Nigerian pastor TB Joshua passes away
The pastor and televangelist TB Joshua has passed away at age 57.
The controversial pastor's death was reported by social media posts on his official Twitter account and by several news reports.
Joshua was the leader and founder of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a church that runs the Emmanuel television station in Lagos, Nigeria.
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His official Twitter account reports that he passed away on Saturday.
God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home – as it should be by divine will. His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for.
— TB Joshua (@SCOANTBJoshua) June 6, 2021
Pastor TB Joshua has a large following in South Africa, with multiple branches across the country.
He has South African congregants that have travelled to Nigeria to attend his church services, including EFF CIC Julius Malema.
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He visited the church in Lagos in 2013 shortly after forming the party. Malema said he sought blessings and counsel from Joshua.
The EFF shared a statement of condolence on Twitter following the news of Joshua's death.
EFF Statement On The Passing Of Prophet TB Joshua pic.twitter.com/9vgwTYeCcB
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 6, 2021
One of Joshua's controversial highlights as a pastor came in 2014 when a group of followers from South Africa visited Joshua's church in Lagos. The trip ended tragically when 84 South Africans were killed after a six-storey guesthouse connected to the televangelist collapsed. A total of 116 people died.
The inquest verdict attributed the disaster to structural failures and found the building did not go through appropriate architectural procedures.
Condolences from his followers and supporters have been pouring in from all over the world.
2016 me and my brother obiora were in SCOAN together to worship in prophet TB JOSHUA'S ministry, in that man I saw humility, and I saw godliness, rest in peace sir.
— NWA-KA-IBE-YA 👑 (@KingElvD_1st) June 6, 2021
God give your family the fortitude to bear the loss
I’m seeing rumours that Tb Joshua is dead. My heart is beating really fast but let’s hear from SCOAN. Until then Prophet TB Joshua is celebrating his birthday on June 12th!. #Emmanuel #goodmorning #wintoday
— Light | Heartbreak Survivor (@lightoflightss) June 6, 2021
TB Joshua was very benevolent to Nigerian footballers.Sponsored many of them & even paid for surgeries for injured ones when his prayers didn't heal them. I remember Daniel Amokachi spending a lot of time at SCOAN at the height of the injury that ultimately ended his career.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) June 6, 2021
The cause of TB Joshua's death has not yet been disclosed.
May TB Joshua's soul rest in peace. We send out our condolences to his family and followers.
Main Image Courtesy: @626Blaze