President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of renowned evangelist and founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Dr Uma Ukpai, describing him as “one of God’s generals” who lived a life of unwavering faith, service, and compassion.
In a personally signed statement, President Tinubu said Dr Ukpai, who died at the age of 80, was “an anointed crusader of the faith, filled with fire and ice for the gospel and for restoring humanity to discipline, love, and good neighbourliness.”
“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,” President Tinubu wrote.
He described the late cleric as “a firebrand evangelist” whose ministry played a pivotal role in rekindling revival and faith across Nigeria and Africa, particularly in the 1980s.
“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.
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,” the President recalled.
President Tinubu noted that beyond his evangelistic work, Dr Ukpai was also a humanitarian and bridge-builder, establishing several charities, schools, and hospitals to support the underprivileged.
“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 stated.
Reflecting on the life of the late evangelist, the President said Dr Ukpai had “fulfilled his divine mission and gone to be with the Lord.”“He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. I pray that God Almighty grants him eternal rest,” the President added.
President Tinubu extended his condolences to Pastor Philomena Uma Ukpai, the widow of the late evangelist, their children, and members of his ministry, urging them to find solace in the enduring legacy of faith and service he left behind.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Dr Uma Ukpai, founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and a leading figure in Nigeria’s Christian revival movement, was widely known for his evangelistic crusades, mentorship, and philanthropy spanning over five decades.
