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 Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
South East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu considering his commitment to achieving a practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly angered by the Senate’s rejection of the need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent 1993 elections stormed out of the Senate Chambers and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .
Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the Nigerian Military is committed to facilitating sustainable food security in the country through the establishment of farms.
Musa said this in Abuja yesterday during the unveiling of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products Logo.
He noted that the agricultural sector played crucial role in guaranteeing food security which was requisite for sustainable national security.
He said that the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the country had continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security.
According to him, to address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative.
“This is with the aim of keying into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the country.
“The initiative which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of my leadership concept is aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country.
“Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security.
“With similar initiatives replicated across the country, I envision a future characterised by modernised farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development.”
The CDS enjoined all members of the Armed Forces and the general public to embrace the initiative and maximise its associated gains.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, for his sterling leadership and relentless pursuit of national peace, security and economic prosperity.
He also appreciated the efforts of members of the committee who worked assiduously to actualise the initiative.
Earlier, the Chairman, Defence Farms Committee,