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Boko Who??? Foreigners Flocked To Nigeria For T.B. Joshua’s Birthday
Despite the picture painted by international media, it appears the pull of a Nigerian Pastor has surpassed the fear of Boko Haram when it comes to tourism in Nigeria.
The scene at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday 12th June 2014 was lively.
The steady stream of foreign arrivals, smiling happily and waving national flags, bore no semblance with the international travel warnings leveled at Nigeria, largely due to the terrorist activities of Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram.
When this reporter inquired as to the reason of the exotic influx, the answer from various individuals and airport employees was unanimous – Nigeria’s controversial yet celebrated pastor, T.B. Joshua, who turned 51 today.
“In fact, the entire flight from South Africa was filled with T.B. Joshua visitors,” a SAA employee told me on the condition of anonymity. “It was the same thing yesterday too. Southern Africa can’t seem to get enough of the pastor.”
Officials at the airport I spoke to reckoned that almost 5,000 foreigners had arrived in Nigeria over the last few days to attend Joshua’s church and felicitate with him.
“Nearly 50 Russians arrived today,” one of the ground staff told me. “It was Americans and Brits yesterday, not to mention those that came from Zimbabwe and Zambia; they must have reached more than 500. They all came to visit Synagogue.”
According to recent statistics from the Nigerian Immigration Service six out of every ten foreign travellers coming into Nigeria are bound for The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN).
The scene at the airport certainly attested to this, the majority of people wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the logo of Joshua’s popular television station Emmanuel TV.
“T.B. Joshua is probably the greatest tourist attraction Nigeria has ever produced,” a taxi driver named Ibrahim who plies his trade at the airport reckoned. “I take people from the airport to Synagogue everyday but this last week especially has been busier than ever.”
The cleric, however, has played down the event, telling followers on Sunday that he would not be celebrating his birthday with any special ceremony.
He stated the current security situation in Nigeria did not reflect the need for any ostentatious festivity, adding that he feels what people in society are feeling.
Joshua encouraged congregants to remember his birthday by praying for their nation, stating that the ‘birthday gift’ he is asking from God is the release of the over 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok over a month ago.
T.B. Joshua was born on June 12th 1963 in a humble home in Arigidi, Ondo State, Nigeria. He is best known for his prophecies, miracles and charitable activities, as well as his online influence.
A Facebook post on Joshua’s official page wishing the cleric happy birthday had already attracted more than 50,000 comments from well-wishers worldwide as at the time of filing this report.
Nigerian actress, Tonto Dikeh, who earlier stated that Joshua’s prayers helped end her 14 year smoking addiction, was among those who congratulated the pastor via her Instagram account.
Ihechukwu Njoku – freelance Nigerian journalist
Posted by Kunda
on June 16, 2014. Filed under AROUND AFRICA.
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Servant of God
June 16, 2014 at 1:42 pm
God will continue to bless the Prophet for he is one sent for our faithless generation.Influx of tourists to the SCOAN will even grow more as more dignitaries will join.
Trixy
June 16, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Amen to that!!
St Anastazia
June 16, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Ooh Happy 51st Birthday to my Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua!!!! What a great gift he is to me. May God continue blessing him and bless all that need God through him. I pray that God gives me the money for a pilgrimage to Scoan I wanna go and pray with the Man of God.
Chapwa
June 16, 2014 at 5:53 pm
TB Joshua is one of the true false prophets Jesus warned us about(Matthew 24).
By the way TB Joshua, is the Malaysia missing flight MH370?
One time
June 16, 2014 at 11:21 pm
He is the true man of God T.B . Joshua . may almighty God increase your days
Kenneth Mbewe
June 16, 2014 at 11:38 pm
I am shocked about the extase going on over this man called T.B. Joshua. In fact T.B. Joshua is just common Nigerian conman who have gained millions at the expense of ignorant people. Zambians have fallen prey to this conman who escaped poverty by declaring himself a prophet. I wish that our own prophet creation Alice Lenshina would have still be living to prophesize in Nigeria. It is just a shame that TUMFWEKO has allowed itself to be sponsored by this man to mislead my fellow zambians.
wilson
June 17, 2014 at 7:28 am
I Bless God for the life of my father prophet TB Joshua may the GOD who answers by fire add more years to your life
edav
June 17, 2014 at 8:34 am
JESUS CHRIST
charry
June 17, 2014 at 8:43 am
happy birth day daddy TB Joshua
jordan
June 17, 2014 at 8:58 am
i thank God for ur birthday papa TB joshue
kaposu
June 21, 2014 at 10:50 am
TB joshua specializes in getting money from hyponotized fools who idolize him,he can’t handle real issues like Boko Haram
agami
June 21, 2014 at 10:58 am
Ba prophet ba bufi,he can’t go where somewhere to solve problems coz he doesn’t want to spend but he wud rather have pipo follow him cos its cheaper and safer on his side
SCOAN
June 21, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Sangoma Church Of Abhorrent Nationals