The Christian community in Nigeria witnessed a couple of high-profile deaths among the clergy, some of which shook the church for a while.
Below are five pastors who passed on in 2021:
Dare Adeboye
Dare Adeboye, son of the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), died in May in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he was based with his family. The 42-year-old was the assistant pastor in charge of region (youth) 35 before his death.
Adeboye had celebrated Dare as his “first miracle child” on the latter’s 42nd birthday in June 2020.
Dare was buried at a private vault at the church’s Redemption Camp on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
TB Joshua
Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet TB Joshua died after an evening service at the church on June 5. He was aged 57.
The clergyman, who was known for healing and deliverance, was buried on Friday, July 9 at the basement of the church in Ikotun, Lagos.
Joshua’s sudden death threw his church into leadership crisis as there was no succession plan. His wife Evelyn Joshua now controls the church.
Wilson Badejo
Former general overseer (GO) of Foursquare Gospel Church Wilson Badejo died on August 7 at the age of 74.
Badejo, who led the church from 1999 to 2009, was buried on Friday, October 8 after a funeral service at the University of Lagos.
Unfortunately, his wife Yinka Badejo also died on November 12. Family sources told Church Times that she had been ill before her husband’s death. She was the deputy president of Foursquare Women International.
Joseph Agboli
Founder of Victorious Army Ministries in Lagos Joseph Agboli died at the age of 58 on Wednesday, August 25.
The Delta State indigene, who died after a brief illness, founded his church in 1995 after pulling out of Pastor Patrick Anwuzia’s Zoe Ministries. He was buried on November 27 on the church’s premises.
Nomthi Odukoya
Nomthi Odukoya, wife of the senior pastor of the Fountain of Life Church in Lagos Taiwo Odukoya, died in November after a two-year battle with cancer.
She was laid to rest in a private cemetery on November 30.
