A Nigerian musician, Anani Binaebilayefa Newton, who worked closely with the late evangelist Rev Dr Uma Ukpai, has opened up on his experience with the preacher.
Behind the Scenes with Uma Ukpai
In a detailed Facebook post, Newton recounted his years of service as a musician for Uma Ukpai’s crusades and church events.
He first met the preacher in 2006 during the Bayelsa One Million Man Crusade, where he had the privilege of performing on stage.
Over the years, Newton also contributed voice-over work for the evangelist and experienced personal blessings through his association with him.
Reflecting on their last encounter in June 2025, Newton shared:
“During my last visit to Uyo in June 2025, I met the bassist that plays for Dr Rev Uma Ukpai. We got talking about happenings around some recent event with the musicians on daddy’s last visit at FLCC, and something in my spirit opened up, and I told him, ‘I have a strong feeling that daddy would be called by God very soon.’ He too confirmed my conviction but didn’t want to accept it. Now, seeing pictures of Rev Dr Uma Ukpai, I understand he has been called to glory.”
A Life of Faith and Dedication
Newton emphasized that Uma Ukpai’s passing should not be a cause for grief but a celebration of a life well lived.
“For me, this is not something to mourn or be sorrowful, because this is an eternal rest for a soldier, like Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” he stated. “Indeed, a man has fought a good fight and he really kept the faith. A crown will be laid on him where he will be told, ‘Welcome thou good and faithful servant, enter into my rest.’ A patriarch and a gatekeeper has gone to be with the Lord!”
Newton described his personal connection with the preacher as life-changing, highlighting the privileges he had in performing alongside Uma Ukpai and the blessings he received during his years of service.
Untold Stories and Legacy
Beyond his stage presence, Newton revealed the side of Uma Ukpai that few had witnessed — his mentorship, generosity, and dedication to his ministry.
According to Newton, working with the evangelist shaped not only his career as a musician but also his spiritual journey.
“This is personal for me because from 2006, I first encountered him in the Bayelsa crusade and was privileged to be on stage to play for him. I also had the opportunity to make a voice-over profile for God’s servant and received other blessings and favor set up by God through Dr Rev Uma Ukpai,” Newton said.
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