Residents of Aleto in Eleme, River State and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG community in the area were thrown into shock and mourning Thursday, at a burial ceremony when the Resident Pastor, Deacon Steve Eyo, suddenly collapsed and was later pronounced dead.
The pastor was preaching on the topic-“The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond.”
He said that death was certain and cannot be avoided, adding that everyone must pass through it, adding that death is like going to the market.
He said some people leave the market early, while others stay until late. In the same way, some people die early, while others live longer, adding that death can come when we least expect it.
The pastor started preaching at about 1:10 p.m, saying that the burial was a reminder that death is not the end, because judgment comes after death.
He also encouraged everyone to number their days and live wisely. His last words were- “Number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime.”
15 minutes into the sermon, Pastor Eyo suddenly fell down with the microphone landing on the floor with a loud sound.
At first, some people thought he was demonstrating how suddenly death can happen, because he had just been talking about death until it was obvious that it was a serious matter
He was quickly taken to the back while the church choir and ministers gathered around him and prayed. Some people with medical knowledge also gave him first aid.
A medical person later said that his breathing had stopped. He was then rushed to the nearest hospital in the same ambulance that had been hired to carry the remains of the deceased.
At the clinic, pastor Eyo was confirmed dead and taken to the mortuary.
