A GREAT EXIT



Rev Dr Uma Ukpai a great gift and mighty man took a bow on October 6, 2025 at the age of 80.

A man of inspiring faith, courage, praises and visible love for God and His Kingdom.

He was married to Mummy Philomena. 

Their marriage produced eight children and they adopted an additional child but they lost two of their children in a car collision on the same day.

I remember some of his messages which impacted me several years ago while I was on campus and as I attended many conferences and camp meetings.

He was a leading figure in the Christian world back in the days. I remember attending some crusades or church events where he was the guest minister. 

I have previously written (in my tribute to my father in an article titled Honor Your Father, archived in my blog) about how he was the first guest preacher at the first Great Anglican Crusade, a city-wide revival crusade led by the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta and which took place in Port Harcourt in the early ‘90s, precisely March 1993 and was organized by the Great Anglican Revival Team (GART), which was involved in revival, evangelism, and missions.

I remember attending the big event and sitting in the gallery behind the stage possibly because we came early or because my late father was part of the organizers of that event, himself being a founding and active member of the 12-man GART core team.

Rev Dr Uma Ukpai was a Nigerian Christian leader, international evangelist and charismatic preacher. 

He was known for his powerful words, his gift of faith and working of miracles, and his ability to raise funds for the work of missions, church ministries and humanitarian/charity work.

He was the founder and president of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, a non-denominational gospel ministry based in Uyo, Nigeria.

He was also a key leader of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, being a founder of the movement.

He was severally called upon to build bridges between different denominations through his evangelistic, prophetic and crusade ministry. 

An Igbo man from Asaga in Ohafia, Abia State, he converted to Christianity in 1958.

Born on the 7th of January 1945, his father died when he was at the age of 10.

In describing how his early life challenges nearly impaired his career development, he said this: 

“I know what it means to lose a father and be a father from that age. I know what it is to save money to pay school fees. So, I have feelings for the poor. I learnt early enough to know that the stone Satan throws at you can become a stepping stone.”

He had a passion for the poor, sick and barren.

For more than 30 years, his ministry has run a medical outreach whilst doing ministry work.

The Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association is one of the financiers of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

At a time, I noticed his love with books, reading and learning which played out beautifully, creatively and profusely in his flowery words of wisdom for life, inspirational insights and uplifting/positive mindset.

Finally, let me say that he was also well-known and fondly loved for heartfelt singing during his ministrations and his love for music especially live band and he was particular about the sound and synchrony of the instruments.

One of his favorite songs which he often sings in his ministrations amongst many other songs is this song of gratitude to God for life, rendered in the Igbo language:


Onye n’eme mma

Anam ekele gi

Onum juru n’ekele

Eb’imere ndu forom o

Onu m juru n’ekele


Meaning: 

The One who does good

I am thanking/praising you

My mouth is filled with praise

As you kept me alive (or spared my life) 

My mouth is filled with praise


Another of his favorite songs is this song of praise to God for His goodness in the Efik/Ibibio language: 


Abasi ayaya o

Ayaya o

Abasi ayaya o

Ayaya anana ndo


Meaning: 

God is beautiful/awesome o

Beautiful/awesome o

God is beautiful/awesome o

Beautiful/awesome beyond description (or without blemish).


Yet another of his fav songs of adulation to God was this, also in Ibibio language:


Anie owo etie nte Jehovah

Amimoyo Ami nkwe


Meaning:

Who is like Jehovah?

I have searched and I have not found


I honor his great life and loving memory. 

To God be the glory. 


PS: What will we be remembered for?

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