Talent manager Ubi Franklin is grieving the loss of his beloved sister, who passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
In an emotional Instagram post, Franklin shared the heartbreaking news, describing her as one of the kindest and most selfless individuals he has ever known.
He credited her with shaping his life, especially after the death of their father in 2004, when she took him in and stood by him through life’s toughest moments.
A defining moment, he recalled, was when his sister brought him to Lagos in 2005 — a move that marked the beginning of his journey into the entertainment industry. She lovingly referred to him as her “assistant,” a title she continued to use until her final days.
Franklin shared that he spent cherished time with his sister from April through early July, parting ways on July 3 before travelling to England, not knowing it would be their final goodbye.
Though heartbroken, Franklin expressed deep gratitude for the bond they shared and the profound influence she had on his personal and professional growth. He described her as his “backbone,” “rock,” and “biggest cheerleader.”
“Today death visited me and took one of the most precious gifts life ever handed to me — my sister,” Franklin wrote. “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.”
“Cancer why? 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. That was where my career started. 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. From April through May, June, and into July, I was blessed to spend time with her. On July 3rd, before embarking on my trip to England, I went to her room to bid her farewell with the promise that I would see her upon my return and that she would be waiting for me in Lagos. But on the 6th of July, she decided to return from Lagos to Abuja to spend time with her family since she had been away for too long.
“Man plans, but God disposes. 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 4:20 am, she had already passed, but it was hidden from me till 4 pm today.
Yet, through the pain, I am thankful. Thankful that I got to know her, to walk with her, to be shaped by her. Thankfully that I was blessed with such a soul as my sister — my backbone, my rock, my biggest cheerleader.
“And today, as I 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”.
