A cleric of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, who suffered a medical emergency on the eve of being made an archdeacon, died of heart attack three days later.
Reverend Canon Mark Adebola Ogunmola was days away from taking up a higher responsibility as an archdeacon in the Idanre Missionary Diocese of Ondo State when death abruptly ended his ministry.
Ogunmola, who was elected an archdeacon of the new missionary diocese on July 26, died on Wednesday, September 2, during a brief illness, according to a statement from the diocese.
According to the statement, the cleric was scheduled for collation as an archdeacon on Sunday, August 30, but suffered a medical emergency on the eve of the ceremony and was rushed to Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital for treatment. He later died at the hospital.
In the statement, the Missionary Diocese said Ogunmola died due to complications associated with high blood pressure that resulted in a heart attack.
Until his death, Ogunmola served as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Diocesan Prayer Coordinator, Secretary of the Board of Evangelism and Vicar of Oba Aroloye Anglican Church, Idanre.
As Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, the Right Reverend Olubode Abimbola Otenaike, Ogunmola worked closely with the Bishop’s Office, handling responsibilities at the heart of the Diocese’s administration.
He was regarded as dependable and diligent, with his colleagues crediting him with loyalty and dedication to the affairs of the church.
As Diocesan Prayer Coordinator, Ogunmola was instrumental in mobilising the church around prayer and spiritual devotion. His position on the Board of Evangelism also reflected his commitment to the spread of the gospel and missionary work.
At Oba Aroloye Anglican Church, where he served as Vicar, he was responsible for the pastoral care of his congregation, ministering to members of the church while carrying out the wider responsibilities of the Diocese.
The Diocese said Ogunmola had previously served God and the church faithfully in Akure Diocese before the creation and inauguration of the Missionary Diocese of Idanre on February 5, 2026.
He will be buried on Thursday, September 10, after a service at St Jude’s Anglican Church, Basiri, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
