● Chioma Madugba
Nnewi, Anambra State – Chief Ben Etiaba joined other mourners on Friday to bid farewell to the late Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who was laid to rest at his palatial residence in Umuanuka Otolo Nnewi. The solemn event marked the final chapter in the life of a man many described as larger than life.
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life, Chief Etiaba a London trained chartered accountant shared poignant words during the burial ceremony: “Only one thing remains very obvious to me about life: no one gets out of this life alive. So leave a footprint of your choice. You are writing your epitaph now. Life is a process, not a goal. Live it now, or you will miss it. We have time to spend and no time to waste.”
Chief Etiaba recounted the genesis of his relationship with the late senator, a bond that spanned two decades and multiple continents. “Our very first meeting was at Ben Etiaba & Co Chartered Certified Accountants in Bermondsey, London, in July 2004, when Ebubechukwu Uzo consulted my firm for investment advice in the UK,” he recalled.
Chief BenEtiaba (R) and Sir Azuka Okwuosa exchanging pleasantries after Senator Uba’s burial in Nnewi, Friday
Their relationship deepened over the years, with key moments in 2014 when they collaborated on a major political platform in Nigeria. The journey culminated in a final discussion held in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2024. “A cordial relationship that started in the UK in July 2004 and concluded 20 years later in the US in July 2024,” Etiaba noted.
Quoting the hymn Ville du Havre, Chief Etiaba expressed his sorrow and acceptance of the loss: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say: It is well, it is well with my soul. Ebubechukwu Uzo, it is now ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ from all of us at Ben Etiaba & Co. Chartered Accountants, where our journey started 20 years ago.”
Chief Etiaba described the late senator as an extraordinary man whose impact would not be forgotten. He prayed for the repose of his soul, offering comfort to the bereaved family and urging them to find solace in the legacy he left behind.
The burial was a poignant moment for all in attendance, as Nnewi and Nigeria at large bade farewell to a man whose contributions transcended politics and touched many lives. GMTNewsng
Ben Etiaba in deep reflection in Nnewi, Friday
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