Ifeanyi Ubah
Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria |
| Died | July 26, 2024 (aged 52) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Capital Oil; Senator for Anambra South (2019–2024) |
Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (3 September 1971 – 26 July 2024) was a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and political figure who represented the Anambra South senatorial district as a senator from 2019 until his passing in 2024. He founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil (CCO) beginning in 2001.
Childhood and education
Born as the eldest among seven siblings to Mr. and Mrs. Alphonsus Ubah in Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria, Ifeanyi faced financial constraints that led him to leave Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja prematurely to engage in commerce. Subsequently, he pursued various business and leadership training programs both locally and internationally to enhance his managerial skills.
Business
Ifeanyi Ubah's early ventures involved importing automobile tyres and spare parts across West African countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, later extending his trade reach into the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as European nations including Belgium and the United Kingdom.
In 2001, he launched Capital Oil and Gas Limited. Additionally, he founded The Authority Newspaper, a daily publication in Nigeria, and acquired Gabros International Football Club, rebranding it as Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., which competes in the Nigeria Premier League.
Politics
In the 2014 Anambra gubernatorial election, Ifeanyi Ubah ran under the Labour Party but did not secure victory. On 24 February 2019, he was elected senator for Anambra South representing the Young Progressive Party (YPP), before switching allegiance to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). He has announced plans to contest for the governorship of Anambra State in 2025 on the APC ticket.
Personal life
Ifeanyi Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, who holds a degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Together they had five children. He also founded the Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
Attempted assassination
In September 2022, Ubah survived a violent ambush targeting his convoy in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, during which assailants killed at least five individuals, including two police officers. His bulletproof vehicle shielded him from harm during the attack.
Death
Ifeanyi Ubah passed away on 26 July 2024 at the age of 52 due to cardiac arrest while receiving medical treatment in London. He had traveled to the United Kingdom two days earlier for surgery before succumbing in hospital.