I was in far away Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi
State that day; my phones kept ringing like hell.
Since we were in the middle of a guided tour of
the abandoned multi-million dollars steel
company, I switched them to vibration mode. Yet
minute-by-minute, the phones kept buzzing,
forcing one to attend to the caller, who happened
to be an old classmate.
“I just finished reading your story in The
Guardian. In fact, I had to call someone who gave
me your number. Please, I need to see you,” he
said excitedly as if he had just won big money
from Baba Ijebu.
At first, I was confused, but at the same time, I
played along and promised to meet him in Lagos
on my return. However, in my mind, I kept
wondering, which story could this be?
I had written few copies before I embarked on
that revealing assignment, so it was a bit difficult
to ascertain the particular story my good friend
talked about.
Thank God for Blackberry; I quickly logged on to
The Guardian website. Low and behold, it was the
story on TB Joshua titled, ‘Inside TB Joshua’s
Synagogue... The Myth, The Reality’, published in
the Guardian of Sunday June 10. I actually did
that report ahead of the prophet’s 50th
anniversary. In fact, I had totally forgotten the
story was to be published that week.
Without waiting to return back to Lagos, I called
my friend back that evening just to know his
interest in the story. “When I saw that you were
the one that did the interview with TB Joshua, I
told some of my friends that we were classmates.
My brother, if you know how people, including
some of my relatives, struggle to see the
prophet... Since then, I’ve not rested o; they want
me to link them up to you so you could help
them see the man of God,” he revealed.
At this point, I recalled my experience with a
group of South Africas during a training workshop
in Bramfontein, Johannesburg last year. As soon
as I introduced myself as a journalist from
Nigeria, prophet TB Joshua’s name came up;
they seem to know him very well in that part of
the world. In fact, the way the ladies spoke about
The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN),
one would think they were talking of Jerusalem or
Rome. Without being told, you could tell that they
are ardent followers of the Emmanuel TV; they
know about the miracles.
Just recently, I laid my hands on a copy of the
Mail & Guardian newspapers of September 6,
2013. On the cover of the leading South African
newspaper, is a story on the visit of the ousted
ANC Youth League Leader, Julius Malema, to the
Synagogue Church Of All Nations. According to
the spokesperson for the Economic Freedom
Fighters (EFF) Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, who was part of
the pilgrimage to the ‘super prophet’, Malema
stayed for a week at the church doing “lots of
reading, watching sermons and prophecies.” He
reportedly met with the prophet, though details of
of their meeting were never disclosed.
In South Africa, it is believed that Malema’s visit
to the prophet is unconnected with his effort to
“create friendship with his son of Africa and his
congregation, and ask for blessings for the
journey ahead,” in his political struggle.
Written by Varashni Pillay, the report also took
into account some influential men, who have
once visited TB Joshua in Lagos. The list
included Malema’s on time mentor, Winni
Madikizela-Mandla, Malawi’s former president
Bingu wa Mutharika, who later died after a
prophecy by TB Joshua to that effect, and
Zimbabwe’s Morgan Tsangirai. Some popular
South African rugby players are also regulars at
SCOAN.
In the same edition, another reporter. Monica
Mark, also did a report on how residents are
cashing in on the thousands of tourists, who
attended TB Joshua’s church. Titled Super-
pastor’s cup runneth over, the reporter’s diary
chronicled the economic side of SCOAN, with
focus on the ancillary businesses that have since
cropped up around the church. From hotels to
money-changers, hawkers, restaurants, mama
put... it’s a whole business chain, with residents
constantly making brisk business.
Aside from South Africa, the UK Guardian of
September 2, 2013, also devoted its half page to
a story on TB Joshua titled, preacher’s spiritual
healing brings big bucks to Lagos, with a rider,
Business booming in streets around church that
draws 50,000 worshipers a week.
By the time you do your arithmetic with this
figure, then you begin to understand the level of
economic transaction and foreign exchange
SCOAN ears for Nigeria on a daily basis. Now, is
this not a typical case of ‘a prophet is without
honour in his own country?’
Last year in Zimbabwe, the police investigated a
Harare church, which claimed to be affiliated to
TB Joshua, after scores of people reported to
have paid thousands of dollars for trips to the
Nigeria, which never materialised. The church,
which is based in Sunridge, Mabelreign, allegedly
promised members trips to TB Joshua’s
Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN). Of
course, TB Joshua is reputed across Africa to
have mythical healing powers, which has seen
thousands of people from around the world with
various personal problems and ailments flocking
to his church.
So, don’t blame those who paid their way just to
see the prophet.
Claiming to be operating under the express
direction and instruction of TB Joshua, the Harare
church was also selling bottles of”holy water”
allegedly used by the preacher for his healing
sessions. Dozens of desperate people seeking a
quick solution to their life problems were shelling
out up to US$50 for a bottle of the “miracle
water,” which TB Joshua is said to give out for
free.
But the scam was exposed after TB Joshua
issued a statement distancing his organisation
from the Harare church, forcing its members to
rush to the police in a bid to recover their money.
Hmmm, at last, the world is the world is seeing
something positive in Nigeria. Unfortunately, back
home, it’s a different ball game.
Notwithstanding, on June 12, TB Joshua’s 50th
birthday, the Synagogue Church of All Nations
(SCOAN) was fully loaded with guests. But
surprisingly, the prophet was not at the event to
celebrate his birthday. Instead, he preferred to go
to the mountain to commune with his creator.
Notwithstanding his absence, the birthday bash
went on as planned - his men took charge of
events.
Notable among guests at the event were former
PMAN president and renowned flutist, Tee-Mac
Itseli, who performed some of his evergreen
songs. Comedians Julius Agwu, Lepacious Bose
and MC Abbey were also present, including the
King of Comedy, Ali Baba, who anchored the
programme.
All through his Golden Jubilee celebration,
Joshua hammered on job creation and need to
help the poor.
“We must get jobs for people who are jobless.
This is the number on project for my 50th
birthday; I’m going to purse it. Graduates are
everywhere without a job.” he said.
The following Sunday, Prophet Joshua set the ball
rolling as part of efforts aimed at fulfilling his
promises. Already, some organsations, within and
outside the country, are buying into his job
creation project, including the MBA Tour group,
who visited the church that Sunday, to announce
their partnership with Emmanuel TV.
Speaking at the event, the West African
representative of the MBMA Tour, Ms Hannah
Bertillia Acquah said her organisaton and SCOAN
share mutual goals. “You have a wonderful man
of God, who is passionate about people. He sees
success from failure; he sees gold when there’s
still clay. It is a pleasure to associated with
Emmanuel TV and Prophet TB Joshua.”
Describing the MBA Tour as a platform that
encourages people to look beyond their limits,
Ms Hannah said that based on the partnership,
Prophet Joshua has agreed to assist some youths
with financial scholarship to take the programme.
“Our partnership will enable African students, who
demonstrate outstanding potentials, access to
fellows at the world’s top business schools and
academic institutions, including MIT Sloan School
of Management; Yale School of Management;
Columbia Business School; Harvard Business
School; Erasmus University and others.”
That day, the whole church erupted in jubilation
as the prophet read letters from big organsations
from around the would, ready to provide jobs for
young Africans through the prophet’s initiative.
With national flag of different countries held high
by some members of the congregation, it was
obvious that SCOAN has become a worldwide
movement; that was my first time in the Sunday
service.
While those that made it into Synagogue early
soaked in anointing, latecomers struggled to gain
access. No way! “If you don’t have number, you
can’t go inside,” one of the security operatives
warned.
Even at that, a certain lady, who acted as if her
continuous existence in this world depended on
her seeing the prophet that day, begged
uncontrollably; others followed. Before you knew
what was happening, three was a large crowd,
seeking to set their eyes on the man of God.
Could all these people be wrong? Again, don’t
forget that upon release from prison, Major
Hamza al-Mustapha, a Muslim, made TB
Joshua’s Synagogue his first port of call...
With all these, I counted myself lucky to have had
the privilege of meeting the super-Prophet one-
on-one. Unfortunately, my mission has nothing to
do with seeing miracles; it t was purely an official
assignment and I intend to keep it at that.
But he, a ‘bad egg’ would have used that
opportunity to make so much money from
gullible ‘miracle seekers;’ like those chaps in
Zimbabwean church did. Oh, you doubt it?
All right, look at it it this way... what if I had
collected $50 each from those ’miracle seeks,’
including my former classmate and his group,
with the promise of linking them to the prophet?
With the thousands of people trooping there daily,
how much do you think I would have made by
now? Don’t bother how I would convince them to
drop; that interview with TB Joshua is enough
‘seeing is believing’. Now you are laughing abi?
But on a serious note, behind that structure called
Synagogue, there are hundreds of activities going
on; both spiritual and physical. Behind the man
TB Joshua, there’s even much more going on.
Most importantly, while Nigerians jet into Mecca
and Jerusalem yearly to spend their hard earned
money to seek the face of God, we now have our
Synagogue, where miracle seekers from all over
the world come on a weekly basis to spend their
hard currencies and return home with a positive
news about Naija.
Written By Chuks Nwanne
