Dwight Uma, the third son and fifth child of the late Rev Uma Ukpai, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI on his father’s remarkable life and enduring legacy as a global evangelist, sharing personal insights into the man behind the ministry

Everyone knew your father as a global evangelist, but how would you describe him as a father?

My father was a man deeply committed to God. I knew him as a man of integrity. Until his passing, he raised us to serve God wholeheartedly and to always give reverence to what belongs to Him. He never wanted us to compromise on integrity. That was the principle he inspired in us; to live by it and act accordingly.

He raised me and my siblings to share God’s word with others and to lead lives rooted in integrity. My father gave his best to show us the best ways to live our lives.

Were there times you wished he could just be a dad, without the mantle of a popular evangelist?

I think that’s normal because success is demanding. My siblings and I understood this. Any father who wants to raise his children successfully must invest a lot. This was what my father represented.

His role as a father was demanding, but so was his calling to win lost souls for Christ. Being an evangelist was his greatest passion, and he pursued it with zeal. There were times when he travelled to multiple villages, towns, and cities across Nigeria, as well as internationally. We wouldn’t see him for weeks or even months. Even as he aged and slowed down, there were days we wouldn’t see him because he was preaching.

Yet, whenever he returned home, he always tried to create moments with us. He would call everyone, ask how we were doing, and genuinely try to connect. Of course, there were times we wished he had been around more, but seeing how God used and blessed him, his passion inspired us as well.

How did you contribute to his ministry after being inspired by his life?

We all understood that, while he was our father, he was first called to serve God. Even when we were young, we would sometimes accompany him to crusades. As we grew older and attended school, we travelled with him during holidays.

We always remembered that he was our father who provided for us, gave us a roof over our heads, and ensured we attended good schools without worrying about fees.

Did he ever share his fears or worries with you?

From my experience, fear and my father were never used in the same sentence. He was a man of tremendous faith. Even when warned against visiting certain villages for crusades, he never hesitated.

He trusted that God would guide him. He never expressed fear. If he ever used the word, it was more of a concern, not fear. He faced life’s challenges head-on and never backed down. As children, we noticed that telling him something was impossible or dangerous rarely deterred him; only God’s direct guidance would. But fear? That was never part of him.

Do you think his mantle will stay in the family or extend beyond the bloodline?

That is ultimately between God and those He assigns to continue the work. Now that my father is no longer with us physically, we await God’s direction. One thing I know is that whoever is chosen will be confirmed by God. As it says in Joshua 1:1-8, “As I was with Moses, so will I be with you.” Whoever takes up that mantle will do so under God’s approval. For now, our focus is on celebrating his life and fulfilling what is necessary during this time of mourning.

Did you or your siblings ever feel pressure to live up to his legacy?

My father never forced us to serve God full-time. He always said, “Pray. Whatever God places on your heart, do that. That is serving Him.” He knew the personal demands of his calling and recognised that it was not for everyone. Yet, all of us served in various capacities at different points.

My first three siblings participated in the fellowship choir and served as his personal assistants before marriage. My youngest brother is currently head of media for his ministry. I serve as choir leader and youth pastor. Others, including my younger brother, have also served as his personal assistant. Every one of us contributed to his ministry at some point.

What do you think people misunderstood most about your father?

People often misunderstand that serving God involves controversy. God’s ways are higher than human ways. Many try to judge a man of God based on personal expectations or cultural norms.

My father followed God’s guidance, not human opinion. Some may have disagreed with his decisions, but he acted in the best interest of God’s people, faithfully following divine direction. When God calls someone, they are not meant to serve based on human standards but according to His guidance. That was who my father was.

What sacrifices would you say your family made for the ministry?

There were many sacrifices we made as a family. For most of our upbringing, we didn’t always have him around. There were times we wanted him to attend school events, like parent-teacher meetings, but he was away travelling. Sometimes I wanted to speak with him personally, but he wasn’t available. As children, we didn’t always have him to ourselves. Our lives were intertwined with the ministry, supporting him and serving God.

Yes, we didn’t have the usual childhood experiences, but we understood that God had called him to his work. As we grew older, we embraced that calling and supported him wholeheartedly.

In fact, we came to believe there was no better life than to serve God and give our best. We made many sacrifices, including travelling long distances for meetings in far-off regions. Most villages and towns required our accompaniment. It wasn’t always easy, but for the work of God, we understood the necessity of those sacrifices.

Was there a last conversation he had with you that you cherish now?

He tried not to make it obvious that he was leaving us. I remember one moment clearly: our last youth conference in Uyo. Despite having travelled a long distance days before, he insisted on coming to encourage us. He wasn’t coming to preach or perform; he just wanted to be present and lift our spirits. My dad often preferred being part of the service quietly, offering support rather than being in the spotlight.

He also spoke a few personal words that have stayed with us. To one of my siblings, he said, “Take care of your mother.” Barely two weeks after that, he passed on. That moment has left a lasting impression on all of us.

Did any of your siblings have unusual signs or premonitions of his passing?

I can’t speak for all my siblings, but I’ve noticed a few things. Some years ago, I had dreams about events that unfolded this year, though I didn’t fully understand them at the time. I had hoped God would give us more time with him, but certain prayers and impressions worried me. Even so, we know God’s wisdom exceeds ours. We didn’t want him to go, and we wished he could have stayed longer. But we also know that God owns every life, and he is God’s first. There were subtle signs, and years back, my father himself had predicted he would leave at a certain time.

What would you say are the secrets of his ministry?

My father had a passionate love for God and His work. He wasn’t in the ministry to get rich, gain fame, or seek personal recognition; his heart was fully for Christ. Whatever God asked him to do, he obeyed without hesitation. His devotion and zeal were evident in everything he did, from preaching to leading songs of worship.

What was his relationship with other men of God in Nigeria?

My father had many close friends in the faith. Pastor E.A. Adeboye was among his closest friends, as were Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Rev Felix Omobude, and Bishop Mike Okonkwo. He also had a deep friendship with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Pastor Kumuyi was another friend, although I haven’t personally seen them meet. My father mentored sons in the faith, including Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Archbishop Emma Isong, and Rev Ntia I. Ntia.

God called my father to be a uniting force among different denominations. He intentionally avoided making enemies, preferring to make friends and build bridges in the faith.

What message do you think he would have for Nigeria at this time?

My father would remind Nigerians that there is a God in heaven who is worthy of reverence. He always said that people who know how to pray face no impossibilities. He would urge us to be a praying nation, to put God first, and to seek Him for guidance. Whatever challenges Nigeria faces, God has the answers, and if we trust Him and seek His direction, He will show us the way forward.