Tragic! Reverend Father Drowns in Lagos Beach

 

The tragc death of Rev. Francis Alex Okafor has left Catholics in Lagos in shock.

 

The clergy-man drowned during a send-forth party organised in his honour at the Ibeshe Beach in Oriade Lo­cal Council Development Area of the state.

 

Eyewitness account reveals that, while Rev. Okafor and some of his guests were swimming, a strong current came and carried him, together with some of the people.

 

Divers who were immediately mo­bilised were able to rescue three of them, while Rev Okafor could not be found. Two days after, his lifeless body was found floating at the edge of the sea.

 

Rev. Okafor, just in his thirties, was ordained Deacon on July 4, 2015, and was subsequently posted to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Agboju, Lagos for the mandatory six weeks apostolic work.

 

According to The Sun, a visit to the par­ish within the week, saw the whole place in a sombre look. There were no ac­tivities in the premises. The few peo­ple around were in groups, obviously discussing the incident.

 

Percy Okuofo, president of Redemption Youth Vocation Ministry (RYVM), described the incident as a rude shock, the group which organised the ill-fated send-forth, told newsmen that the late Reverend was an ex­cellent example to the youths.

 

He said:“By Catho­lic rules, before one could become a priest, he must have undergone about nine years of intensive and rigorous training, which also involves an apos­tolic work in a Catholic church. This would enable him to get acquainted with all it takes to celebrate a mass and acquire more experience in the vari­ous aspects of church administration. For the late Rev he has already been ordained a deacon, and waiting to be ordained a priest next year."