Reinhard Bonnke’s Death, Great Loss To Nigeria, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of renowned German evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke,  as a great loss to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. 

Buhari mourned 79-year-old Bonnke in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, on Saturday. 

The preacher’s death had earlier been announced via the Facebook page of his ministry, Reinhard Bonnke- Official Page.

“It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke,” the post read. “He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019,” said the statement. 

President Buhari sent his condolences to the government and people of Germany as well as the family and friends of the preacher.

He said, “Bonnke’s crusades in Nigeria, across Africa and the globe strongly accentuated the message of Jesus Christ, and his vision and zeal for the salvation of souls clearly helped the world in understanding the power of love and kindness as universal language.

Buhari added that Bonnke’s “legendary contributions to the body of Christ in teaching and writing will always be remembered by posterity.”

Bonnke’s gospel missions in Africa dates back to as early as 1967.

His visit to Nigeria in 1991 was characterised by riots after Muslims in Kano protested his visit to the state over claims that he was going to blaspheme against Islam.

About 8,000 youths were said to have started the riots that led to the attack on Christians and burning down of churches.

Bonnke returned to Nigeria to preach the gospel about nine years after the incident. He was said to have reconciled over 75 million unbelievers to Christianity across the world during his lifetime.