Tinubu, Otti Mourn Death of Popular Evangelist, Rev Dr Uma Ukpai At 80

President BOLA TINUBU has sent a condolence message to the family of prominent Nigerian evangelist, Reverend Doctor UMA UKPAI over his death at the age of eighty. President TINUBU says it is with a heavy heart that he mourns the passing of the clergyman, whom he described as one of God's generals. In the personally signed tribute, President TINUBU noted that the late Reverend UMA UKPAI was not just another preacher; adding that he was an anointed crusader of the faith, filled with fire and ice for the gospel and restoring humanity to discipline, love, and good neighbourliness. The President recalled the Greater Ibadan for Christ crusade in 1982 and the Greater Lagos for Christ crusade in 1985, hosted by late UMA UKPAI, which he described as two phenomenal events in proportion and impact. SEE PRESS STATEMENT BELOW: PRESIDENT TINUBU'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE EVANGELIST DR UMA UKPAI With a heavy heart, I mourn the passing of one of God's generals, Dr Uma Ukpai. Reverend Ukpai was not just another preacher; he was an anointed crusader of the faith, filled with fire and ice for the gospel and restoring humanity to discipline, love, and good neighbourliness. Dr Ukpai, who died at age 80, was an international evangelist, leader of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, and founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). Born in the small town of Asaga, Ohafia, in Abia State, Evangelist Ukpai went through his paces, enduring challenges while passing through school. But God had his purpose well defined. He obeyed the divine call and impacted generations with his ministry. He was one of the leaders in the Lord's army who brought the fervour of revival sweeping across Nigeria and parts of Africa in the 1980s. He was a firebrand. I recall his Greater Ibadan for Christ crusade in 1982 and the Greater Lagos for Christ crusade in 1985, two phenomenal events in proportion and impact. Dr Ukpai's mission was clearly to unite the Christian fold and different faiths and spread peace and harmony. He was a builder, building men and bridges linking different faiths, people, tongues, and tribes. He was also a humanitarian as he set up many charities, schools, and hospitals for the underprivileged. Dr Ukpai has fulfilled his divine mission and has gone to be with the Lord. He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. I pray that God Almighty grant him eternal rest. I commiserate with his family, especially his wife, Pastor Philomena Uma Ukpai, and his children, as well as members of his ministry. I encourage them to find solace in the great legacy of this beloved servant of God. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria Aso Rock Presidential Villa October 13, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Similarly, Abia State Governor, ALEX OTTI, said the sadness of the passing of Reverend Doctor UMA UKPAI is a painful one not just for himself personally, but for the entire Christian community, Abia State, and Nigeria at large. Governor OTTI noted that Papa UMA, as he was fondly called in his later days, was more than a preacher, but a generational teacher, and a true soldier of Christ who gave his life fully to the service of God and humanity. "I received with sadness the news of the passing of our beloved father in the Lord, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai. His departure is a painful one not just for me personally, but for the entire Christian community, Abia State, and Nigeria at large. "Papa Uma was more than a preacher. He was a generational teacher, and a true soldier of Christ who gave his life fully to the service of God and humanity. His ministry brought salvation to countless souls, healing to the sick, and fulfillment of the scriptures in ways that touched lives far and wide. "Over the years, I was blessed to share a father-son relationship with him. His exit has created a massive vacuum in Christendom and in our hearts. But we take comfort in knowing that Heaven rejoices as he returns home to Higher Glory. "On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Abia State, I extend our condolences to the Ukpai family and the entire Christian community. May God grant us the strength to accept this loss and continue the fire of glory Papa ignited in the vineyard of the Lord. "Rest well, Papa Uma."