Anglican archbishop of Lagos Diocese Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye passes away in London hospital

ANGLICAN clergyman the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos of the Church of Nigeria Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye has passed away at a hospital in London after battling an undisclosed illness for the last six months.

Bishop Olumakaiye, 53, was the first Bishop of Osun North East in 2009 before being transferred to the Diocese of Lagos in 2018. His death this week, was announced by the synod secretary, Segun Ladeinde and the chancellor of the Anglican Communion, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.

One of the cleric's associates 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 and 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.”

As a mark of respect, Bishop Olumakaiye's Lagos 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.

Earlier in the year, the church could also not hold its synod in May because Bishop Olumakaiye was in the UK and could not attend due to his condition. However, the bishop’s long absence did not raise much apprehension because many members thought he was away on a long vacation.