Report from Rivers State, South-South Nigeria says, Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Aleto, in Eleme Local Government Area of the State, Deacon Steve Eyo, reportedly collapsed and died while preaching at a funeral ceremony on Friday.
Eyo was delivering a sermon titled “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond” when he suddenly collapsed in the presence of more than 300 mourners and other attendees, according to Starnews online.
According to an eyewitness, the Pastor began preaching at about 1:10 p.m. and spoke with energy and clarity about the inevitability of death and the need for people to live prepared lives.
The eyewitness said Eyo used the analogy of people going to the market to explain that, just as some people leave the market early while others stay longer, people also die at different times.
At about 1:25 p.m., while concluding his message, the pastor suddenly collapsed.
His fall initially left some attendees wondering whether he was demonstrating the suddenness of death, given the subject of his sermon.
However, it soon became clear that he was in distress.
Church ministers, choir members and others reportedly gathered around him and began praying, while people with medical knowledge attempted to provide first aid.
He was subsequently rushed to a medical facility in the ambulance hired to transport the remains of the deceased whose burial ceremony he was attending.
The Pastor was, however, confirmed dead at the hospital and his remains were taken to the mortuary.
The eyewitness described the incident as shocking and painful, particularly because of the message Eyo had been delivering shortly before his collapse.
According to the source, the Pastor had reminded mourners that death is certain and that judgment follows after death, urging them to live wisely and prepare for eternity.
His reported final words were: “Number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime.”
The incident occurred at Aleto in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The circumstances surrounding his sudden death were not immediately disclosed.
