Bishop Mike Okonkwo – an influential Lagos-based cleric and founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) has revealed some shocking facts about the death of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya in America.
ENigeria Newspaper had earlier reported about the death of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, 67, who died in faraway United States after a medical procedure on which family members have chosen to maintain a sealed lip.
Consequently, in a statement released by Odukoya’s Church – Fountain of Life Church on August 8, 2023, the church revealed that the revered preacher died in America but refused to go into details as to his cause of death.
“The Fountain of Life Church Family, in total submission to the will of God almighty, announces the passing unto greater glory of our father, teacher, a great servant of the highest God, pastor Daniel Taiwo Odukoya, Founding Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, who passed unto glory on the 7th of August 2023 in the USA,” the church stated.
But buttressing further in a recent Church Service, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, spiritual father of the deceased told his congregation that Odukoya battled with a health challenge that resulted in him flying to the US for medical attention.
While not disclosing what the health challenge was, the bishop said he underwent a medical procedure
Okonkwo explained further that Odukoya chose not to reveal the sickness to the congregation in order not to cause panic.
His words, “I believe that, and some of you may be wondering that probably we should have come to church and announced that Pastor Taiwo was having some challenges with his health.
“Probably, the reason he didn’t want this to go out, was he did not want to raise unnecessary alarm because he walked to the United States by himself.
“I was in his house, he came to my house, and I was aware he went there (to the US) by himself so he believed there was no issue raising alarm; the leadership was already aware and because of it, I did not want to really disturb him.
“Even when he went for his medical procedure, I still spoke with him and so all hope was high that he (Pastor Taiwo) would soon be out.”
The cleric added that after the medical procedure, the US doctors advised that Odukoya should rest a while, adding that after that, he was later informed that he was dead.
“But the only thing is that the doctor wanted him to rest, and I came back and told all the leaders, saying look, he must be allowed to rest and that’s it.
“Even I that traveled couldn’t see him, I only spoke to him once and when I had what the doctors said, I didn’t want to border calling him every day.
“So, you can understand the shock I had when the call came in the morning of Tuesday to say that he has gone to be with the Lord,” he added.
Okonkwo told the congregation that the only answer and the only place they can find solace as people of faith is from the scriptures.
“I want you to know that things happen to us, and when it does happen, our position is to trust in the Lord,” he said, urging the church to continue the work that Odukoya left behind.
Recall that in November 2021, Odukoya’s wife, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, died after battling cancer.
Nomthi became Odukoya’s wife after the death of his first wife, Bimbo – a leading relationship speaker on Tv.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that the funeral Service for Pastor Taiwo Odukoya will hold on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
