Hotelier collapses, dies during wife’s birthday thanksgiving in Lagos

A Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away during his wife’s 60th birthday thanksgiving service on Saturday.

The service, held at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters in Egbeda, Lagos, was meant to honor his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele.

According to a Facebook post by digital creator Ayoade Ojeniyi, Akinyele, who appeared visibly distressed, gestured for help, possibly requesting water or an inhaler before he collapsed.

A video shared along with the post captured the heartbreaking moment as Akinyele slumped shortly after his distress.

According to the event invitation, a reception was to follow immediately at Noble Castle Events Centre in Igando.

According to a Facebook post by one of the event vendors, they arrived at the venue by 10am for the party, which was scheduled to begin by 2pm.

The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had gone to church for thanksgiving service and were expected to proceed to the reception afterwards.

But the plans were upended when news filtered in that Akinyele had collapsed in church during his testimony.

Attempts to revive him were said to be unsuccessful.

“Variety of foods were set, decoration, cocktail, emu oguro, and many more,” the vendor wrote, adding that the live band had already arrived with about 25 speakers.

The vendor, still in shock, said the Master of Ceremony had spoken with Akinyele around 1:23 pm, but the news of his death broke less than an hour later.

The event was cancelled, and guests were seen leaving the venue in disbelief.

“This is how people die?” the vendor lamented in the post.

“I can’t possibly ask for my balance for the job,” the vendor added.

As of the time of this report, the cause of death had not been officially confirmed.

News360 Nigeria gathered that Akinyele is the owner of Ologbo Nla Hotel in Isheri, Idimu, Lagos State.

The video sparked emotional reactions from social media users, with some highlighting the toll of stress and health neglect among men.

“So sad! From the look of things, the man was overtime stressed up, and an accumulation of it took him out.

“Men should cut down on their workload! Life no supposed be marathon o!” a Facebook user, Taylor Sam, commented.

Another commenter, Murtala Olalere Aderinto, wrote, “That was his last duty to his beloved wife and entire family… Death comes like a thief in the night.”

“It comes like a thief in the night, and snatched our precious life just like that,” Cicero Sasore-Whyte wrote. “Where? When? And how? No one can really say.