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The Catholic Diocese of Warri has announced the death of Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele, Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.

Fr. Ozele, who was aged 60, died in the early hours of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, following an illness, according to a notification issued by the Diocese.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabuokei, and addressed to all priests, religious and lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Warri.

The Diocese described the deceased priest as a highly revered, cherished and devoted servant of God who bore his illness with exemplary faith and courage.

“It is with profound sorrow and total submission to the will of God that I announce to you, by the directive of our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the passing unto glory of our highly revered, cherished and devoted priest, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele,” the statement read.

The notification added that Fr. Ozele was called to eternal rest after bearing his illness with “exemplary faith and courageous resignation to the will of God his Creator.”

Until his death, the late priest served as Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.

His leadership and pastoral service in the Ughelli Catholic community had previously been documented by the Diocese, which identified him as the Dean of Ughelli Deanery and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

The Diocese urged its members to remember the deceased priest, his immediate family and the Church in their prayers.

“We commend his soul to the mercy of God and implore you to keep him, the Diocese, and his immediate family in your prayers,” the statement said.

It further announced that funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.

Fr. Ozele was ordained a Catholic priest on December 12, 1992, according to records published by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria. He had served the Diocese in various pastoral and administrative capacities, including roles in evangelisation and parish ministry.

The Catholic Diocese of Warri prayed that God would grant eternal rest to the soul of the late priest.

“May his priestly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,” the notification concluded.

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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with trade, consular matters, education and cultural cooperation taking centre stage during talks between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, held bilateral discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted by India.

The summit is being held under the theme, “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze, said the welfare of Nigerians living in India was among the major issues discussed by the two ministers.

A key concern was the situation of Nigerians who have overstayed their visas. Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to the Indian authorities for an extension of the existing amnesty arrangement to allow affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without facing penalties.

The ministers also discussed the possibility of concluding a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

The proposed agreement would establish a framework for the humane and orderly transfer of eligible prisoners between Nigeria and India.

On economic relations, the two sides examined opportunities for increasing trade and investment, while stressing the importance of building stronger and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

Education and cultural exchanges also featured in the discussions, with both countries recognising the sectors as important tools for strengthening people-to-people relations.

Greater cooperation in these areas, the statement said, is expected to promote mutual understanding while creating more opportunities for citizens of Nigeria and India.

The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to use its participation in the BRICS platform to strengthen bilateral partnerships, attract greater economic opportunities and advance South-South cooperation.

Nigeria’s engagement with India comes as both countries seek to broaden their areas of cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic relations, particularly in trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges.

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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria is seeking to tap into India’s experience in technology and youth engagement as Vice-President Kashim Shettima leads the country’s delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Vice President Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit, where Nigeria is expected to pursue opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, manufacturing and industrial development.

The high-level Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.

Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since used the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand economic and diplomatic relations with major emerging economies.

A major focus of Nigeria’s engagement at the summit will be India’s progress in technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, particularly its approach to harnessing its large youthful population.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said India’s experience offered important lessons for Nigeria, especially in agriculture, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and the participation of women in the technology sector.

She said Nigeria was determined to learn from India’s expertise and its “greatest strength” in engaging young people to promote innovation, economic growth and inclusive development.

The minister stressed that India’s ability to deploy technology while creating opportunities for its youthful population could provide useful ideas for Nigeria as it seeks to expand its digital economy and create more opportunities for its young people.

Beyond technology and youth development, Nigeria is expected to use its participation in the BRICS Summit to strengthen economic ties with India and other emerging economies.

The country will also seek to attract investment and expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing and industrial development as it explores ways of turning its BRICS partnership into tangible economic opportunities.

Nigeria’s participation underscores the Federal Government’s broader push to deepen engagement with emerging economies and strengthen partnerships capable of supporting technology-driven growth and sustainable development.