Nigeria: More Facts Emerge On Kumuyi's Remarriage | Cameroonwebnews| Site d’information et d’opinions sur l’actualité du Cameroun

MORE facts emerged Wednesday on the remarriage of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, 18 months after the demise of his first wife, Sister Biodun.

A statement by the Church Secretary, Pastor Livinus Nnadozie, confirmed the story making the rounds in the last couple of days, that the former Mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, tied the nuptial knots with a widow, simply called Esther Folashade Aduke Blaize in a solemn ceremony in London.

The statement said: “Pastor William Kumuyi sparked joy and spontaneous happiness among members of the church when he got married recently in London. His new wife is former Ms. Esther Folashade Aduke Blaize.

“She is the administrator of the church in London. Esther, 65, was never married before, but had committed her life to the service of the Lord. The solemnisation ceremony of the couple’s Christian marriage took place in London on Wednesday, October 13.”

Dressed in a modest business suit, Pastor Kumuyi watched as his bride, Esther, resplendent in a pink and purple skirt suit, took the vow of marriage.

Guests at the wedding were later entertained at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in London.

Until the recent wedding, last week, the new bride now being referred to as Queen Esther, was the church secretary in charge of the London branch of the church.

Like late Mrs. Biodun Kumuyi, the new Mrs Esther Kumuyi is said to be one of the 15 founding members of the church in August 1973 at his living room at the University of Lagos.

According to sources close to the church, the ceremony which was preceded by a registry formalities was presided over by three clerics–one Nigerian and two British–Pastor Philip Oluwi, Pastor David Murray and Dr. James McDonnel. It was low keyed and devoid of glamour, only attracting a few invited guests from Nigeria.

The couple walked in to the Metropolitan hall with the wife dressed in a gown with a black coat on top and a hat to match instead of the usual turban that Deeper Life members had been identified with. The ceremony commenced with the introduction of the couple and a few hymns before a short exhortation by the officiating minister, Dr. McDonnel who enjoined the couple to lead exemplary lives.

The presiding cleric then proceeded to join the couple and thereafter declared the twosome husband and wife. According to the statement added that the wife of the General superintendent is the national and international women co-ordinator of the church, a role that cannot be filled by any other woman.

The late Mrs. Kumuyi was confirmed dead on Saturday, April 11, 2009 by the medical director of Light Hospital, Egbeda, Dr. Dare, after a protracted illness, while the husband was preaching at the church’s retreat at the Deeper Life Conference Centre along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The 57-year old indigene of Epe in Lagos State was with her close family members when she gave up the ghost, smiling as she listened to her husband’s sermon at the Deeper Life Conference Centre, DLCC, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, venue of the retreat via satellite when she finally gave up the battle for her life.

Sam Eyoboka | 31 October 2010|Vanguard (Lagos)