Prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, has died after collapsing during a church service held to celebrate his wife’s 60th birthday.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters in Egbeda, Lagos, where a thanksgiving service was underway for his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele.
A viral video circulating on social media, originally shared by Ayoade Ojeniyi, shows the late Akinyele appearing visibly distressed and gesturing for assistance—seemingly asking for water or an inhaler—moments before he slumped while delivering a testimony.
What was meant to be a joyful occasion quickly turned somber, as guests and family members were thrown into panic. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Akinyele was pronounced dead shortly after.
A grand reception was scheduled to follow the service at the Noble Castle Events Centre in Igando, but celebrations were abruptly cancelled following the shocking development.
One of the vendors engaged for the event took to Facebook to share their experience, describing the atmosphere and the abrupt turn of events.
“We arrived at the venue as early as 10 a.m. for a party scheduled to start by 2 p.m. The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had gone to church for the thanksgiving,” the vendor wrote. “Varieties of food were ready, decorations were complete, cocktails and emu oguro were set, and the live band had mounted over 25 speakers. Just like that, everything changed. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”
Akinyele’s sudden death has left many in shock, with tributes pouring in from friends, colleagues, and community members who described him as a generous and cheerful personality.
