The City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, following the extravagant birthday party of his wife shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc.
According to ChurchTimes, a top pastor of the church who did not want his name mentioned said the decision to suspend Iluyomade was in response to the public outcry against the party.
“It was not Pastor Adeboye that suspended him. The governing council decided to suspend him. I think it’s a decision in the right direction. Though some believe it is coming late.”
“They needed to investigate some of the things people were saying against him and the church,” the source said.
His suspension according to sources in the church was done via a letter over the weekend.
He has since been replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 of the church.
Wigwe, who died on board a chopper in February, was a member of the Parish.
The late banker died alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
After his death, wife of the Parish Pastor, Dr Siju Iluyomade, held a lavish birthday that left tongues wagging.
Distinguished personalities rejoiced with the pastor’s wife at the party, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
Some persons expressed displeasure that Iluyomade held such party weeks after the tragic deaths of a prominent member of the church alongside his wife and son.
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a social commentator, had written: “After all this charity and benovelence, the right thing and common sense dictate that it is offensive and not appropriate to throw a lavish party a week after the death of such a man whose tithe and benovelence sustained your husband’s ministry when his body is still cold. I wonder what Wigwe would be feeling in the spirit world after seeing such a carnival go on last night at the Eko Hotel Lagos, just a week after his death. This is a lesson for the living.”
There were several of such comments on social media but some persons had referred to them as mere distractions.
However, signs that the family of Wigwe disapproved of Ilumoyade wife’s action became public when The City of David Parish was skipped in Wigwe’s funeral programmes.
Usually, churches where deceased persons attended in their lifetime play key roles at their funeral ceremonies.
But the Wigwe family replaced City of David with another RCCG Parish in Lagos for the funeral service.
During one of the services organised for Wigwe, Ilumoyade paid glowing tributes to the deceased whom he described as God’s general.
He recalled how Wigwe spent about N500 million for God children’s great talent project and how he adopted a lot of children.
He said: “All through the night, I and Pastor Siju were talking to God. Wigwe was a man who had a heart for God. He served God. We were asking questions, who can we turn to but Jesus? I’m sure a lot of people have questions. I want to encourage you; Jesus is a burden bearer. He understands all things. Cast all your burdens to him.
“Wigwe did a lot of good work. He was an amazing servant of God. He had eternity in sight. The only things that follow us when we pass on, are our good works. His life has challenged us.
“I remember when we wanted to build a school at Makoko for the indigent students, and we needed to pay the teachers, feeds the students everyday. Wigwe came and said he wanted to partner with us, and together with his foundation – Herbert Wigwe Foundation, he partnered with City of David, we were able to build the Makoko school that endures till today.
“When we wanted to start God’s children’s great talent project, he partnered with us again. While we spent about N300million, he spent about N500million to raise talents. He had a heart for things of God.
“He loved children, he gave scholarships to children. He adopted a lot of children, took care of them. For years, he has been quietly paying for the stipend/salary of the City of David classical choir. It has been amazing, for years. Every month, he was paying them. At The Christmas concert, he funded them. He did a great work in this place. As he was doing here, he was doing it all over.
“He was a blessing to God and humanity. His life was profitable to all. I commiserate with the Chairman of the Building Fund, and his wife.
“Wigwe was the chairman of the finance committee with Pastor Siju and I remember when we wanted to start the fund raising. He took us to Eko Atlantic, he put a marquee there, he brought people from America to come and see, and in that event we raised about N600millon. One would have thought he would sit back; he kept going. He told me we’ll do it.
“When this place was ground zero, he paid five years rent for a branch when there was nothing just to assist, then later he said I’ll give you two branches one of the left, one on the right, and he paid five years each (ten years), nobody would support a greenfield, if you’re built, yes, you can go. One of his purposes was to assist us.
“When we needed to take finance from the bank, when the contractors left the site, he gave us the money. Herbert was supporting us. His wife was also supporting him. He’ll call his wife, bring N20m, bring N10m and she’ll support. He’ll call his friends too.
“About two weeks ago, when we went to meet him (Wigwe), we told him that project 2.4 we had paid over a billion in December, they told us to pay another one billion, we went back and forth, and I said okay, gather people, those that can redeem immediately and those that can pledge that can be sure to redeem in one year, that I will give one billion interest free just to help us to pay the bank. I’m sure his works will speak for him.
“Hebert comes to my house, office, and we pray. That’s why it is so difficult to understand the turn of events, but then again, God is sovereign. We thank God for Herbert’s life. God says, in all things, give thanks. We thank God for giving us Hebert and his wife. We pray to God to comfort his family. His life has challenged me.”
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