Sunday Coffie Mbang, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and first black President of the World Methodist Council (WMC), has passed on. He was 86 years old.

Mbang who was also the first President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), according to family sources, died on Tuesday night in his sleep after a brief illness.

“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his close friend and close confidant, was among close allies who received last prayers and blessings from the revered cleric about two weeks ago, before his passing on Tuesday.

“The late Prelate Emeritus, has not been out for any public function of late, but preferred to receive some important visitors including his best friend, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of his few close associates that visited him two weeks ago for prayers and blessings,” a family member said.