Maxwell Kumoye Announces March 7 Memorial Service for Late Wife, Funmilayo Stella Kumoye

Media executive and journalist Maxwell Kumoye has announced plans for a memorial service in honour of his late wife, Mrs Funmilayo Stella Kumoye, with the service fixed for Friday, March 7.

Kumoye, chairman and chief executive officer of First Zealmediacast Limited, shared the funeral arrangements in a Facebook post. He said the family has chosen a private interment for invited close relatives and friends, while opening the memorial service to the public.

The service is scheduled to hold at 11:00am at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Poluyi Crescent, Ilapo Estate, off AIT Station. Kumoye said admission to the interment will be by designated invitation only.

In a statement signed by Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, chief operating officer of First Zealmediacast Limited, the family thanked friends, colleagues and well-wishers for the support received since her death. The statement said the family has been strengthened by calls, visits, condolences and other expressions of care during a difficult period.

Kumoye described his wife as his cheerleader, prayer partner, best friend and gist partner, saying the reality of her death has remained hard to accept. She died shortly before her 49th birthday.

Mrs Funmilayo Stella Kumoye was born on 22 March 1977 to Mr and Mrs Ayodele Olupo and was the second of seven children. The family described her upbringing as faith-driven and grounded in discipline and hard work.

According to the family account, she dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptised in May 1994. Her religious commitment shaped much of her personal life and community service over the years.

She married Maxwell Kolawole Kumoye in 2000, and their marriage was blessed with four children. The family said their home was built on shared spiritual values, mutual respect and service to others.

She was active in the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation and served as a Regular Pioneer, a full-time ministry role within the faith community. Relatives said she was convinced that God’s Kingdom offers lasting answers to human problems and she consistently shared that conviction in her preaching work.

The family also recalled that she recently attended a special pioneers’ meeting with a Circuit Overseer, describing the experience as one that reinforced her commitment to ministry.

Beyond religious service, she studied Business Administration and later channelled her training into entrepreneurship. In 2016, she founded Stella Foods, a food business known for products including small chops and plantain chips.

Family members and associates said she was known for kindness, generosity and readiness to help others. They said those qualities defined her conduct in faith activities, family life and business.

Kumoye currently serves as chairman of the Media Committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and spokesperson for the Nigeria Scrabble Federation. He said the family will continue to appreciate public support while preparing for the memorial service and private interment.

The family urged friends and associates planning to attend the memorial to follow announced arrangements and timing, while respecting the privacy of the interment.