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Thursday, January 8, 2026

Church holds service of songs for three brothers who died in Great Nigeria House fire in Lagos 

He noted they were among eight others who died in the fire, which also left 13 others injured.

• January 7, 2026
Burning Balogun market
Burning Balogun market

Jesus The Saviour Catholic Church in Ejigbo, Lagos State, has conducted the Service of Songs and Requiem Mass for three brothers who died in the Great Nigeria House fire in Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025.

The three deceased victims, from Uzoakwa community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, are: Stephen Omyeka Omatu, who left behind a wife and three children; Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, who left a pregnant wife; and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu, who was unmarried.

The programme, held on Wednesday, witnessed prayers and renditions of several hymns to mourn the departed souls.

Mourners, comprising friends and church members, took turns during and after the programme to sympathise with and comfort the bereaved family members, who were in tears.

A Reverend in the church, Williams Omatu, who is also a biological brother to the deceased, in his speech, thanked God for the lives of his late siblings. He noted they were among eight others who died in the fire, which also left 13 others injured.

Another Reverend, Benjamin Ekpo, urged house and company owners to ensure emergency exits are provided to prevent a repeat of such a disaster.

The bereaved family and some church members held a candlelight procession around the church vicinity after the service, in honour of the departed souls.

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