Residents of Aleto community in Eleme, Rivers State, and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were thrown into shock and mourning on Friday, October 2, after the officiating minister at a funeral, Deacon Steve Eyo, suddenly collapsed and died.
PM News reports that the cleric was preaching on the topic – “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond.”
Eyewitnesses said the cleric told mourners that death is certain and cannot be avoided, and that everyone must pass through it. He likened death to going to the market, saying some people leave the market early while others stay until late. In the same way, some people die early while others live longer, and death can come when least expected.
However, about 15 minutes into his sermon, the cleric suddenly fell, with the microphone hitting the floor with a loud sound.
At first, some mourners thought he was demonstrating how suddenly death can happen, because he had just been talking about death, until it became obvious that it was a serious situation.
He was quickly taken to the back as choir members and other ministers gathered around him and prayed. Some persons with medical knowledge also administered first aid.
One of them later said his breathing had stopped. He was then rushed to the nearest hospital in the same ambulance hired to convey the remains of the deceased for burial.
He was confirmed dead at the hospital and his body was deposited in the mortuary.