THE PARADOX OF LIFE
Life is such a fluidity that no mortal has gained its mastery. The very best of men are still men at the very best, and that’s why life plays us some tricks that leave us spinning in bewilderment. If anyone human has gained the mastery of life, then death would not have occasion to play tricks on us.
Just a fortnight ago, I had a rare privilege of meeting with Rev’d Dr. Uma Ukpai in his office, Uyo. I was in company of Archbishop Senator Helen Esuene, Bishop Emmanuel Etim, PFN Chairman, Akwa Ibom State, Rev’d Isang Eyoumoh and Apostle Ntia Ntia to brief him on the forthcoming Nigeria Mission with Prophet Dr. David Owuor in Uyo in February 2026 and secure his fatherly blessings.
Rev’d Dr. Uma Ukpai has always been at his best in any conversations; well connected, travelled and very intelligent. Strangely, he displayed a great sense of recollections, as himself and Archbishop Senator Helen Esuene, both have known for decades closely, competed in reminiscences over the past, present and the future.
I sat there in great relish, with all my ears pecking to hear more from this ebullient and most sagacious man of God, whose sense of humour is unparalleled. He was vivacious and excited about the revival conference and prayed for the success of the occasion, with a promise to attend the events.
Ha! Life has played its best tricks, leaving us spinning in bewilderment. Rev’d Dr. Uma Ukpai has left this side of life for a new and blissful side in God’s abode.
His last words were that in hosting younger prophets like Prophet Dr. David Owuor, we must remember that older prophets like himself had laboured to liberate Akwa Ibom State and they deserve honour. His tone was sombre, evoking a mild response from the Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, hinting him of the organization’s 40th anniversary celebrations and their readiness to honour and celebrate him for his visionary leadership that gave birth to PFN.
The PFN strings of 40th anniversary has started, with Akwa Ibom State opting to honour Rev’d Dr. Uma Ukpai this weekend but he is gone. Life has played its tricks on PFN. Here is the paradox that life is – the paraphernalia, the honorifics, the eulogies and epaulets to decorate the man whose vision founded PFN, the largest body of Christians in Africa, but he’s gone!
‘Death, a necessary end that will come when it will come.’ is a classic reflection of William Shakespeare on death – the last train man will board on earth to the great beyond. And unless Christ comes any moment now, it is evident that all men shall die.
Rev’d Dr. Uma Ukpai, 80, will be remembered as a father whose works have impacted the world. He has left behind countless footprints in the sands of time. But his impact will remain trans-generationally. It is doubtful if anyone can fit into his shoes, especially the bold and courageous ways he delivered the gospel messages to the world.
For many decades, he had held the public captive with his brand of gospel messages, powered by wide range of miracles, testimonies of mega breakthroughs and victories over all trappings of the wicked in the course of his evangelistic mission in the world.
Africa, nay the world, has lost a voice! Condolences have begun to pour in. Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State visited the family to condole with the widow and children of the departed father.
PFN and several Christian bodies have flooded the media space with eulogies in honour of Papa Uma Ukpai, founder of PFN.
