LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Ayo Oritsejafor, has shared his private battle with cancer, revealing that he kept the illness away from many members of his church while undergoing painful treatment.
The respected cleric spoke about months of pain, repeated hospital visits and the emotional burden of fighting the disease quietly.
Although he did not disclose the exact type of cancer, Oritsejafor revealed that doctors informed him at one point that the illness had spread to other parts of his body.
He revealed that he endured severe pain while continuing to appear cheerful in public during church activities.
“I was in pain, but I still had to smile and laugh with people in church,” he said.
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The pastor explained that the worsening condition forced him to travel abroad for medical treatment after the pain became unbearable.
He recalled being told that immediate surgery could not be carried out, leading him to return home temporarily before later flying back overseas for further care.
Oritsejafor said he attended his church’s Jubilee programme during that difficult period, where he publicly sang and danced despite his physical condition.
The cleric added that shortly after the programme, he had to travel abroad again because of the increasing pain.
He also recounted a moment when a doctor, who was also a minister, carried out tests to determine whether the cancer had spread to his bones.
According to him, the doctor became emotional with relief after the results showed no signs of bone involvement.
He noted that the doctor encouraged him to dance, assuring him that he would survive the illness.
Also, Oritsejafor revealed that his treatment process lasted for several months and included prolonged bed rest.
At one point, he said his breathing became difficult and he was rushed back to the hospital, where doctors reportedly discovered a dangerous infection with no immediate treatment available.
The cleric disclosed that an elderly doctor later advised against a planned surgery, warning that he might not survive the operation.
He explained that the same doctor eventually developed a special antibiotic treatment just for him.
While the first attempt reportedly failed, a second round of treatment later worked successfully.
Oritsejafor further stated that strict isolation measures were enforced during his hospital stay because of fears surrounding the severe infection.
Die to the severity of the unknown infection, visitors were warned not to enter his hospital room without protective equipment.
Concluding, the pastor revealed that he spent more than $120,000 on treatment during the health crisis.
