A well-known hotelier in Lagos, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, has died after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held to celebrate his wife’s 60th birthday.
The sad event happened on Saturday at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters in Egbeda, Lagos.
Akinyele, who was giving a testimony in church, suddenly became uncomfortable. In a video that has gone viral online, he was seen gesturing and appeared to be asking for water or an inhaler before falling to the ground.
The thanksgiving was part of the birthday celebration for his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele. A big party was planned to follow the church service at Noble Castle Events Centre in Igando.
However, the celebration was cancelled after Akinyele collapsed in church. Despite efforts to revive him, he was confirmed dead shortly after.
A vendor who had arrived early for the reception shared their shock on Facebook.
“The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job,” the vendor wrote.
