Nation
Jonathan, Adams, CLO, Others Mourn Joshua
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of Prophet Temitope Joshua, the Founder and the Spiritual leader of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCoAN), popularly known as TB Joshua.
Jonathan in a message of condolence to the family of the deceased and the SCoAN congregation, described the late Joshua as a devout man of God, who served God and humanity with relentless passion during his life.
The former president in the message signed by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Sunday in Abuja, said that the late Joshua impacted millions of lives across Nigeria and the globe.
He said that he was saddened to hear about the death of T.B Joshua, at a young age of 57.
“TB Joshua was a devout man of God who served God and humanity with relentless passion.
“He was a man of sound doctrine, meek and faithful to his call and passion of reconciling men to God and offering hope to humanity.
“As a Christian leader, TB Joshua and his ministry exemplified Christ in faith, love and charity; positively impacting the lives of many Nigerians, Africans and millions of people across the world.
“I condole with his family, his church and millions of his followers across the world. May God grant them peace and strength to cope with this loss,” Jonathan said.
The former president also prayed God to grant millions of Joshua’s followers across the world the strength to cope with his exit.
Similarly, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has described the death of the Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCoAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua (T.B. Joshua) as a rude shock.
This is contained in a statement released to journalists yesterday in Akure by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi.
Adams said that the death of his brother and kinsman, Joshua, was so painful and devastating.
Adams described the late prophet as an ‘Iroko’ tree and an abode for many.
“T.B. Joshua found favour in spreading the Gospel of God through his ministry.
“According to the words of God in the Bible, the Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets.
“ It is very difficult for me to come to terms with the reality of his death. It was very sad. Prophet T.B. Joshua lived and died for God. His life was a complete definition of God’s generousity and philosophy.”
The Onakankafo said that Joshua was very humble, gentle and generous to a fault.
“His large – heart knows no tribe, colour, ethnic, language or religion. He was simply a winner of souls which spread beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“Joshua opened a new vista in religious tourism and Nigeria earned a lot in terms of foreign exchange from his accommodating spirit. With his death, there has been an eclipse in God’s vineyard,” he said.
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has also sent its condolences to the family of the late Prophet Temitope Joshua and the worshippers at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCoAN) on the demise of Prophet TB Joshua.
The Chairman of CLO in Anambra, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, said that the death of Joshua was shocking, but “as mortals, we cannot question God’’.
According to Ezekwueme, I thank God for a purposeful, dedicated, devoted and God fearing life he lived.
He said, “He won many souls for Christ and rendered selfless services to God and humanity.
“His believe in the assertion of St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta that one has not lived unless he lives for others deserved commendations and emulation.’’
The CLO boss prayed God to forgive his shortcomings and grant eternal repose to his gentle and humble soul in paradise.
Also the member representing Akure North and South in the House of Representatives, Mr Adedayo Omolafe, has described the late Prophet Temitope Joshua, Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), as an exemplary patriotic leader.
Omolafe made this known in a condolence message addressed to the deceased family and made available to newsmen in Akure yesterday.
“He was a refined man of God, an illustrious son of Ondo State who dedicated his life to the service of God and the people.
“The founder of the Synagogue Church has been one of Africa’s most influential preachers and an exemplary patriot.
“His incalculable contributions to Akokoland and Ondo State in general will be remembered for years to come.
In the same vein, Prophet T. B. Joshua, founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations(SCOAN), former National Secretary, Labour Party, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has said that the cleric attracted the largest number of tourists to the country.
“His death is a huge loss to Ondo State, Nigeria and Africa. He attracted so many tourists to the state, the country and Africa,” Ajulo said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
He described Joshua’s death as “shocking”, adding that his exit represented an irreparable loss to Nigeria.
The human rights Lawyer also described Joshua as a “very compassionate and gold-hearted Religious leader”.
“With the shocking demise of Prophet T. B. Joshua, Nigeria has lost a religious leader whose numerous activities have positively influenced the nation, the downtrodden and his followers,” he said.
The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.
The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.
