Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odinkoya, the visionary founder of the Fountain of Life church, has sadly passed away on Monday at the age of 67 in the United States. A message shared via the church’s Facebook account on Tuesday evening confirmed his passing, though the cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 15, 1956, in Kaduna, Pastor Odinkoya was a member of the Odunkanya family. His formative years were spent in Kaduna, where he not only hailed from but also attended his primary school.
Educational Journey
Pastor Daniel Odinkoya began his educational journey at Baptist Primary School on Kigo Road, Kaduna. His secondary education was pursued at St. Paul’s College, Zaria, which is now known as Kufena College Wusasa in Zaria State. After completing his secondary schooling, he pursued a degree in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1981. Subsequently, he undertook his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program before embarking on a 12-year career with the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation. In 1994, he made the bold decision to retire voluntarily from his corporate career to fully dedicate himself to his divine calling in the ministry.
Marital Journeys
Pastor Odinkoya faced his share of marital challenges before answering his heavenly call. He was first wedded to Bimbo Williams in 1984, a union formed during their time at the University of Ibadan. Tragedy struck in 2005 when Bimbo Williams passed away, a victim of the tragic Sosoliso Airline crash, leaving behind three children.
Five years later, Pastor Odinkoya embraced a new chapter in his life, marrying Rosemary Simangele Zulu from South Africa. This union brought forth two children, yet it was marked by sorrow as Rosemary battled cancer for two years before passing away eleven years into their marriage.
Ministry and Legacy
In 1992, Pastor Odinkoya, alongside his late wife Bimbo Adekayo, established the Fountain of Life Church with a noble mission: to share wisdom about successful relationships and leadership ministry. From its modest beginnings, the Foundation of Life Church of God burgeoned into a global phenomenon by 1992, now boasting over 8,000 members across the world.
Pastor Taiwo Odinkoya’s influence extended through various ministries dedicated to both men and women, such as Discovery for Men, Discovery for Women, The Women Leader, and numerous other initiatives aimed at nurturing individuals from all walks of life and denominations.
Moreover, the church’s impact reached far and wide, with missions established in Sub-Saharan Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Switzerland, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odinkoya’s legacy remains an enduring testament to his commitment to the ministry and his mission to positively impact lives worldwide.
