Ruth Semilore
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and others have mourned the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who escaped an assassination attempt in Anambra but died in London.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, died in a hotel in London, the United Kingdom, on Saturday.
The late lawmaker, who was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, died at the age of 52.
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In a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday, Tinubu extended his condolences to the family and friends of the late Senator.
The President also commiserated with the National Assembly and the government and people of Anambra State over Ubah’s death.
“The President also prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed lawmaker, as well as for strength and comfort to his family,” the statement added.
Similarly, Peter Obi, who hails from the same state as the late senator, took to X on Saturday to mourn Mr Ubah’s passing.
He wrote:
“I was deeply shocked this morning to learn of the death of my dear younger brother and Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah.
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“We were together on July 12 at the burial of Chief Pius Onwuzo in Nnewi, Anambra State. May God Almighty, who has called him home, forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest. May He also grant his family, Anambra South Senatorial District, Anambra State, Nigeria, and all of us the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss. May God Almighty continue to protect and bless his family.”
Former senators, Ben Murray-Bruce and Shehu Sani also issued statements mourning Mr. Ubah.
Bruce wrote,
“With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. His contributions to our nation, both in the oil sector and public service, will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find strength during this difficult time.”
Sani wrote,
“I received the sad news of the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South. The nation has lost a great politician, an accomplished businessman, and an outstanding promoter of football. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.”
The Senate has also expressed sadness over the death of the Anambra senator.
Until his death, Mr Ubah was the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Affairs.
Spokesperson of the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement to announce death of the lawmaker, commiserated with the Anambra State Government and families of the deceased lawmaker over the incident.
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Mr Adaramodu described the deceased senator as an exemplary leader, a committed public servant and an indefatigable advocate for his constituents.
“Senator Ubah was an exemplary leader, a committed public servant, and an indefatigable advocate for his constituents. His untimely departure represents a significant loss to the Senate, his community, and the nation at large,” he said.
The Senate spokesperson noted that the deceased lawmaker contributed positively to Nigeria’s energy sector through his business, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited.
He also said the foundation established by the deceased senator has impacted positively in the lives of the less privileged.
“Prior to his illustrious career in public service, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah distinguished himself as a prominent businessman and philanthropist. As the founder and CEO of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, he made substantial contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector, fostering economic growth and creating numerous job opportunities. Through the Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, his philanthropic endeavours provided scholarships, healthcare, and vital support to the less privileged, profoundly impacting countless lives,” Mr Adaramodu said.
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Below are 10 things about Ubah’s life and personality:
1. Ubah died at 52. He would have been 53 on September 3.
2. He was born as the first son of seven children to Mr. & Mrs. Alphonsus Ubah in Otolo, one of the four quarters of Nnewi in Anambra State, Nigeria. Due to the inability of his parents to cater to the educational and material needs of their children, Ubah dropped out of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja to learn trade at a young age. He has attended several local and international business courses and seminars in leadership and business management.
3. Ubah became an exporter of motor tyres and spare parts majorly in West Africa, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and DR Congo, before he expanded his business ventures in some countries in Europe, including Belgium and the United Kingdom.
4. He was the CEO of Capital Oil, which he founded in 2001. Capital Oil facilities and outlets are domiciled mostly in Southeast and Southwest Nigeria, with one of the largest tank farms for petroleum products storage and distribution in Lagos.
5. He was the founder of The Authority Newspaper, a Nigerian daily newspaper. Ifeanyi Ubah’s newspaper, ‘The Authority, ’ went daily on October 15, 2015.
6. Ubah founded the Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a football club in the Nigeria Premier League, following its purchase as Gabros International Football Club. He also founded a foundation named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
7. In 2014, Ifeanyi Ubah contested the 2014 Anambra governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party but lost the race.
8. On February 24, 2019, Ifeanyi Ubah was declared the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial elections on the platform of the Young Progressive Party but defected to Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.
9. Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, a Business Administration graduate of Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, with whom he had five children.
10. In September 2022, Ubah, on his way to Nnewi, was ambushed by gunmen in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State – his convoy was shot at; at least five persons, including two policemen, were killed. Ubah survived the attack, reportedly shielded by the bulletproof vehicle he was riding on.
