Tears flow as TB Joshua is laid to rest in Lagos

•Sanwo-Olu, Akeredolu, Ooni, others bid him farewell

THE interment service of late popular cleric and renowned televangelist, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, fondly known as TB Joshua, on Friday, was filled with celebration and emotions as a large number of dignitaries and followers could not control their emotions as he was laid to rest at the church premises in Lagos.

The seven hours event was graced by people from all walks of life and delegates from several countries and races. They converged on the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun, Lagos State, to celebrate and pay last respect to the deceased.

Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, represented by his wife, Olori Naomi, were among dignitaries that graced the event. Other dignitaries at the event include HRM, King Willard Mswati Gomani from Malawi; Pastor Robert Acosta from Argentina; President, Economic Centre for Peace, Israel, Mr Ayoob Kara; Bishop Steven Ogedengbe from Ondo State and Bishop Trevor Williamson from the Bahamas; the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite among others.

In his tribute, Akeredolu described TB Joshua as a proud and dear son of Ondo State, who is a gift to the world, adding “I am proud to be here in person to honour our dear son because he came from us and he is a gift to the world. Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, the people of Ondo State, Nigeria have lost a rare gem.

“He is a special breed, a worthy citizen and a true son of Ondo State. His passing is indeed a great loss not only to us as a people in Ondo State or his town in Arigidi-Akoko, but a loss to humanity.

“He is a man of humble beginnings. The indelible print and impact of TB Joshua are visible not only in Ondo State but in several parts of Nigeria and throughout the world. No wonder this is a world congregation.

“I am not too sure that we have had the world congregated of this number from different countries in many of such services and probably that of Nelson Mandela, but the world is more represented here than when Mandela was buried. Indeed, he was acknowledged globally today.”

Akeredolu also noted that the cleric contributed greatly in uplifting the downtrodden, especially in Ondo, and also touched lives economically and spiritually and also contributed greatly to the emancipation of the underprivileged, widows, orphans, and special people and even touched the lives of the privileged. He said he (Akeredolu) was a beneficiary of his philanthropic gestures.

“He was not born with a silver spoon, but according to the facts I gathered from his peers, he was a special man. He was special from birth and has been performing miracles maybe unconsciously from his primary school days. Perhaps that could have been a reason for his great adventure that we are all witnessing today,” he added.

In his tribute, Sanwo-Olu noted that TB Joshua ran a purposeful race and was intentional about his pastoral ministry, just as he on behalf of the Lagos State government commiserated with the widow, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, the children, family, and the church at large, while he prayed that they will feel God’s love and find comfort over the loss.

“I choose to dwell on his phenomenal impacts across the world. His demise will be certainly remembered in the chronicles of the Synagogue Church of All Nation as a significant occurrence that saw his losing his amiable leader, a visionary prophet, and a general in God’s army.

“We should, however, celebrate the life of this global evangelist who emulated Apostle Paul by fighting the good fight of faith, by completing his race and tenaciously keeping the faith until God called him home. His life is worthy of emulation. His story is inspirational. His love for God and humanity made a difference.

“He lived with the common man, but became an uncommon minister. He was a man from a humble beginning who never forgot his roots even after he became a renowned preacher and a global evangelist; he still identified with the poor, fed the widows, and played the role of a father to many orphans. We must perpetuate his legacies by keeping the faith alive.

“I urge all Christians to adopt TB Joshua’s spirit of dedication, love, and sacrifice which endeared him to his members and indigents. He fulfilled destiny by living for others.

“His life should encourage us to renew our hope in Christ, our love for others, and our faith in Nigeria. We must be determined to make Nigeria our pride among other nations with unity, peace, and progress as our watchword. Prophet TB Joshua’s charitable deeds and love for humanity should open our eyes to the possibility of a world where we all live in pace regardless of racial or religious differences,” he stated.
Tribuneonline