Popular Nigerian talent manager, Ubi Franklin, is mourning the painful loss of his sister, whom he described as the woman who shaped his life and career.
Taking to Instagram in a deeply emotional post, Franklin shared how cancer claimed the life of one of the most important people in his world. He said her death has left a permanent scar in his heart and called it one of the biggest losses of his life.
In his words,
“Today Death visited me and took one of the most precious gifts life ever handed to me, my sister.
The one who birthed the Ubi Franklin you all know today. The one who opened my eyes to what life truly is.
One of the kindest souls I’ve ever known, and I am blessed to call her my sister.”
Expressing anguish, he questioned the cruelty of the illness that took her life:
“CANCER WHY?”
He went on to reflect on their journey together, recalling how she played a pivotal role in shaping who he is today.
“I still remember vividly how it all began. In 2004, while I was a law student at Madonna University, my dad passed, and as one of the youngest, I had to go stay with my sister and her husband in Abuja. During one of my holidays in December 2005, she took me to Lagos to visit my elder brother, and from that moment, I never looked back. That trip changed everything. It was the beginning of my journey and the beginning of Ubi Franklin.”
He added that although he later worked closely with his elder brother, his late sister always reminded him of their bond:
“I became my brother’s PA but she always reminded me, ‘Before anyone else, you were my PA.’ And she never stopped calling me that. Even till her last days.”
Franklin revealed that he was by her side through April, May, and June, and before leaving for a trip to England, he visited her in Lagos, expecting to reunite after his return. However, she travelled to Abuja on July 6 to be with family.
Things took a tragic turn shortly after.
“Yesterday, I got a call from my siblings. She had been moved to the ICU. I did everything within my power to make it to Abuja. But while I was airborne, in the early hours of today, she passed on.
This is one of the biggest losses of my life. When I landed in Abuja at 4:20am, she had already passed, but it was hidden from me till 4pm today.”Despite the overwhelming grief, Ubi expressed gratitude for the time they had together:
“Yet, through the pain, I am thankful. Thankful that I got to know her, to walk with her, to be shaped by her. Thankful that I was blessed with such a soul as my sister — my backbone, my rock, my biggest cheerleader.”
He ended his tribute by acknowledging the outpouring of love from others who knew her and were touched by her kindness.
“And today, as I’ve watched people pour in, all testifying to how kind, selfless, and good she was… I know I am not alone in my grief.
This hurts deeply. It has left a scar in my heart.
But I will forever love you.
And I know… you’re in a better place.”
