- Ifeanyi was born on 3 September 1971 and died on June 27, 2024
- He rose from business apprentice to becoming an oil mogul, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- President Tinubu, Peter Obi mourn Sen. Ubah, say his death is a big loss to the country
For Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, what separates him from becoming the next governor of Anambra state is a matter of months.
Those who know Anambra state politics said he currently stood chance a better chance of winning the gubernatorial election slated to hold in 2025 as the current governor’s first tenure will expire on 26th March, 2026.
But, like the saying goes, man proposes, but God disposes.
Childhood life and Education
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah was born on 3 September 1971 as the first son of seven children to Mr. & Mrs. Alphonsus Ubah in Otolo town, one of the four quarters of Nnewi in Ananmbra state Due to the inability of his parents to cater for the educational and material needs of their children, Ifeanyi dropped out of Premier Academy,Lugbe, Abua to learn trade at a young age. He has attended several local and international business courses and seminars in leadership and business management.
However, not deterred from pursuit of education, he has since gone on many business courses and conferences which helped in sharpening his entrepreneurial pursuits. He also studied Owner/President Management Program at Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA.
Senator Ubah also has a Law degree from Baze University, Abuja.
Business life
Nevertheless, upon completion of apprentice n business, Ifeanyi went into motorcycle spare parts dealership. Rising from the ashes of poverty and determined to make meaning out of life, Ifeanyi became an importer of motor tyres and spare parts majorly in West Africa.
He imported into many other countries including Ghana, Sierra Leon, Liberia, and Dr Congo before he expanded his business ventures in some countries in Europe including Belgium and the United Kingdom.
In any case, in 2001, he founded Capital Oil and Gas Limited. He expanded his empire to journalism enterprise establishing and founding The Authority Newspaper a Nigerian daily newspaper and Authority 91.9 Fm, Nnewi.
His passion for youths engagement led him to the establishment of Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club a football club in the Nigeria Premier League following its purchase as Gabros International Football Club.
Politics
In 2014, Ifeanyi Ubah lost at the 2014 Anambra gubernatorial election under the platform of the Labour Party.
However, not ready to give up on his political ambition, he contested for Senatorial seat in 2019 and on 24 February 2019, he was declared winner of the Anambra South Senatorial elections under the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), but defected to Nigeria’s ruling party the All Progressive Congress (APC). He had declared his interest to contest the Anambra gubernatorial election on APC’s platform in 2025.
Personal life
Ifeanyi Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, a Business Administration graduate from Ahmadu Bello University with whom he has 5 children. He also ran a foundation which is named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
Attempted assassination
In September 2022, Ifeanyi Ubah was on his way to Nnewi and was attacked by gunmen in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State – his convoy was shot at; at least 5 persons, including 2 policemen, were killed. Ubah survived as the vehicle he was riding in was bulletproof.
His last testament
Shortly before his death, he relived his teenage experience with some newsmen thus; “ I struggled hard. I left Nigeria at 19 and I became a millionaire when I bought my first car. At 20 , I became a dealer in liquid diamond at the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the time, I would go all the way to South Africa to sell my products. I made it so big that I started to charter an airplane. Along the way, I was heartbroken by the woman I wanted to marry, this made me angry and as God would have it, at 21, I met my wife and the same day I met her, I proposed to her. I told my parents that I wanted to get married.
Death
On 27 July 2024, Ubah reportedly died of a cardiac arrest in London.. He was said to have departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom two days earlier on 25 July.
A close family source said he died in a hospital where he went for surgery.
President Tinubu, Peter Obi, others mourn Sen. Ubah
Reacting to the sad incident, President Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, prayed to God to strengthen the family of the deceased.
“President Tinubu commiserates with the friends and colleagues of the late Senator, the National Assembly, and the government and people of Anambra State over this sad loss.
“The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed lawmaker, as well as for strength and comfort to his family”, he said.
Also reacting to his death, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has mourned the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Recall that Ifeanyi Ubah died in London on Saturday
Reacting to the development, Obi, in a statement on his X handle, said Ubah’s death was a rude shock.
“I received a rude shock this morning, the news of the death of my dear younger brother, and Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
Obi recalled that he was welcomed by Ubah after attending the burial of Chief Pius Onwuzo in Nnewi, Anambra State, on July 12th.
Obi also prayed that God should grant Ubah eternal rest.
“Senator Ubah personally welcomed me at the burial and requested that I visit his house for lunch, to which I pleaded with him to reschedule to another date as I already had several engagements for the day.
“During our discussions on the state of the nation, he told me that he now understands my commitment to the progress of humanity and that he aligns with it.
“He assured me that, despite our party differences, we would work together as a family, in serving our people.
“Similarly, despite party differences, I commended him for his contributions to a better humanity through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, via which he cared for the less privileged in society, by investing in their education and health and pulling people out of poverty. I urged him to continue in that direction.
“May God Almighty who called him home, at this time, forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, the entire Anambra South Senatorial District; Anambra State; Nigeria; and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss.
“God Almighty protect and bless his family always.”
In his reaction, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun, has condoled with the family, describing the ugly incident as a great loss to the country.
The SGF Chairman described Senator Ubah as a self-made man, a politician, business mogul, and philanthropist, who contributed his own quota to the development of the nation.
He said the deceased as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil was a major player in the oil industry while also contributing to the upliftment of the needy through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
“Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s sudden demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill. His untimely departure is not only a loss for his family and loved ones but also for the entire state and the nation as a whole. We recognize and appreciate the significant contributions he made during his tenure as a senator and his commitment to the betterment of Anambra State.
“Throughout his career, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering passion for serving the people.
“Beyond his political achievements, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah will be remembered for his compassion, humility, and genuine concern for the well-being of others.
“We stand in solidarity with the Government and People of Anambra State during this difficult period.”