A lawyer, pastor and founder of the Arise Women Foundation and the Handmaidens Women in Leadership Series, Siju Iluyomade, has got tongues wagging after her colourful 60th birthday on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Siju, who is the wife of the pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos, Idowu Iluyomade, celebrated the milestone age with flair as distinguished guests, including billionaires and monarchs, were on hand to rejoice with her at the party, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
However, she got tongues wagging when a popular singer, Flavour N’abania, serenaded her with his hit songs, such as Ada Ada, Berna and Adamma. Some netizens questioned the presence of a secular singer at a party hosted by a pastor.
This was even as some expressed displeasure at Iluyomade holding such a lavish party barely weeks after the tragic deaths of a prominent member of their church, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba; and their first, Chizi.
On Instagram, @lollystyleme wrote, “RIP Herbert Wigwe! Live your life to the fullest while you’re here. People only care when you’re still around.”
@elegant_theli wrote, “This is the pastor’s wife of late Wigwe’s church o. Omo.”
Adenikeleg wrote, “What a total mess…so, even if the dead was your sister and her husband, plus your nephew, will this parry still go on? Those were members of your church for Christ’s sake. You are supposed to be their spiritual mother. Very insensitive and callous…even those in the world will not do this… look at Tony (Elumelu) too. Your colleague and his family perished less than a month and you are here dancing at a tasteless callous party with another woman of the world hiding in the church. May God have mercy on all of us.”
A popular X user, Adetutu Balogun, wrote, “When you see the 60th birthday celebration of Pastor Siju Illuyomade, then you will know why some people are still running away from church!”
On his part, @UyScutti wrote, “RCCG Pastor Siju Iluyomade, the wife of the senior Pastor of one of the biggest RCCG parishes, held her 60th birthday party this weekend and Flavour was the lead artiste. The Wigwes were not ordinary members (of the church). The whole thing is tasteless. She will never deny not knowing the backlash this will attract; she just chose to look the other way and damn the consequences of her indiscretions. She shouldn’t have organised her birthday at this time. Inviting Flavour to her birthday party as a pastor in RCCG is scandalous. It might attract sanctions from higher authority. Just last December, RCCG passed a circular that outsiders should not be invited to minister in Redeemed churches; let alone inviting a secular musician, Flavour. (However, Society Plus notes that Flavour performed at the Eko Hotel venue of the party, not the church). She did not do many things rightly. Lord forgive me if I have touched your anointed. The Igbos say that truth is life. I shall live and not die. The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
@oliviaturner wrote, “I have too much to say. This is a disgusting display after the too-recent tragic death of three members of her church in a devastating helicopter crash.”
@Olowojolulyabode wrote, “This could have been postponed. It is very insensitive.”
However, some people were of the opinion that Iluyomade did nothing wrong by celebrating her milestone age.
@somiariogolo stated, “Life is short. Enjoy it while it lasts. No doubt, Herbert has died; but those alive must celebrate it (life) while it lasts. More so, Herbert was funding the church, not the pastor. The church does not belong to the pastor.
“Moreso, is the church paying her bills? 60 years is not 60 days. She may have planned it small but friends and family chose otherwise.”
fayfabricplus also wrote, “So, because of Nigeria’s problems, those privileged should not celebrate? Even those with little still celebrate. Let the wealthy breathe, please.”
Guests at the party include the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Olaoye Ghandi; Oniru of Oniru, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal; billionaire businessman and Eleganza founder, Chief Razaq Okoya, and his beautiful wife, Shade; billionaire banker and Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu; among others.
