KC Ugboajah 

 by Tony Icheku

Today marks the first year anniversary of Kevin Chima Ugboajah, aka KC's demise. But he lives on in the hearts of people he touched during his lifetime


Taking to his social media page, his brother, Chief Charles Ugboajah wrote: "It is  one year today that you died, but we keep rejoicing evermore that you are resting in His bosom. We miss you"


KC, lawyer, politician father and loving husband died when life was sweetest for him. Barely 60, bubbly and full of life, he was in the midst of preparations for the APC's Senatorial primary, having picked form to run for Abia Central Senatorial district seat. Several consultative meetings had been held at his Ariam Elu-Elu country home. The last one had in attendance associates and loyalists from across the six LGAs making up the Senatorial district. After that meeting, he returned to his Abuja base and days later, the news filtered in that he had passed on.


Suddenly, a heavy, rain-filled cloud darkened the ambience  in his Ikwuano LGA of origin, where he once  served as a populist Executive Chairman. True, he fell sick for a short while,  but his death was too shocking, too sudden for family and close friends.


Indeed,  all of  Abia State experienced an  uneasy solemnity. KC, a political player in Abia's politics  - from PDP, PPA, ACN to APC - is  known and loved by all for his  charisma, amiable mien and pro-people leadership style


His sudden,  untimely demise left puzzled and pained  his thousands of  political associates and loyalists.


Beginning 1999,  the dawn of democracy  Ugboajah has played prominent roles in Abia politics:  serving as  former Commissioner for Works under former governor, T A Orji's administration; He also served as  the Campaign Director-General, of Abia Rejoice Movement – a platform of Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah governorship campaign under the APC in  the 2019 General elections


Until his death, K C  was a board member,  Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital,  (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun State.


Accepting his death by as one of life's inevitables,  friends, associates and community leaders in their condolence messages poured out their heart, eulogising the political stalwart, they fondly hail as 'Ochikari Ibe'.


Col. Austin Akobundu, former Minister and a PDP stalwart also  condoled with the family, and encouraged  them to stay strong. He added that KC served the State meritoriously and his loss remains a huge loss to Ikwuano and Abia State as a whole. 


"I am absolutely gutted to learn of the death of my brother, Barrister K. C Ugboajah", Ikwuano's pre-eminent political leader, Rep Sam Onuigbo lamented.


Onuigbo, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the lower chamber described the late political stalwart as an "An ebullient and strategic leader, K.C was a shinning light for Ikwuano and remains till today, arguably the best Local Government Chairman of our beloved Local Government Area. He will be forever remembered for the impactful leadership he exercised during this period". 


In his condolence message, former Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Stephen Mpamugo wrote:


"...I  join his immediate family, Ariam Usaka Clan, and the entire Ikwuano LGA in mourning his passing, but also in celebrating his lifelong contributions to our great Local Government.


"During his time as the LGA Executive Chairman, he rendered outstanding service to the Local Government and tried his best to advance peace, stability, and development in the Local Government.


"It is indeed sad that we lost him at a time Ikwuano LGA and indeed, Abia state as a whole, is in dire need of his leadership, wealth of experience, and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing us".


In his message, a community leader, Prince Kingsley Uwa Nkume stated that "KC was an amiable character you can not resist. He never lacked in his respect to elders. He was irresistible even to his political opponents. Ikwuano has lost one of the finest politicians. May his soul find a peaceful rest"


Another community leader, Mpa Nwosu stated that "It was sounding like the usual April Fool, a fairy tale or one of those horrific dreams, but it is now confirmed that Ikwuano has lost one of her very illustrious sons.  KCU is gone.  Do we ask his creator if all the calls to restore KCs health did not go beyond us or that he was considered to have completed his assignment in this planet earth?  What else can we relay or ask than to say: May KCU's soul rest in perfect peace … amen"


For President General and Secretary-General of the socio-cultural group,  Oganihu Ikwuano Forum,   Mazi Peters Chukwuemeka and  Pstr. Monday Enyinnaya Ironcho respectively,  the late politician was a 'precious jewel, our voice in the leadership cadre of Ikwuano politics'


 “The death of Hon Barrister K C Ugboajah on July 8, 2022 will always be remembered by the people of Ikwuano LGA of Abia State. It is the day we lost what can be described as a precious jewel, our voice in the leadership cadre of Ikwuano political hemisphere.  A distinguished leader personified, philanthropist, refined lawyer, down to earth personality and perfect gentle man. He was a pioneer member of Oganihu Ikwuano Forum with immense financial contributions  to success of the first Oganihu Ikwuano Concert and Reality show in 2018


"When the news broke this fateful morning that K C has gone to be with the Lord we were left in disbelieve and shock of the demise of our great son, leader, brother and mentor. Adieu  great man. We love you till eternity", they stated 


Ugo Egeonu captured  Hon K C Ugboaja as a "... man of the people, an indomitable icon, a rare  politcal exponent. So sad to behold. My condolences to his immediate family, Ariam Community, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State,  and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  May Almighty God grant your his soul eternal rest. Goodnight Chair as I fondly call you."


'Our Golden Cistern Is Broken', says Push Uchenna Kalume waxing poetical in  his condolence message:


"Tell it not in the camp of our mockers, lest the children of darkness celebrate. Tell it not in the camp of his ardent admirers, lest the sons of encouragement become discouraged and disillusioned. Tell it not in the camp of his learned friends in the chambers, lest the learned men drop their wigs. Tell it not in the camp of his fellow compatriots, lest courage take a flight through the window", he wrote.


"Our golden cistern is broken. Our light has gone off. Darkness has possessed our world. Our indomitable lion has been knocked down. Our hope for a better lkwuano is dashed. A man who gave all for the betterment of his people. A man who was not daunted by a plethora of oppositions. When comes your type again? Who will champion our cause again? Who can stand up for us again? Oh death, why pick the best amongst men and leave the worst amongst men? Why so soon? Why? Why? Why?. So many questions to ask and too few answers we are getting", Kalume sobbed. 


He further added: "Dear Barrister K.C Ugboaja, you are loved both in life and in death. You came around when we desperately needed someone like you. You saw the needs of your people. You fixed them to the best of your ability. Though your moment here with us was so brief, you accomplished a whole lot within your limited timeframe. You have left behind a gallery of legacies.  Time and space won't allow me to name them all. 


"They will continue to serve as inspiration to us. You have touched our lives in so many beautiful ways. You have left us better than you met us. What a man! My heart is too heavy to go on. My hands are too weak to type on. My eyes are too blurry to even read what I'm typing. It's too hard to say goodbye to a man like you. Laa na udo, Dede oma"


A  former Executive Chairman, Ikwuano LGA, Hon. Stanley Ojigbo also  expressed  shock at  KC's passing on, and described it as a monumental loss to Nde Ikwuano and Abians at large. 


 "Hon. Kelvin Ugboaja was  a political strategist, a very good and committed patriot, whose contributions to the betterment of the society is unequal.  How are the mighty fallen! The beauty of Ikwuano politics is gone. It is regrettably unfortunate!, he wrote


 Ojigbo also  regretted that Ndi Ikwuano and Abians at large have lost a rare gem who  would be remembered for his love for the people, kind-heartedness, generosity and as a man who understands politics as a game of interest played without bitterness and hatred"


"... Hon. Barr. Ugboaja was my dear friend and political twin-brother, whose party differences could not extricate, as he valued relationships beyond politics", he stated


Ojigbo, a legal practitioner like KC further described his learned colleague as "...an icon, a democrat par excellence, a fellow legal luminary, an associate of great repute, a two times local government Chairman, a three times Commissioner of various government parastatals, a life changer all in Ikwuano / Abia State "


Prince Obi prayed for the late politician thus  '...may the Almighty God receive your soul as you rest in peace in His bossom. As we pray to him the most high to grant us whom you left behind to always meditate in  following your footsteps which you had pasted on the marble as a living legacies of a pure, liberal and justified human while you were alive in Jesus mighty name".


A close relation, Michael Ibelegbu had this to say: "Dee KC you were not just my uncle,  you were my confidant and my source of inspiration and motivation. Though we cannot see you or meet you, you will always stay alive and smiling in our memories and hearts. I can forget everything, but I can never forget you"


The mixture of the calibre of men cutting across diverse political parties who graced KC's funeral was a true testament to the style of his leadership and lifestyle when he walked this earth


Those who paid him the last homage include the then Abia deputy governor Rt. HonUde Oko Chukwu; then Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji;, the former Minister of State for Mines and Steel,  Chief Uche Ogah;  then Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Chief Henry  Ikoh; then member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi; then Executive Chairman of Ikwuano, Chief Stephen Mpamugo, and  innumerable number stakeholders, technocrats, royal fathers, academicians and high-standing individuals from all walks of life.