The sudden passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has left an indelible void in the lives of those who knew him.
“It is a sad reality that this huge crowd, so normal around Ifeanyi’s bubbling life, is now here to celebrate his farewell,” said Tony Okonkwo, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Topwide Group, in a heartfelt tribute to the late senator.
The news of Ubah’s death came as a shock, especially to those who had witnessed his boundless energy and unwavering dedication to his causes.
Okonkwo described his friendship with Ifeanyi Ubah as one that blossomed quickly, rooted in mutual trust and respect. “Though my junior by age, and businessman by grooming, we became friends in quiet circumstances that rapidly matured into brothers and family,” Okonkwo said, his words reflecting the deep connection they shared.
Senator Ubah, according to Okonkwo, was a man driven by passion. In everything he did – from business ventures to politics, sports to philanthropy – Ubah was an intense and focused individual, always racing against time to accomplish his goals.
“Ifeanyi was an unusual sprinter with remarkable guts,” Okonkwo stated. “He most times simply bursts out and breasts the tape while others are still warming up at the start line.” His speed, however, was not just for personal achievement but to uplift others along his journey.
Ubah was known for his philanthropic spirit, his heart of giving, which stood out to all who knew him. He was someone who didn’t attach himself to the weight of money. “Lack of money never frustrated his spirit,” Okonkwo said. “He easily borrowed millions to help friends, and that I know as a fact.” Ubah’s generosity had no limits. He believed in using his wealth to support those in need, whether it was helping the vulnerable, families, or friends.
Those who were close to him remember Ubah for his selflessness. “When it comes to giving, ladies and gentlemen, I doff my hat for Ifeanyi,” Okonkwo remarked. “He simply has no attachment to money except as a solution to what he wished to attend to at that time.” This attitude of giving made Ifeanyi beloved by many, and his legacy of generosity will forever be remembered.
Though Ubah was known for his wealth, Okonkwo emphasized that his true wealth lay in his ability to share. “Sen Ifeanyi for sure made money, but as he made it, he gave it,” he said. Friends, colleagues, and family will always remember him for this remarkable trait. The senator’s passing has left them with memories of his kindness and the way he touched the lives of so many.
“The family, as broken as they have endured, will heal, I pray,” Okonkwo continued. “They should soak the rain of tributes for their patriarch, the showers of mercies from our prayers, to grow the strength for recovery and comfort.” Despite the pain of his loss, Okonkwo’s words are a call for healing and hope for Ubah’s grieving loved ones.
In his tribute, Okonkwo also reflected on the importance of forgiveness and unity, sharing a core message from Ubah’s long-time associate, Dr. Coscharis Maduka. “Heaven and Earth are happy when you quarrel, fight, forgive, and re-unite to become better,” Maduka had once said. “We are more human by giving and forgiving, and my brother Sen. Ubah is a personal example.”
Okonkwo echoed Maduka’s sentiments, acknowledging that Ubah had not always been without challenges in his relationships but had worked through them. “Yes, we had issues, but we also overcame those issues, and actually got along better long ago,” Okonkwo recalled.
Okonkwo’s tribute was not just a remembrance of Ubah’s generosity but also a reminder of his resilience. In his lifetime, Ubah had faced many challenges but always came out stronger. He lived by the principle of giving and forgiving, which Okonkwo believes should serve as an example to all.
The reality of death, Okonkwo noted, is one that binds all of humanity. “Death remains our human mystery, indeed an irreversible leveller,” he said. “It makes us equal in a common nothingness when the time is up.” But through Ubah’s life and legacy, he reminded everyone of the importance of living fully, giving freely, and forgiving often.
As Okonkwo bid farewell to his friend, he concluded his tribute with a message of peace: “As the blazing light of Chukwubuluzo has dimmed, I say goodbye to a dear friend, triumphant, and a brother forever missed. Adieu and rest in peace, Distinguished Senator.”
