Saraki, Okowa, PDP React As Church Building Collapses, Crushes 10-Year-Old Boy To Death

Saraki, Okowa, PDP React As Church Building Collapses, Crushes 10-Year-Old Boy To Death
One person was feared dead while many others sustained various degrees of injuries following the collapse of St. Paul’s Catholic Church building at Ugolo, Adagbrassa community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta on Sunday.
It was gathered that the incident happened during an early morning Mass as worshippers had gathered today before the building collapsed.
The only deceased, Jeffrey Enukanerhirhe, was said to be an 11-year-old boy – the son of former Minority Leader of Okpe Local Government Area, Mr Jackson Enukanerhire.
It was learnt that Enukanehire died immediately as a section of the building crushed him while he was playing guitar during the praise session.
The father of the deceased said that the incident occurred at about 7 a.m.

“I was inside the church when it happened. I was at the back and my son was playing Guitar when it happened.
“When it happened, I joined other members of the church to rescue people who were trapped unknown to me that my son was trapped also; it is a sad thing,” Enukanerhire said.

• Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed shock over the incident:

Charles Aniagwu, chief press secretary to Delta state government, also confirmed the incident in a statement released on behalf of governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He described the church collapse as “very sad and unfortunate”.

The statement read: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Chief Julius Scott, the Orodje of Okpe, HRM, Orhue 1, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd) and the entire Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the unfortunate incidence.
“It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery.
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy.”

• PDP Reacts:

Reacting to the tragedy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consoled the victims, particularly parishioners and family of the deceased in the tragic accident.
The PDP notes that it was traumatic that such disaster occurred at a worship place, when innocent and devout parishioners were at a morning mass, worshipping God.

The party said: “Indeed, our hearts and prayers go out to the bereaved, the wounded, all members of St. Paul’s Ugolo and the Catholic Church at large, over this sad event, even as we urge the parishioners to be strong and not allow the incident to wane their faith and confidence in God.
“The PDP also condoles with the Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, while urging all public-spirited persons and groups to immediately come to the assistance of the Church and the victims.”

• Saraki Commiserates:

In his reaction, Saraki took to his Twitter page to commiserate with the victims of the incident.

He wrote: “My prayers are with the worshipers, affected families, Governor Okowa and the people of Delta State on this morning’s collapse of St. Paul Catholic Church in Okpe LGA.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to see that survivors are rescued and treated.”