Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is dead.

He died after a brief illness at the age of 71.

The Uduaghan family announced his death in a statement signed by Toju Andre Uduaghan on Monday.

‎Late Uduaghan was born on October 22, 1954.

In the statement titled, “Announcement of the passing of His Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan”, the family said the death of the former governor was devastating because it was a big loss to the state and the country at large.

It read, “It is with hearts weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow that we announce the passing to glory of our beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, and Patriarch, His Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, who departed this world on the morning of 19th October 2026.

“His passing has left us devastated. Words can hardly express the depth of our sorrow at the loss of a man who meant so much to our family and whose life and service touched countless others across Delta State and Nigeria.”

The family also described Uduaghan as a ‘father figure, brother, uncle and source of strength’ whose presence would be deeply missed forever.

“He served as Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003, Secretary to the Delta State Government from 2003 to 2007, and Governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Throughout his years in public service, he demonstrated a commitment to the human and infrastructural development of Delta State.

“His passing is a profound loss to our family, the people of Delta State, and Nigeria at large. We are grateful to Almighty God for his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind.

“We pray that Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort our family, friends, associates, former colleagues, and all who mourn this painful loss.

“Rest well, our beloved Father, Brother, and Uncle. Your memory will forever remain in our hearts, and your legacy will endure in the lives of those you touched. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement added.

Source: punchng.com

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A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The incident occurred on Saturday, during a service that was being livestreamed on social media, according to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo on Sunday.

The priest was at the altar when the cross hanging behind him became detached and struck him on the head.

The Associated Press reported that footage of the service showed “a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.”

According to the AP report, the priest did not appear to notice the cross falling, while worshippers cried for help as the broadcast continued.

In its report published on Sunday, El Universo said, “Un sacerdote murió tras la caída de una enorme cruz de madera sobre su cabeza” — meaning a priest died after a huge wooden cross fell on his head.

The newspaper reported that Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass when the cross suspended above the altar became detached during a prayer.

It added that worshippers tried to assist him and desperately called for an ambulance. The incident was recorded because the religious service was being transmitted on social media.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death and identified him as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order.

The AP said the congregation was founded in 1732 and has a presence in 80 countries.

El Universo also reported that the Archdiocese expressed solidarity and condolences to the Redemptorist community, as well as the priest’s family and friends.

The priest had previously served for several years at San Lorenzo de Vinces parish, according to El Universo, which reported that the parish also mourned his death.

The circumstances that caused the cross to detach from the wall had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.

The Associated Press reported that local authorities had not commented on the incident.

The death has drawn attention to the incident captured during the livestreamed Mass, with worshippers seen rushing to assist the priest after the cross fell.

Source: punchng.com

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