“She Was a Rare Gift to Mankind” – Otti Pays Tributes to Physician Who Died During ANPA Medical Mission in Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has described the renowned United States-based obstetrician, gynaecologist and urogynecologist, late Dr Mrs Uzoma Kelechi Nwaubani as “a rare gift to mankind” whose life was defined by selfless service, compassion and unwavering faith.

Aged 53, Dr Nwaubani, an accomplished Urogynaecologist and Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon, died while rendering voluntary medical services during the 2026 Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) medical mission in Abia State.

She is survived by her husband, Dr Arthur Nwaubani, four children and a host of other relations.

Speaking during the funeral service, held at the International Conference Center, Umuahia, Governor Otti recalled meeting the physician a day before her death during the ANPA medical mission.

The Governor noted that her sudden death came as a painful shock and was difficult to comprehend because she appeared healthy, energetic and excited about returning home to serve her people.

“I met her a day before she passed on and we bonded. She introduced me to her husband, Dr Arthur Nwaubani and her daughter, who is a medical student. They were all here for the ANPA medical mission.

“An hour later, I was told that she had passed on. It was difficult for me to make sense out of it because here was a vibrant lady, very energetic, very happy that she had come to give back to her society”, Governor Otti recalled.

The governor urged her husband, Dr Arthur Nwaubani, their children and the entire family to take solace in their Christian faith, saying although death was painful, believers must remain confident of eternal life and stressed that God’s purposes remain perfect even when they are beyond human understanding.

“I have no doubt that our sister is in a better place. And I have no doubt that on that resurrection morning, we shall meet with her to part no more.

“Anybody that says you should not weep will be deceiving himself. Of course, this is a great loss. But I don’t want you to weep like a non-believer, knowing fully well that mummy had gone to a better place”.

In a condolence message, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Enoch Uche, described the deceased as an outstanding physician, humanitarian and patriot whose life exemplified compassion, integrity and selfless service.

“Dr Uzoma embodied the finest of our noble profession in integrity, empathy, compassion and service. 

“She woke up each day with the thoughts of those she had to save and worked relentlessly even in the face of exhaustion to offer comfort and hope to countless persons in their most vulnerable seasons”, he said.

The commissioner noted that although the late Dr Nwubani had built a distinguished medical career in the United States, she consistently returned home with her husband to provide specialised healthcare services and financial support to women and vulnerable members of society.

He described her death during the ANPA outreach as “a powerful testament to her unwavering commitment to the care of others”, adding that her legacy would continue to inspire generations of healthcare professionals.

In a tribute read by her second daughter, Chinecherem Nwaubani, the family celebrated the late Dr Nwaubani as a visionary physician, philanthropist, entrepreneur and devoted mother whose greatest fulfilment came from caring for people both within and outside her home

She noted that their later mother championed community education, funded women’s empowerment initiatives, established scholarship endowments and alongside her husband organised annual medical outreaches for the Ibeku community.

Earlier in his sermon titled “When a Christian Dies”, the Enugu District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Isaac Nnaji, who preached from John 11:25–26, said death has no power over Christians who believe and faithfully serve God.

The clergyman described the late Dr. Nwaubani as a devoted believer who served God and humanity until her death and urged the congregation to live lives of genuine faith and service.

He added that only those who believe in, accept Christ and remain faithful in His service, would inherit eternal life and rise with Him in glory.

In his vote of thanks, the husband of the deceased, Dr Arthur Nwubani, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti, the First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the Abia State Government, the ANPA, as well as friends, family members and colleagues for their prayers, support and solidarity throughout the period of bereavement.

The funeral ceremony featured prayers for the bereaved family, after which the late Dr Mrs Uzoma Kelechi Nwaubani was interred at her husband’s compound in Nkata Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

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