Uduak Akai
It was indeed a distinguish and historic celebration of life as a renowed US-based lawyer, Mr Hope Umana, Esq, and wife, Evelyn, gathered family members, friends, in-laws, colleagues and well wishers to celebrate God’s faithfulness and blessings upon their lives as they marked their 60th birthday anniversaries respectively in pop and peasantry.
The date for the event was Saturday, January 3, 2026, and No. 1 GraceLand Road, Shelter Afrique, Uyo, AKwa Ibom State was the venue. The said venue for the memorable celebration was filled to its capacity with guests from all walks of life and various fields of human endeavor within and outside the country who thronged in to share in the joy of the celebrators.
Looking at the name, Hope, its symbolizes a positive expectation or desire for a good outcomes. It is a virtue name that represents optimism, faith and resilience.
Mr Hope Umana, a lawyer, is not an exception as his life reflects these virtues. His life is a clear demonstration of positive expectations and good outcomes. His life represents optimism, faith, resilience and beacon of light in times of difficulties.
Also, the name Evelyn, conveys a sense of preciousness and delight associated with warmth, kindness and intelligence.
“These names reflect the qualities and characteristics that Hope and Evelyn embody, making them even more special on their 60th birthday”
A brief profile of Hope Umana indicates that he is an indigene of Mbiatok Itam village in Itu Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. An alumnus of Lutheran High School Obot Idim, and the University of Benin (UNIBEN). A remarkable individual and a man with so much intelect that has distinguished himself as a respected Attorney At Law.
He is the principal Litigation partner of Humana Law Firm PLLC, USA, he also holds Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA). He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, Washington DC and Federal United States Courts. He has extensive experience in handling various legal cases. He has built a reputation for his exceptional legal expertise, dedication to justice and commitment to his clients which is a testament to his hardwork, perseverance and passion for the law profession.
He is the immediate -past president, Lutheran High School Obot Idim Global Alumni Association, Kuthisco, USA. He has several awards, recommendations and honours to his credit.
Addressing the creme de la creme guests, Mr Hope Umana Esq, maintained that the celebration was divine as it can only be God’s doing and not by their might to gather friends, family members, in-laws, colleagues and well wishers, from all over the globe to celebrate in their natal anniversaries.
Umana thanked God immensely for the journey mercies granted all his guests from the United States of America (USA), Alaska, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), India, Ghana, Sapele, Delta, Port Harcourt, Abuja and even his kinsmen from Mbiatok Itam village, Itu Local Government Area, to Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom to honour them on their special day.He emphasized that God has indeed shown them mercies in all ramifications. He appreciated God immensely for the gift of life and sound health and returned all glory and adoration to Him alone for all His benevolence upon their lives and family.
Umana Esq, the principal Litigation partner of Humana Law Firm, PLLC, and an alumnus of Lutheran High School, Obot Idim and University of Benin (UNIBEN) respectively, said he was so elated that at 60 he was kicking stronger.
“I remained eternally grateful to God that at 60 my bones are straight, my muscles are tight, I can still play soccer and as well do all the good things of life. I am happy, I am good, I thank the good Lord immensely for allowing me see age 60′, he posited.
The seasoned and renowed US-based lawyer appreciated his beloved wife, Evelyn, who is also celebrating her 60th birthday for being his strength and inspiration and helping him navigate his career and personal life, his children, his siblings, family members, in-laws, friends, colleagues, Global Alumni Association, Lutheran High School Obot Idim, USA, and well wishers for their show of love, maintaining that he will not for any reason take this their sacrifice of love for granted.
In her remark, Mrs Evelyn Umana, thanked God for 60 years of fulfilled existence, adding that it was not just a mere celebration of life but celebration of love and togetherness filled with joy and laughter at 60.
She appreciated her beloved husband, Hope and her children for their roles in keeping the family united in love. She also appreciated her parents, siblings, friends, in-laws and colleagues within and outside the country, alumni from Abaraka and University of Ibadan (UI) for sharing in their joy, assuring that celebration will never cease in their lives.
In a goodwill message, a renowed US-based administrator, Elder Bassey Okon congratulated Umana and wife for clocking 60 years.
Elder Okon disclosed that Umana is a thorough-bred gentle whom he served under as secretary, when he was the president, Global Alumni Association, Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, USA, where he demonstrated capacity by raising N75 million for the rehabilitation of the dilapidated Lizzy Hall, in Lutheran High School Obot Idim, his alma Mata, which was credited to his administration.
He said he was at the event to present a testimony of leadership of integrity of an astute lawyer who was the first black lawyer in America in 2021, Okon said Umana has distinguished himself as a blackman in all that he does in America.
Similarly, on behalf of the siblings and family, Umana’s eldest sister, thanked God immensely for adding another year to their brother and wife. She recalled that Umana has been a shining star from birth.
Describing the celebration as a great re-union, she thanked the duo immensely for their choice of Nigeria for the birthday celebration which has afforded members of the family who have not met for over 30 years the opportunity to come together again.
On her part, the popular Nigeria movie actress and cousin to Umana, Elizabeth Benson (Lizzy Benson), appreciated God for granting his cousin Umana and wife new a age. She said the celebration was indeed a re-union as it has afforded family members to opportunity not to only dine and wine but to also come together after so many years.
Benson commended Umana for being a good ambassador of Nigeria by maintaining his integrity, honesty and decency and fulfilling God’s purpose in his life, and prayed God to continue to bless and keep him and his family in sound health.
Birthday wishes were also received from their daughters; Dr Elaine W. Klass; Dr. Effi Usen, Mummy Oduwaiye; Betty Ujeyah; Ray Apinoko,(Evelyn’s brother); Mrs Martina Umana; Manie and family; Akenmini Umana; Ogis and Remi, among others.
The celebration climaxed with the cutting of the 60th anniversary birthday cake by Umana and wife, Evelyn.
It featured ballad presentation, cultural displays, dancing, dinning and wineing.
The birthday celebration was preceded by a football tournament at Shelter Afrique Field, Uyo, in honour of the celebrators on Friday, January, 2, 2026.
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