By Adekola Afolabi

|

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, led the state government high powered delegation to pay last respect to the late televangelist, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua who was committed to the Mother Earth in Lagos on Friday.
Tributes and testimonies poured in as the remains of the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), was laid to rest. Dignitaries from all walks of life testified about his works, life and impacts on humanity, especially the less privileged.
Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly called TB Joshua hailed from Arigidi-Akoko in Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State.
On the Governor’s entourage were the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, among other members of the State Executive Council.
Governor Akeredolu described the farewell service as a world congregation, adding that it attested to the late Prophet’s acceptability across the world.
Akeredolu who paid Glowing tributes to the televangelist disclosed that the world has lost a giant, a rare gem and a special breed. He said the late Prophet has engraved his name in the hearts of the people of the world.
“The passing of Prophet T. B. Joshua is indeed a great loss not only to the people of Ondo State and his home town, Arigidi-Akoko, but to humanity. The indelible imprints and impacts of the late Prophet are visible not only in his home State, Ondo State, several parts of Nigeria but throughout the world.
“Indeed, he was globally acknowledged. He contributed greatly to the uplifting of the downtrodden, emancipation of the widows and orphans all over the world. He touched their lives socially, economically and spiritually. We recall that the late world-renowned televangelist had a humble beginning, he wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
“Perhaps that could be the reason for his affinity with the less privileged in our communities. We cannot but testify to the good things we benefitted from him as a State, in terms of scholarship awards to students, youths empowerment, resolving and settling huge electricity bills owed by some local governments and ensuring their reconnection to the national grid after many years of disconnection, giving logistical support to security agencies, amongst others,“ Akeredolu stressed.
The Governor also revealed that he has benefited personally from the kind gesture of the cleric, saying “his love was not only for the less privileged, but it was also for the privileged.
“I can testify personally, the things I benefitted from him. When I won election as governor of Ondo State, he drove all the way from Lagos to Owo to congratulate me, he prayed for me and put something in my pocket, he said as my governor, you will need to entertain people”.
The Governor added: “He was a man of peace who remained focus and undeterred in his mission on earth despite criticisms and misgivings by some people about him.
“His style portrayed originality, peculiarity, humility and simplicity. He was a gifted leader who was able to command large followership across the globe. He was a man who pulled himself up by his bootstraps to achieve stardom.”
While urging the people to take solace in the fact that the man of God lived a fulfilled life, the Governor prayed that God should give his widow, Evelyn Joshua, the children, the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), the Kabiyesi and people of Arigidi-Akoko the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Also, the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State, in his tribute, titled: ‘Celebration of life and legacy of Prophet Temitope Joshua’ described the late Prophet as an intentional man of God that fulfilled destiny.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi noted the late televangelist was an ‘uncommon minister’ who positively impacted people within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
In his tribute, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan (Ojaja II), represented by his wife, Olori Naomi Enitan, noted that late T.B Joshua did not just win souls for Christ, he was passionate about changing lives.