Monday Onyekachi Ubani was born in the year 1964, on the 27th day of July. He was born into the family of the Ubani, of Awomukwu in Ikuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
He is the only surviving child of his parent. He lost his only sister at, birth during a caesarian session.
He had his primary school education in Awomukwu, in Ikuano Local Government Area of Abia State. He made credit in his Primary School Leaving Certificate examination. His best teachers were Mr. Nwabusi and one Mr. Ahia, who also sometimes doubled as acting headmaster. Both are late today.
Ubani later relocated to Lagos where he attended a Secondary Commercial College and obtained his West Africa Examination Council leaving Certificate commonly known as WAEC. Monday Onyekachi Ubani’s best subjects in the Secondary school include; English, Literature, Government, Economics, Commerce, Accounts (trial balance) and Book Keeping. The teacher who taught him accounting at the secondary school later became his client. The teacher he says was one of his best teachers in the secondary school.
In 1983, Ubani was admitted into the University of Nigeria, Nssuka to study Political Science. And his motivating factor was the political flamboyancy of politicians like Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. He was motivated by their oratory prowess because they spoke extempore and were politically very colourful.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani’s dream of becoming a Political Scientist cum politician began to wane as a result of the political adventurism and incursion of the Nigerian Military into Politics in the period of years referred to as ‘’military era’’
He particularly saw the military push of the then General Mohammadu Buhari that led to the overthrow of the Constitutional Government of President Shehu Shagari as an aberration in the practice of politics. He felt he will not realize his political ambition, as a lot of politicians became jobless due to the incursion of the military into the Nigerian Political terrain.
This made him to have a rethink and he decided to start afresh to study law in the University of Nigeria. He saw in his new found love (law) the opportunity to stand up in defense of the oppressed masses. He saw the activities of the likes of Late Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana as a credible example to emulate. He was emboldened because of these Human Right Lawyers and Activists who gave up a greater percentage of their lives for the defense of the oppressed masses of the society.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani’s humble background which made him to see himself as part of the poor oppressed masses got his zeal fired up and was emotional connected to these activists.
After his graduation, from the University of Nigeria, Nssuka in the year 1989, the young Onyekachi having been armed with LLB Degree with second class upper proceeded to the Nigerian Law School where he also came out with second class upper. He was called to bar in 1990.
He did his National Youth Service in Kano State, Nigeria. He served as a pupil counsel in the law firm of K. C. Ugbuaja & Co. and later worked in Wole Olufo & Co. in Lagos. He did his Masters Degree in comparative constitutional company law. He handled his first case while he was a National Youth Service Corps member, a case that had to do with moving a bail application to secure his client’s freedom. That was his first legal baptism, though the client never paid, he ran away.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani is the principal partner of the law firm of Ubani & Co., established in 1992. He was the former chairman of the biggest branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja, between 2012 and 2014. He displayed his leadership and administrative skills along with his management committee, while on the driver’s seat. His tenure as the chairman brought remarkable improvement in Ikeja Branch, with many achievements that people have never ceased commending long after he finished his tenure.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani built bridges of friendship on behalf of NBA with the different strata of government ministries, department, agencies (MDGs), and wit corporate organizations, NGOs, security agencies to mention a few. He is Solicitor and Advocate to several companies and high networth individuals. He is the company Secretary/ Director to AGMBS and External Solicitor to the following companies;
- G Homes, Loans & Saving Ltd.
- New Page Nigerian Ltd.
- Iris Medical Foundation
- Harry Mag Nigeria Ltd.
- Access Bank Plc.
- Orient Oil & Gas Ltd.
- Sun on Hotel Ltd.
- Beanland Hotels Ltd.
- Beuland Hotel Limited
- Jehovah Jireh Ltd.
- Advic Auto Ltd.
- Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)
- Dove Associates
- Orient Global Manufacturing Company Ltd.
Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani belongs to several groups and Associations. They include;
- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON)
- Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International
- Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Lagos District
- Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani is a notary public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is a Social Critic, Political Activist, Community leader and Commentator on National Issues. He has written several articles in various newspapers and delivered several lectures on law and political issues all over the country and abroad.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani is a renowned newspaper reviwer on television and radio and the presenter of Know Your Right with Barr Ubani on Radio.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani has held/holds the following positions;
- Former Parliamentarian (House of Representative) University Of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Former Chief Judge, University Of Nigeria, Nsukka (1988-1989).
- Notary Public of the Supreme Court.
- Former President Men’s Ministries Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Ikeja Section for over Eight Years.
- Former Chairman Law Week Planning Committee Of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja 2009 And 2010.
- Former Alternate Chairman Finance Committee Of NBA, Ikeja 2011
- Presently the Field Representative of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship of Nigeria.
- Present Treasurer Of The Board Of Assemblies Of God Church, Nigeria, Ikeja, Lagos.
- Presently the Legal Adviser of Lagos District of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria.
- Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja 2012 and 2014.
- Presently A NEC Member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Mr. M. O. Ubani is an awardee of several hours as listed below:
- 6th Ikeja City Award Excellence 2011.
- Akwa Ibom Indigenes Development Initiative (AKIDI) Lagos Nigeria Award of Excellence for Selfish Service to Humanity and Public.
- SPODAC Award Of Excellence Conferred On Barr. M. O. Ubani, Award Of Excellence And Service To Humanity.
- Naija Growing Green Media Dinner Award – Recognition Award For Numerous Contributions Towards A Better And Greener Nigeria.
- Fellow Certified Pension of Nigeria.
- JCL (Lagos City) Active Award, Active Citizens Discourse 2012.
- Pentecostal Fellowship Of Nigeria Ikeja Chapter – Distinguished Service Award 2012
- Cafus Obed Foundation Honours – An Award of Distinguished Character as a Resident Advocate of the Masses.
- Naija Growing Green Award Recognition for Supporting Environment towards Improving Human Sustainability through Planting.
- Nigerian Bar Association (Badagry Branch) Distinguished Merit Award.
- The Entire Members Of Non-Yoruba Speaking People In Lagos (Non-Indigenes) Recognition Award.
- Out Oka Iwu Lagos Award I Recognition And Sincere Appreciation Of His Election And Services as Chairman NBA, Ikeja Branch.
- Alimosho Times Publisher/Editor in Chief’s Award.
- The Lagos State Judiciary And The Lagos Multi-Door Court House (LMDC) Award In Recognition Of His Meritorious Service On The Lagos Multi-Door Court House Governing Council.
- Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Award.
- Rotary International (District 9110) Award in Appreciation of His Invaluable Contribution to Ethics in Business and Professions Seminar.
- Law Students Society (Adekunle Ajasin University) Award of Excellence.
- Royal Rangers Meritorious Award for Support to God’s Work and Humanity in Giving Hope to the Hopeless.
- Symbol of Hope Foundation (NGO) Man of Courage Award.
- Lagos State Government Award In Appreciation Of His Role As A Discussant At The Valedictory Symposium For The Retiring Head Of Service.
- Students Solidarity Movement For Good Governance Award As Pillar Of Democracy And Nation Building Amongst Several Others.
- ICSAN Professional and Integrity (Discussant) ICSAN 2015 Public Lecture.
- Pan African International Recognition Award/Annual Discourse (PAIR AWARDS 2015) Outstanding Lawyer of the Year.
- National Association of Judiciary Correspondence (NAJUC) Exemplary Leadership Award In Recognition Of Your Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Nigeria Justice System.
Mr. M. O. Ubani is a courageous Human Right Activist and Philanthropist. He is the Founder/President of Onyekachi Ubani Foundation. He has been praised from many sectors for fighting for Nigerian people whose rights and voices are trampled into the dust. He has been in the fore front fighting for the right of ordinary citizens. But his greatest accolade in humanitarianism came through his foundation; he has rendered countless philanthropic services to humanity. He has also given out several sums of money to youths and women by way of empowerment.
In 2013, his foundation was able to save the life of a baby (Somaya) that had a hole in her heart and thereafter attracted the sum of #10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) from the MTN Foundation for the victim.
His foundation also donated cash materials and drugs to Ikorodu flood victims in Lagos worth over #1,000,000 (One Million Naira) some years ago. He has rendered countless free legal services in aid of the poorest of the poor Nigerians who troop to his law firm daily.
- O Ubani’s personal philosophy reflects; discipline; hard work; creative intelligence; goal setting and planning and talent recognition. He believes in human capacity development; boldness; commitment to democratic ethos and respect for ethics. His personal lifestyle reflects humility, integrity and modesty.
Monday Onyekachi Ubani is a mentor to many young Nigerians; he has been involved in many youth development projects and mentorship programs. He was instrumental to the establishment of Abia Rejoice Movement for Youths (ARMY), a platform that helps to discover develop and deploy young creative Abians for economic development of their communities, as it is targeted at finding solutions to problems of poverty, building human, social, financial and environmental assets that enables youths and communities to exert control over their lives and participate in building community prosperity in meaningful and effective ways. An initiative meant to harness local talents and be their source of support to enable them busy improves their lives, enhance excellence and reinforce their commitment to society.
This organization in pursuant of its objective has led many initiatives focused at rebuilding Abia state. One of such was the historic youth statewide conference in 2014, which aimed to birth a new consciousness in the minds of Abia youths. The theme of that conference was deliberate and the outcome indeed was richly rewarding. With that conference he persuaded Abia youths to take action that will help redefine their individual destinies and their immediate society, take responsibility for the future, borrowing from the experiential knowledge of role models who have succeeded against all odds.
Ubani believes that ‘’ a country, whose youths are visionless, propelled by blind ambition of self aggrandizement and delusion of grandeur, can only be a curse rather than a blessing’’ And that ‘’every society and community should cherish her youths, because, it is on their shoulders that the continued survival of the communities rests’’
Ubani is a detribalized Nigerian and a believer in her potentials for greatness. When some ethnic fraudsters deceived some young Igbo elements into a criminal agitation against the country, Ubani was one of the few Igbo leaders that rose to the occasion. The Igbo Conscience (TIC), led by Barrister Monday Ubani, dismissed the clamour for Biafra, asserting that the Igbo are better off in united Nigeria. “TIC unequivocal distanced the generality of Ndigbo from the politically-orchestrated clamour for secession from Nigeria,” The group held a press conference in Lagos and through Mr. Ubani declared the agitation as dubious, fraudulent and selfish, and does not command the support of most Igbo. It declared the agitations as a non-event, inconsequential, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. And went further to assert that, it is proven that the Ndigbo are better off and will do better in a united and prosperous Nigeria.” That is how much a nationalist Ubani is.
In establishing his foundation Mr Ubani took note of the fact that when we look around us our workplaces, neighborhood and the society we have a lot of people with broken dreams, broken spirits and broken physiology, many of them living with untreated emotional hurts and personality dysfunction. It is only when we empathize with the people’s deprivation and hurts, that we will be genuinely moved to reach out to them and put in place sustainable healing mechanisms for the ailments of the people.
- O. Ubani is happily married to Faustina Ubani and they are blessed with four (4) children.
