President Muhammadu Buhari has extended deepest sympathies to the family of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on the passing of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
Pastor Dare Adeboye, an Assistant Pastor in charge of Youth in Region 35 of RCCG and third surviving child of the renowned cleric, died in his sleep on Wednesday in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. He was 42 years old.
In a condolence message released by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, Buhari also commiserated with members of the RCCG on the demise of the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35.
The president urged them to find comfort in the teachings of the Holy Scriptures that those who have chosen to serve God faithfully will see Him as He is in eternity.
He prayed almighty God to grant the departed rest in His everlasting kingdom and comfort grieving family, friends and associates.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also commiserated with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), over the death of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
Jonathan in a condolence message, in Abuja on Thursday, expressed sadness over the passing of the pastor, describing him as a much-loved clergyman.
Jonathan noted that the late man of God lived a life that was a pattern of good works and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.
“My family and I condole with Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the entire membership of the RCCG, on the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye, son of the General Overseer, and a much-loved clergyman.
“Though I never knew Pastor Dare personally, I have had cause to meet his father, Pastor Adeboye, and it would seem that the apple did not fall far from the tree,” he said.
According to him, from every account, Pastor Dare lived a life that was a pattern of good works and a credit to the Body of Christ.
“He was known to emulate the godliness and moral leadership that his father is well known for.
“We share in the grief that naturally comes when such a devout man passes on to eternal glory,” he said
Jonathan prayed to God to grant the family of the deceased and the RCCG ministry the fortitude to bear the loss.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, commiserated with Pastor Adeboye over the death of his son.
This is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Lanre Lasisi, on Thursday in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila said it was painful for a father to lose his child at any point in time, saying the younger Adeboye lived a life full of worship to the Lord and service to humanity.
The Speaker recalled how the deceased took after his father in the work of God and rose to become one of the leading youth pastors in RCCG.
Gbajabiamila expressed sadness over the loss of such a “promising young man”.
“I am saddened by the news of the demise of Pastor Dare Adeboye. His demise is painful, especially now that we need youth like him to serve as role models to their peers.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Adeboye family and the entire RCCG family at this difficult moment.
“I pray that the good Lord will find a peaceful resting place for Pastor Dare Adeboye,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commiserated Pastor Adeboye and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, on the death of Dare.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, expressed his heartfelt sympathies, urging the deceased family, friends, associates and entire members of RCCG to take the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye in good faith.
Sanwo-Olu said: “No doubt the death of a loved one is usually painful as it is irreparable but we must always take solace in God especially if the deceased had lived a good life, just like the late pastor Dare Adeboye.”
He said “The pastoral and wise counsel of Pastor D as he was fondly called will be sorely missed by his family and the entire members of RCCG, especially in Eket, Akwa Ibom, where he played active roles as a cleric before he passed on.
“I sympathise with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, his wife, siblings and widow of the deceased and the entire members of RCCG. I pray that God will grant the late Pastor Dare Adeboye eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also expressed his condolences on the death of Dare.
The Governor described the death of Pastor Adeboye’s son as an unfortunate development which has inflicted a wound in the hearts of family members in particular, the Christian community, all lovers of Adeboye and Nigerians in their millions.
Fayemi, in a condolence message, described Dare as a vibrant young man and committed minister in God’s vineyard who trod the righteous path being trodden by his parents.
The Governor urged Pastor Adeboye and wife to remain strong in faith in the trying time and rely on God who assuages grief.
“Our heartfelt condolences to Baba and Mama Adeboye, and the entire members of the RCCG worldwide. May the Lord heal the wound and uphold them”
“We urge them to be consoled by the fact that their departed son made an impact in his short years of existence and is resting in the blossom of the Lord.
“May God grant the entire Adeboye family, RCCG congregation the fortitude and equanimity to bear the irreparable loss”, the governor added.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said ‘no parent deserves this kind of loss’.
The statement reads: “The Governor, government and the people of the State of Osun received with pain and shock, the news of the demise of your son, Pastor Dare Adeboye, and wish to express our deepest and sincere sympathy on this sad loss.
Dare was one of your seeds who had chosen to follow closely in his revered father’s footsteps. No parent deserves this kind of loss. We feel your pain. Our dear state has lost yet again another bright light. We just buried Yinka Odumakin and now we have to mourn the loss of another young one.
We take solace in the exemplary life of Pastor Dare Adeboye and the peaceful way he went to be with the Lord .
We pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort you, your wife, the entire family and indeed the Redeemed Christian Church of God flock. May the Lord make available the Balm of Gilead and see you through this trying period and grant every member of the family the fortitude to bear the loss”.
Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, also commiserated with Pastor Adeboye over the loss of his son.
Lamenting the passing of the 42-year-old pastor, Kalu stressed that the younger Adeboye died in his prime, adding that the deceased was committed to the work of God like his father.
The former governor urged the Adeboye family to take solace in the fact that late revered cleric lived a purposeful life dedicated to the service of God and mankind.
In his condolence message, the Senate Chief Whip, who described the demise of the younger Adeboye as shocking and devastating, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the entire RCCG family.
He said, ” I received with shock and pain the news of the demise of Assistant Pastor (RCCG) in charge of Region (Youth) 35.
“The late cleric was known to be spiritually gifted like his father.
” He was strongly committed and dedicated to spreading the gospel beyond his immediate environment.
“The late pastor upheld and sustained the teachings of the holy Bible in his lifetime, which he exemplified in his way of life.
“He will be remembered for his good deeds”
The former Governor prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give the RCCG community the fortitude to bear the sad loss.
Kalu also extended his heartfelt condolences to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is also a Pastor of the RCCG.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) described the demise of Dare as tragic.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, in Ibadan.
The Christian body said the news of the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye was shocking.
“Our heartfelt condolences to Baba and Mama Adeboye, and the entire members of the RCCG worldwide. May the Lord uphold them.
“We pray that God would give the family and the church the fortitude to bear the loss.
“PFN mourns Adeboye’s departure at such a tender age of 42.
“Let us continue to pray and watch in thanksgiving,” the statement said.
