barr. Charles Ajiboye, in attendance. Members of the 4th estate and delegate members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, led by the National President and Publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper, Comrade Oki Samson, also graced the event. Popular gospel artist, Buchi, and other Christian bands were also present to thrill the audience with worship songs in honour of the Giver of Life, Almighty God.
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Being an only son, Dr. Monday Ubani could not hide his joy at God giving him life to succeed as his father. He revelled with delight, jumped for joy, sang happily, danced freely, and beamed with smiles throughout the celebration. The teeming personalities present also joined him to make merry. It was indeed a life well lived.
Speaking with members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, during the celebration, the Honourable Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Dr. Uchechukwu Samson Ogah, said that Barrister Monday Ubani is a brother to him and not just a friend. We have come of age together. The death of his father is like the death of my own father, so we are here to give our father a befitting burial. Ubani is affected directly, but we who are by his side are equally affected. Anybody consoling Ubani should also console us. We are all connected. I want to ask that, as a Christian, Ubani should always believe that on the last day he will meet again with his father, because a Christian does not die; a Christian sleeps waiting for the last day when the Lord will come. So we believe Pa Ubani has slept, waiting for the arrival of the Lord. ‘
In light of the degrading societal values, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development advised parents, “People tend to leave their responsibility to the government.” An integral part of society is family, but overtime, family values have gone. People no longer have the values that were expected. We knew the do’s and don’ts when we were growing, but it seems overfamiliarity with Western societies has made us lose values, but we still have values, and those values must be trained right from the family, church, and general society. We need to look at what we can do to improve society. We need to go back to the drawing board.
The elites in society have a role to play. In the Bible, Paul says that all things are lawful, but not all are expedient. There are things you don’t do because you know younger ones are looking at you. I believe everyone has a part to play. We need to talk to our younger ones about a better way to live in society. ‘
During his condolence visit, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, described the deceased as a man who was reputed for his philanthropy, integrity, peaceful disposition, and stellar achievements. “Pa Egbedubi Nwokocha was an honourable man; his dedication and contribution to the service of humanity was remarkable, and his meekness, calm demeanor, and benevolence have left an indelible mark in the sands of time.
I urge you to take heart and be consoled by the fact that he lived a long and productive life, “the Speaker said. He prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
Felicitating with the family, Dr. Anthony Ewelike noted, “There is nothing that anyone can desire more than to have a son that can give you a befitting burial like this at 101.” The son ensured that the father found Christ before he found death. I have known his son, Barr. Ubani, for more than 40 years.
He is my personal lawyer. He is my friend. He is like a son to me. More importantly, he is a committed, thoroughbred, born-again child of God. He is a deacon in the Assemblies of God Church, Ikeja, where I worship. We are all here, pastors and deacons. ‘
On her part, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu shared, “My advice to the family, especially Dr. Ubani, is for him to take heart.” Death is an inevitable end. Papa got up to 101. I want to age healthily and gracefully like him. I want to advise you that the thing that has always kept unity must not deviate from it and from what Papa has done. My advice to other parents is that we are the custodians of our children. We didn’t bring them to earth. The Lord asked us to take care of these children. We will give you an account. ‘
Also in attendance, the clergyman of the church that Barr. Ubani attends in Lagos, the Rev. Uche Godswill, affirmed: “Barr. Ubani is a wonderful person. He is a member, a friend, a brother, and an adviser to me. From all indications, Pa Nwokocha has lived a good life. God has blessed the family. He is the only son, but he has given birth to many sons. We pray that God will give them the grace to keep the legacy of goodness and goodwill that the father left. “
A learned colleague, Barr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, prayed for the soul of the departed, “May the blessed soul of Pa Ubani rest in peace.” He lived an exemplary life, a life that sought after God, and I think that is one of the most important aspects of the life that he lived that we should emulate.
We are not here to mourn, but to celebrate his life. We are also comforted by the Scripture that says it is pleasing to the death of the saint. We are commanded by the Scripture that we should not mourn like others. Together with Papa, we will live together in eternity. I condole with the family. There is enough comfort in the Scriptures, “he told the family.
Royal fathers present at the ceremony also prayed for the family. HRH Eze Dr. Ndimene remarked: “The loss of one person will definitely affect a community, especially the elderly.” The most important thing is peace. The family should make sure the peace is kept—the peace that their father left behind. ‘
HRH Eze Ben from the Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers commented: “Pa Ubani must have lived a good and decent life. I didn’t know him very well, but from the display here, I can say he lived a good life. My advice to the son, who is my legal adviser, is to be strong and courageous. When Moses died, Joshua was afraid, but God came to Joshua in Joshua 1:5, 7, and 9, telling him to be strong and courageous. That is my message to him. ‘
HRH Eze C. E. Ironsi, Awom II of Umuokoro noted: “I don’t know him in person, but we have come to condole with his son.” We ask the Holy Spirit to take control. HRH Eze Engr. Obiziala said: “We have come to associate with the family from under the umbrella of the Ikwuano traditional rulers. May they enjoy peace. ” Another Eze, also at the reception, added: “I have come here with my friends who know the family. May the Almighty be with his soul.
Earlier, the President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, Comrade Oki Samson, who spoke on behalf of the members of the association during the burial reception, commended Dr. Monday Ubani for his selfless service and contribution to the nation, his philanthropic gestures to the less privileged and giving his father a befitting carnival-like burial.
In his appreciation of all present at the funeral ceremony of his father, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani indicated: “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, and traditional rulers who have come to commiserate with the family. I am so grateful to God for the number of Nigerians. It was so large.
To God be the glory. It is a lesson to me that, whatever you are doing, people are watching. My desire is to leave a lasting legacy. It is a privilege to do this. I am very grateful, “he concluded.
