THE LATE CHIEF UKPAI AGWU UKPAI WHO WAS GENTLE ON ME

I knew him. The name Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai became a household name since the era of Dr Orji Uzor Kalu when he was the Governor of Abia State. I was still in secondary school while his name was echoing in our ears for those of us who were interested in current affairs.

I knew him, but I was not close to him. Yes, I was seeing him on some occasions as his presence on such occasions was heavy that even the Microphone would introduce him before the MC could do the needful to announce the arrival of one time this, one time that, from Ohafia extract. 

When I started working for my former boss who was very close to him, it was then that I met him one on one through series of meetings and occasions they attended together. Looking at him then, he was fearfully and wonderfully made. His nickname, OTOTO just depicted the kind of EBUBE he had and his influence.

I started studying him closer and observed a man who doesn't speak much but so much believed in actions. He was disciplined and ready to confront and tell you his mind notwithstanding the relationship he may have with you. For him, things needed to be done right. He was an advocate and a peacemaker. He loved Ohafia so much and was always showcasing that which Ohafia is known for.

I had my first interaction with him when he asked me to come and meet him in his office at Government House, Umuahia about 2-3 years ago after I took some contractors to his hometown, Asaga Ohafia for a site inspection visit via the instructions of my former boss. 

I went to his office and met him on one Monday morning, His PA's after interrogating me at the waiting room later led me to the office where I introduced myself and reminded him that he asked me to come. He said ok instructed his PA, Hon. Sammy Kalu who is now the Deputy Chairman, Ohafia LGA to give me one brown envelope which he tagged,  "appreciation package" to be shared with other of my colleagues who joined me on the site visit with the contractor.

Then, I could recall vividly the last encounter I had with him. It was the day Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, former Minister for Finance buried his mother in Ebem Ohafia. I attended the burial and was there when Late Chief Ukpai arrived to commiserate with the family. While the band was playing old school songs, Late Chief had a little old school dance with the deceased family which attracted applause from all of us who were keenly watching him in admiration.

I was carried away by his magical dancing steps that I took my phone and made a short video which I innocently uploaded on his OGBUAGU WhatsApp group.

After about 30 minutes, I got a call from my former boss and my instinct told me that something must be wrong somewhere and knowing fully well the weight of the call and what it might result into, I ignored his call and later sent him an SMS that I missed his call which he didn't call back again. I was relieved.

After few minutes, one MTN number called me and I sluggishly picked it. A very soft but bold voice introduced himself as CHIEF UKPAI AGWU UKPAI. I was terrified and while goose pimples gripped all over me.

But to my greatest surprise to what has been obtainable for us when we erred, and with a calm and appealing voice, he said, " Ogbo, How are you doing? I heard you were the one that uploaded that dancing video on my Whatsapp group, you know that video wasn't good to be uploaded there, please kindly delete it ok before it will go viral. You know how people could misinterpret such video". He concluded by telling me to extend his warm regards to my family.

You know, when he called me, I was expecting abuses and hot scolding from him, I was expecting some threatening words from him, I was expecting a very harsh tone, but the reverse was the case. I was dumbfounded, I was like, so a man of his calibre can calmly with a fatherly love correct me of my mistakes without being harsh.

I felt guilty and remorseful. I sincerely apologised to him which he accepted immediately. 

Then came the last call I received from him. It was the day the Court of Appeal in Owerri gave the final judgement to declare my former boss the winner of the 2019 House of Representatives election for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.

While stepping out from the court hall, Late Chief Ukpai was the first person to call me and asked how the judgement went. "I told him we won and he asked, "if I have posted it",

I told him no that I was still computing the story.

In his usual jovial manner, he teased and said, " you are still computing the story, if it was to upload a video where I was dancing, it wouldn't have taken you a second", we laughed together and I told him, " Chief, I will send you the story soon once I finished writing". He said ok and hanged up.

Though Late Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai's life has been cut short by his painful exit, his life and my encounters with him taught me a lesson.

His life taught me that leadership is all about humility, selflessness, openness, mentorship and empowering the younger ones not forgetting your kitchen cabinet.

While he was alive, many youths, men and women benefitted from his magnanimity and kind gestures. Through him, many sons and daughters of Ohafia were appointed as AIDES to the Governor through the gracious approval of the youth-oriented Governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. Not only in the Government House but other sectors of the economy.

Late Chief Ukpai was a strong voice. Ohafia has lost a brave political icon who impacted many lives positively and always stood in defence for fairness and justice. His love for Ohafia was unparalleled and he would be greatly missed.

He was disciplined and a man of no-nonsense, Chief Ukpai was a loving father and a mentor who treated all and sundry equally with love and respect.

As his remains will be laid to rest on Saturday 29th May 2021, may God grant his soul peaceful and eternal rest and those he left to mourn him the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

ADIEU OGBAUGU ABIA!!!