Abia to hold state burial for Uma Ukpai Thursday

The Abia State Government will hold a state burial service in honour of the late Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai on Thursday.

Ukpai, who died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80, was a prominent Pentecostal preacher and founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association. He was widely known for his large-scale crusades and humanitarian outreach, with a ministry that spanned over six decades and impacted lives across Nigeria and beyond.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, March 23, 2026.

He said the event would take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, by 10:00 a.m.

Kanu described the late cleric as “a devoted ambassador of Christ whose ministerial exploits brought honour and recognition to Abia State and beyond.”

Also, in a bid to mitigate the growing risk of road accidents on newly constructed and rehabilitated roads, the state government has resolved to install speed bumps in parts of Umuahia.

The commissioner said, “With the construction and reconstruction of some of the roads in Umuahia, the lives of some commuters now appear to be at risk as a result of over-speeding on these roads.

“Consequently, the state government has thought it wise to install speed bumps on some of the affected roads in Umuahia to mitigate the growing risk of road accidents.

“All these projects underscore the state government’s agenda to beautify Umuahia as the capital city of the state.”

Kanu also announced that the government had approved the release of funds to accelerate the completion of ongoing projects across the state.

He noted that work had commenced on urban beautification initiatives, including roadside tree planting, landscaping of designated public spaces, repair and painting of curbs, and installation of road signs.

He listed key roads earmarked for the programme to include Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, Library Avenue, and the stretch from Shoprite through Aba Park, adding that protective guard wires had been installed along some routes to safeguard newly planted trees.

Kanu further disclosed that significant progress had been recorded at the Afara Relief Market project site, where construction of perimeter fencing had been completed, while compensations had been paid.

On road infrastructure, he said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority would commence the rehabilitation of internal roads within the Methodist Theological Institute, Umuahia.

Other ongoing and proposed projects, he said, include the construction of Umuokoro Road linking BCA Road to Ikot Ekpene Road in Ohokobe Ndume, the New Heaven Junction to Isi-Court Road in Umuahia South, Uzzi Ossah Road, and the rehabilitation of Mgbarakuma Nsirimo Road.

He added that the road linking the International Conference Centre to Winners Church/ASEPA Road would also be constructed, while the Michael Okpara statue would be retrofitted.

Kanu further said the state government had expanded its development framework with the establishment of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority to drive development in Abia North.

“Since its inception, GODA has embarked on strategic road construction projects to improve connectivity across Ohafia and the wider Abia North Senatorial Zone. Notable projects include the 1.53km Amaekpu Ring Road in Ohafia, the 300m Ezeukwu Road in Bende, the 2.35km Ezera Road in Isuikwuato, Okoronta Road in Ohafia, erosion control works spanning 850m in Bende, maintenance of the 4.5km Abiriba-Nkporo Road, as well as road projects in Ahuma Abam (Arochukwu) and Umuelem (Umuneochi), among others.

“These interventions are aimed at transforming Ohafia and its adjoining communities into thriving urban centres,” he said.

On general road infrastructure, the commissioner revealed that direct labour works were ongoing in 51 locations across the state, with two projects completed and three new ones added.

The completed projects include the maintenance and asphalt overlay of the 3.65km Abiriba Road, Orieagwa Junction to Amaogudu Roundabout, and the 1.12km Okpuala-Umuala-Nbawsi Road.

He added that newly added projects include road construction within the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate in Umuahia North, the 400m Umuogo Road in Ubakala, and the 4.7km Umuezike-Ofeme Nkpa Road.

Kanu further disclosed that a total of 29 road projects were currently under contract across the state, with work progressing steadily due to favourable weather conditions.

Responding to questions, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Kingsley Agomuo, said installing speed bumps was aimed at saving lives and protecting road users.

Also, the Director General of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority, Obinna Odum, said the projects were designed to improve connectivity and enhance access for agricultural produce across the zone.

Meanwhile, a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, had earlier urged the state government to immortalise Ukpai ahead of his burial, describing him as a spiritual leader whose contributions to Christianity and national development were significant