Lagos, Nigeria – October 13, 2025 – As tributes pour in for the late Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, one of Nigeria’s most revered evangelists who passed away on October 6 at age 80, gospel music sensation Frank Edwards has added a deeply personal layer to the mourning with a heartfelt recollection of divine intervention. In a poignant social media post, Edwards revealed how, at just 8 years old, he was miraculously healed of debilitating asthma and pneumonia during one of Ukpai’s electrifying crusades in Enugu – a story that has resonated with thousands, amplifying the evangelist’s legacy of faith and miracles.
Edwards, 37, whose hits like “Bafana Bafana” and “Under the Canopy” have solidified his place in Afrobeats gospel, shared a throwback photo of the fiery preacher alongside his tribute on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). “At age 8 I got healed of asthma and pneumonia in one of your crusades in Enugu!! Thank you for impacting the world in a special way !! YOU FINISHED WELL PAPA REST ON,” he wrote, his words blending gratitude, sorrow, and celebration. The post, which exploded with over 50,000 likes and shares within hours, has sparked a wave of similar testimonies, turning #UmaUkpai and #RestWellPapa into trending topics across Nigerian social media.
The testimony hits especially close to home for Edwards, who has long credited his survival and success to supernatural encounters. Growing up in a modest family in Enugu State, young Frank battled chronic respiratory issues that left him wheezing through nights and struggling to keep up with peers. Doctors had prescribed inhalers and medications, but relief was fleeting. Then came Ukpai’s crusade – a massive outdoor gathering synonymous with the evangelist’s ministry, where thousands flocked for salvation, deliverance, and healing under the open skies. As Edwards later recounted in interviews, the moment Ukpai laid hands on the sick, including the frail boy in the crowd, marked an instantaneous turnaround. “I felt a warmth like fire go through me, and just like that, the tightness in my chest vanished,” Edwards shared in a 2020 podcast, echoing details now resurfacing in fan comments.
Rev. Uma Ukpai, founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was no stranger to such stories. Over six decades, his global crusades – from packed stadiums in Nigeria to conventions in the U.S. and Europe – were battlegrounds for the miraculous. Born in 1945 in Abia State, Ukpai overcame early hardships, including the loss of his father, to become a Pentecostal powerhouse known for his bold preaching on faith, spiritual warfare, and prosperity. He was the first African main speaker at the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International World Convention in 1996 and mentored countless leaders, including through his Wednesday Victory Cathedral services. His family confirmed his “glorious transition” in a statement, noting a life “full of gratitude” marked by healings, salvations, and social reforms like youth empowerment and healthcare initiatives.
Edwards’ story isn’t isolated; it’s a thread in the tapestry of Ukpai’s impact. Fans flooded the comments with echoes: one user recalled a barren woman conceiving after an altar call, while another credited Ukpai’s prayers for restoring a shattered marriage. “Papa’s anointing was tangible – sweat, tears, and breakthroughs every time,” wrote a Lagos-based pastor. Medical experts, while cautious, acknowledge the psychological boost of such events; the American Society of Plastic Surgeons – wait, no, respiratory specialists like those from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) note that faith-based interventions can reduce stress-induced flare-ups, though Edwards’ account points to something profoundly spiritual.
The outpouring extends beyond Nigeria. International voices, from U.S.-based Nigerians to African diaspora communities, hailed Ukpai as a “general in God’s army.” Edwards, who recently trended for his role at Moses Bliss’ wedding, used the moment to urge followers: “If Papa could touch a child’s life like that, imagine what God still has for us.” His label, Rocktown Records, echoed the sentiment, posting a video montage of Ukpai’s sermons synced to Edwards’ “Miracle Night.”
As Nigeria grapples with the void left by Ukpai – whose UUEA continues crusades worldwide – Edwards’ testimony serves as a beacon. It reminds that true legacies aren’t just in sermons or songs, but in the quiet miracles that echo for decades. “Rest on, Papa,” Edwards concluded. “You finished strong.” In a nation where faith fuels resilience, Ukpai’s fire burns on through stories like Frank’s – proof that some healings outlive the healer.