Abia State Sector commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Meshach A. Jatau has expressed sadness over the sudden death of Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, The Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
In a condolence letter addressed to the governor and made available to the Witness, the Corps Commander described late Ukpai as a bridge-builder and detribalized Nigerian, who was dispassionate and wholly committed to the development of Abia State in particular and the Nation in general.
According to him, late chief Ukpai was unassuming and self effacing but practically result-oriented and silent achiever.
His word,”It was a bad day for me when I received the sad news of the sudden death of Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai on 30 March 2021. Until his death, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State. From my little experience in public service I know that appointees into sensitive positions such as Chief of Staff to the governor of a state are usually chosen to add value to governance based on their skill and experiences “
Details of the condolence message reads: FRSC/9.3/SC/711/VOL.VI/110 April, 2021
His Excellency
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu
Governor of Abia State
Government House
Umuahia
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE (CHIEF UKPAI AGWU UKPAI)
It was a bad day for me when I received the sad news of the sudden death of Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai on 30 March, 2021. Until his death he was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State. From my little experience in public service I know that appointees into sensitive positions such as Chief of Staff to the Governor of a State are usually chosen to add value to governance based on their skill and experiences; and from my little interaction with the late Deputy of Chief, I understood that his appointment as a principal aide to the Governor of Abia Sate was not a fluke.
The late Chief Ukpai was a bridge-builder and was completely a detribalized Nigerian. At every interface I had always marveled at the depth of his analysis of issues. He was never quick at finding faults and he was always patient to hear the other side before taking a position. He was dispassionate and wholly committed to the development of the State in particular and the nation in general. Even as a senior Government official he was unassuming and self-effacing, but practically, result-oriented and a silent achiever.
Before his death Chief Ukpai was an Honorary Member of the Special Marshals in the Abia State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps. His compassion for crash victims was second to none; and, through his commitment to road safety ideals, the FRSC in Abia State received massive recognition and support from the State Government. I can therefore only imagine the pains and the void His Excellency is passing through occasioned by the death of such a trusted confidant and a bosom friend.
As I commiserate with the Government and people of Abia State as well as the immediate family of Chief Ukpai, I pray for the repose of his gentle soul in the bosom of our Lord Almighty. I also pray that the Good Lord will grant us all the fortitude to bear the painful and irreparable loss. Adieu sir.
Meshach A. Jatau
Corps Commander
Sector Commander
Abia StateUche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
