The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye, who died on Monday, had battled an undisclosed illness in the United Kingdom for six months, officials close to the respected cleric disclosed on Tuesday.

Olumakaiye, who died at 53, was the first Bishop of Osun North East in 2009 before being transferred to the Diocese of Lagos in 2018.

His death was announced by the Synod Secretary, Segun Ladeinde, and Chancellor, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.

However, our correspondents learnt the late God-fearing archbishop had been in the United Kingdom for over six months where he rested and got treated.

One of the associates close to the deceased Anglican cleric said, “The last time he ministered in the diocese was sometime in March during the diocese’s charismatic healing programme. Later, he left for the United Kingdom. He was in the UK till late September.

“During the period, he rested and was treated before returning to Nigeria sometime late in September. We believed he was okay before the condition relapsed. It was a painful moment for every one of us.”

Meanwhile, further findings revealed that the diocese has suspended its adult harvest scheduled to hold next Sunday.

Officials close to the development said the decision was among several others taken to mourn and honour the late cleric.

“The news of his death was a mind-shattering one. We have put all programmes on hold,” an official said.

It was further learnt that the church could also not hold its synod in May because Olumakaiye was in the UK and could not attend due to his condition.

“The synod did not hold in May because the bishop was not around. He is the president of the synod. Also, it was later announced that we should be praying for the bishop,” the source added.

However, the bishop’s long absence did not raise much apprehension because many taught he was away on a long vacation.

Meanwhile, efforts to get Ladeinde and Oyebanji to give further comments on the bishop’s demise on Tuesday could not yield results as of press time. Several calls and text messages were not responded to as of press time.

Okowa mourns bishops

Meanwhile, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday commiserated with the Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, on the passage of two bishops in the church.

He sent condolences over the demise of Olumakaiye and the Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese, Rt. Rev’d David Obiosa.

Obiosa died on October 25 at 59.

In a condolence message issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Okowa described the sudden death of the senior church officials as devastating.

“They passed on when their services were highly needed,” he said. The governor also condoled with the immediate families of the deceased and parishioners of the two dioceses, urging them to take solace in the fact that Archbishop Olumakaiye and Bishop Obiosa lived a life of service to God and humanity.

The statement read partly, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I condole with his Lordship, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the priests and parishioners over the passing of two bishops, Most Reverend Humphrey Olumakaiye, Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese, Rt. Rev’d David Obiosa.

“As a government, we join people of faith and most importantly, Nigerians to mourn the death of these illustrious servants of God and pray Almighty God to grant their souls eternal repose.” (The PUNCH: Text, excluding headline)

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