Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has said the late Rev. Uma Ukpai was a gift to the state and humanity.
The governor stated this on Friday while speaking at the Night of Songs and Tributes organised by the state government as part of the home-going ceremonies in honour of the late Ukpai, held at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo.
Uma Ukpai died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.
In a statement obtained from the Government House press unit on Saturday, Eno 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.
He commended the late Ukpai for his role as a mentor and spiritual leader whose contributions helped define the spiritual soul of the state, while also appreciating 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.
Eno acknowledged the late former National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria as one of the strong supporters of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The governor consoled the wife, Dr Philomena, and family, assuring them 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.
Dr Emmanuel Kure of the Throne Room Ministry, who preached on the topic “Across the Bridge,” described the late 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 had quickened the spiritual growth of young preachers who must rise up and fill the vacuum created by his passing.
Earlier in his tribute, the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, acknowledged the late Ukpai as one of the founding fathers of PFN, an organisation whose goal is to unite all Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of Akwa Ibom stakeholders, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, Chief Asam Asam, SAN, described the late Ukpai as a man of truth, honour, courage, passion and conviction, who believed in mentoring leaders to boost human capital development in the state.
Asam highlighted the late Ukpai’s mentorship achievements from his early days at the Scripture Union to the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, which, according to him, 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 described as an irreplaceable asset to the state.
