Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the founder of Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju Lagos, passed away on Monday at the age of 67 in the United States of America (USA).
He was a respected and influential preacher who touched many lives with his ministry. However, behind his public persona, he was a man who struggled with personal tragedies that affected his health and well-being.
Pastor Taiwo, or Pastor T as he was affectionately called by his congregation, married his first wife, Bimbo, in 1984. They met at the University of Ibadan where they were both students. They had a strong and loving relationship that was evident in their ministry. They co-pastored the church and hosted a popular television programme called “Single and Married”. They also had three children together.
However, their blissful marriage came to an abrupt end on December 10, 2005, when Pastor Bimbo died in a Sosoliso plane crash. She was returning from a speaking engagement in Port Harcourt when the plane crashed and killed all 103 passengers on board. She was 45 years old.
The death of Pastor Bimbo was a devastating blow to Pastor Taiwo. He was heartbroken and grief-stricken by the loss of his soulmate and partner in ministry.
He also had to deal with the negative comments and rumours that circulated after her death. Some people accused him of being responsible for her death or having affairs with other women. These allegations hurt him deeply and made him lose trust in people.
He tried to cope with his pain and move on with his life. He continued to pastor the church and raise his children. He also remarried in 2010 to Nomthi, a South African woman who was also a pastor. They had two children together and co-authored several books on marriage and family.
However, tragedy struck again on November 9, 2021, when Pastor Nomthi died of cancer. She was 47 years old. She had been battling the disease for some time and had undergone several treatments. She was a supportive and caring wife to Pastor Taiwo and a mother figure to his children from his first marriage.
The death of Pastor Nomthi was another huge shock to Pastor Taiwo. He felt like he had lost his second chance at happiness and love. He wondered why God had allowed him to suffer such losses in his life. He also feared what people would say about him losing two wives in such a short span of time.
He became depressed and withdrawn from the world. He lost interest in his ministry and his health deteriorated. He travelled to the USA for medical treatment but he never recovered fully. He died on August 7, 2023, leaving behind five children and a legacy of faith.
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya was a man who loved God and loved people. He preached the gospel with passion and power. He mentored many young leaders and inspired many couples with his teachings on marriage.
He also faced many challenges and sorrows in his life that tested his faith and strength. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten by those who knew him and loved him.
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