A large number of people in Arigidi Akoko, in the Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been mourning the death of the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly called TB Joshua.
This is just as his elder brother, Mr Abimbola Balogun, on Monday said he saw the late pastor last, eight months ago, when he advised him to always show love to the people.
Joshua died in Lagos on Saturday at the age of 57.
One of our correspondents reports that since the death of the cleric was announced in Arigidi Akoko, his hometown, the community had been wearing a mournful look.
A source told our correspondent, “Market and shops are closed in Arigidi Akoko and the nearby towns and villages to honour the departed cleric.”
Also speaking on Monday, Balogun, who said he was in a state of disbelief, described his late younger brother as a God-sent to the family and the entire community because of his philanthropic gestures that had positively affected the lives of many people in the area.
He said, “I saw my brother last, eight months ago; and during that encounter, he advised me to love the people around me and I that should avoid too much love for money.
“We will miss him because he was our breadwinner; the entire community will miss him.”
A friend of late TB Joshua, who is also the traditional ruler of Gedegede Akoko, Oba Walidu Sanni, said the downtrodden, widows, persons with disabilities and the elderly would miss him for his benevolence.
Also, the Chairman of the Akoko North West LGA, Ayodele Akande, who paid a condolence visit to the family of the late pastor in Arigidi Akoko, described him as “an exceptional humble and generous person.”
Okowa mourns, worshippers, beneficiaries sign condolence register
Meanwhile, hundreds of members and beneficiaries on Monday were at the church to pay their respect to the cleric, just as the family brought out condolence registers.
A member, Catherine Adeko, described the spiritual leader as a man of honor, saying, “I will never forget my man of God. He taught us so many things. Even if he is no longer here to lay hands on me, his teachings and training will forever abide with me”
Oba Ashimiyu Dada-Otta, the traditional ruler of Egbe, Elegbe of Egbeland, in the Ikotun area where the church is located also came to pay his respect.
One of our correspondents noted that hundreds of worshipers, beneficiaries and others waited patiently in the queue to sign condolence registers at two points.
Although people were not allowed to stay long at any of the points, one of our correspondents glimpsed some messages when he signed one of the registers.
source : PUNCH
