By Samuel Onyekwere
Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has eulogize the qualities of late Prophet TB Joshua, founder, Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun, Lagos, admitting that the late televangelist impacted more lives all over the country and the world than some of his governor colleagues.
The governor, who said this at the burial ceremony of the Prophet, revealed that he (Akeredolu) had one time benefitted from the generosity of Prophet Joshua after he won the 2015 election.
According to him, the late Prophet travelled from Lagos to Owo in Ondo State, his home town, to congratulate him on his victory and thereafter handed him, Akeredolu, and his wife, some money to entertain guests who be coming to congratulate them.
For Akeredolu, you only need to visit the televangelist home town in Arigidi, Ondo State, to see the impact he has made as this was evident as to the closure of the towns market for seven days in honor of their illustrious son. Commenting further, he revealed that there was a time the late Joshua was told that electricity have been cut off from four local governments in Ondo state because they were owing huge electricity bills, and the man of God offered to clear the outstanding bills and ensure that light was restored to those local governments as he even went to the extent of buying transformers for some of the communities.
The governor added that TB Joshua, as he is fondly called would be remembered for contributing immensely to the emancipation of the less privilege both spiritually and physical.
His words, ‘’ TB Joshua’s passing is a great loss for Nigeria and the entire world. A man of humble beginning, you need to get to Arigidi to know where he started from. His contribution all over the world is massive. The world is represented here than when Nelson Mandela was buried. He contributed greatly to the emancipation of the less privilege economically and spiritually’’.
‘’He supported the police and even the Amotekun. The Arigidi market has closed for one week to honor him. The Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Dr Abu Olanipekun his home town, had to beg me to ensure that he was buried in Arigidi but I told him that I cannot go contrary to any decision taken by his family. Where he has touched, many governors will not touch. The tourist attention he brought to this country is immense and he has engraved himself in the heart of the people of the world. He led a Christ like life, a firm believer and a man of peace.
The governor promised to assist the church and the family anytime he is called upon to ensure that TB Joshua’s legacies are sustained.
Good will messages were sent by Presidents of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Ghana, South Africa and Bahamas amongst many other countries.
Good will message was also sent by the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi who eulogized the qualities of the
late Prophet. He recounted some of the achievements of the late Prophet and his contribution to the economy of the state.
The governor of Delta State also sent in a representative. Deputy Senate President Omo -Agege and the former first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan both sent in representatives.
The interment which took place at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, amid tears, was officiated by men of God from different parts of the world. They include: Pastor Robert Acosta – Argentina, Bishop Williamson – Bahamas, Apostle Eduardo Acosta- Colombia, Bishop Steven Ogedembge- Nigeria and Dr Gary Tonge – United Kingdom. He was laid to rest at mausoleum built behind the church auditorium.
Other guests at the event included: Dr Olu Agunloye, Olori Naomi Adeyeye, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, representative of the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State Chairman, Bishop Steven Ogedemgbe of Wisdom of Chapel Ministry among many other dignitaries.
The interment was the highlight a of a five day program which commenced with a candle light procession to mark the burial of the late Prophet who died on June 5th 2021 at the age of 57. He is survived by wife Evelyn Joshua and three daughters.