‘TB Joshua’s death, blow to religious tourism’

He was called the ‘People’s Prophet’. He was a man with a heart for the people. His life’s goal was to touch people’s lives with the gospel and philanthropy, especially the less-privileged. The late Prophet Temitope Balogun (T.B.) Joshua would be remembered for his role in spurring religious tourism in the Lagos suburb, Ikotun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Assistant Editor (Arts), OZOLUA UHAKHEME, reports.

The socio-economic activities of Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State may have been altered last week, no thanks to the demise of charismatic pastor, philanthropist and Founder Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua last Saturday, aged 57. He would have turned 58 this Saturday, June 12.

The Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State-born televangelist was not just a famous pastor for his healing ministry, but also a big philanthropist. His sudden death, no doubt, is a huge loss to Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa because of his  contributions to religious tourism that have positively impacted the nation, the downtrodden and his followers especially.

No less than 100 medium and low size hotels are located in Ikotun community that depends on patronages from worshipers and tourists to the church. In the last one year, these hotels have been operating below capacity due to COVID-19 pandemic.Today, operators of these hotels are apprehensive of the consequences of Joshua’s death on their businesses.

Michael Akaniyene of Victoria Continental Hotel, said: “Hospital industry thrives here, especially on weekends. But with his death, we might not start seeing the impact now because the church service has not resumed fully because of COVID-19. Again, more hotels are springing up hoping that after COVID-19 business will bloom again. Unfortunately, his death will cause huge setback to hotel owners because the church may no longer receive the large size of visitors and worshippers as before.

‘’The church visitors and worshippers are our major customers. Also, taxi operators are also connected to our business. Bureau de change operators too will not be left out of the impact. His death means a lot to the people especially the widows and orphans who he always assist. And because of his presence here in Ikotun axis, the residents enjoy some level of power supply. Even he donated a generator to the community recently.”

A supervisor at the Globus Supermarket, Mr. Christopher Ehijele, noted that they recorded very low sales on Sunday, following the sad news of Joshua’s death. He stated that many people rushed to the church instead of coming to buy things from the supermarket. “Unfortunately, because of the lock down, foreigners have not been attending the church which has affected our sales. It is a big blow to our business,” he stated.

Managing Director Hardrock Hotel,  Chiyem Aghado said: “We will be losing business and we will miss him. It is a bad one for the hotel business and the people around too. I pray the church will continue to grow.”

Omowunmi Ayoade and Mrs Nkechi Olakunle both staff members of Hymax Hotel and Suites simply summed the impact of Joshua’s death thus: “It will be much on our hotel business. Egbe community will miss him. Many of the hotel owners are in serious trauma since the death of TB. But, what can we do? God will see us through.”

Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, described Joshua as a committed tourism promoter with a huge contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said the church has the largest network of religious tourism in Nigeria that cuts across 15 countries.

“Each time the church is holding its major event over 60 private jets will be parked at the Lagos Airport. Also, all hotels in Ikeja axis are always fully booked. In fact, I am impressed by his contributions to tourism development in the country.

“If 100 travellers from other African countries such as Zambia, Uganda and South Africa, are applying for Nigeria’s visa, over 70 will be heading to Synagogue. Each year, the number of foreigners the church attract to Nigeria is monumental and a major boost to our tourism. In fact, I am impressed by his contributions.  I pray the church authority will handle the succession process peacefully so that the image of the church will remain unblemished after Joshua’s death,” Runsewe said.

Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr.  Folorunsho Coker described the late man of God as a great influential pillar of society who reached to the globe. He stated that though Prophet Joshua has left for the great beyond, his teachings will continue to bring worshippers to the church on pilgrimage to TB Joshua. Coker noted that there may be a reduction in number of tourists for a while but that like religious tourists to other sites, it will pick up later.

“His death is a reminder that it is all by the grace of the almighty. His church will continue to flourish as another will pick up where he left off. His teachings will continue to bring worshipers to his church on a pilgrimage to TBJ. I think there may be a reduction for a while but look at pilgrimages to holy sites. It continues after life,” he added.

Former National Secretary, Labour Party, Dr Kayode Ajulo has described Joshua’s death as shocking, adding that his exit represented an irreparable loss to Nigeria, noting 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.

According to NAN report, the human rights lawyer described the late 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.

On his unfinished projects, Ajulo recalled how he had offered to give the late Joshua a huge parcel of land to relocate his church to Ifira Akoko, Ondo State, in the wake of the controversies that surrounded the death of worshippers at his church.

“I offered him a huge piece of land to relocate, but the man of God rejected the offer. He, instead, offered to make a huge donation to the entire Akoko kingdom,’’ he said.

He disclosed that Prophet Joshua sponsored many politicians in the area who were interested in seeking elective positions. He said  Joshua was also building a big university in Akoko and had also initiated the Akoko Mega City Project, a project which was expected to place Akoko on the world map, opening it for more economic opportunities.

Publisher African Travel Times Magazine, Mr. Lucky George described the sudden passing away of Prophet Joshua a big shock to him and millions of people around the world. According to him, the news came as a rumour and after a few phone calls early in the morning it was confirmed as true and by 7 am crowd of worshippers gathered crying uncontrollably.

“As for the tourism industry, a giant has gone and a big hole left opened that may be difficult to fill. For several years of my relationship with him, we talked tourism, tourism and tourism. Sometimes, he would quietly ask if the government values his contributions to the tourism industry in the country and I would say to him yes and that as Christians, his calling is beyond fishers of men, but creating an economy around a less known community of Ikotun,” he said.

He recalled that over 100 hotels were located around Ikotun community that depends on the patronage of about 150, 000 worshippers and visitors to the church every Sunday. “So what he left will serve as remembrance for tourists. What he contributed to the economy through religious tourism are things that make him happy. Besides, TB was a very humble fellow and apart from his spiritual prowess, he was also a generous man to many and redefined what Christianity is and should be. For me, it’s a big loss because he practically convinced me with his commitment to the tourism component of his church encouraged me to stay in travel journalism. Without doubt, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua is the greatest Ambassador that Nigeria would ever have,” he said.

Coordinator, Lagos State Chapter, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Mr. Gbenga Sunmonu, said the death of Prophet T.B. Joshua is a monumental loss to the tourism and hospitality industry.

“A lot of the hotels in the industry will be challenged if programmes executed are not in line with the man’s vision. Tourist’s inflow will definitely decline because his personality has cornered inflow to the SCOAN. Prophet T.B. Joshua has played his role and has made a contribution that will leave an indelible mark in the history of religious tourism in Lagos State,” he added.

The late Joshua, who was the third richest pastor in Nigeria and most influential in Africa was said to worth about $20 million. The Nation learnt that part of his unfinished projects include a five-star resort project located near the church in Ikotun worth billions naira, which is nearing completion.

Also, Senator Yormie Johnson, a Liberian prominent presidential candidate, was also at the same Sunday service with Weah. The fact that these two were attending at the same time did not go unnoticed by T.B. Joshua, who said it was not his place to choose sides.

According to Joshua, his own role is to pray for “the will of God” to be done in Liberia. He also revealed that he had been contacted by Liberia’s incumbent Vice President, Joseph Boakai. In his words: “We are not herbalists or witch-doctors; we are people of God. God’s choice is our choice. We cannot pray against God’s will. Without God’s corresponding power, we cannot pray to Him. For every step we take — every movement and action — intimation comes first. There must be a suggestion from the Spirit to move before we move. If truly I am a man of God, I must hear from God — move or don’t move,” he said.

Former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathanvisited the site of the collapsed SCOAN building in 2014. He was met by the prophet, who showed him around the site. The incident killed at least 86 persons, mostly South Africans.

The late Tanzania’s President Dr. John Magufuli,who was reportedly an Emmanuel TV partner and a regular visitor to SCOAN, visited Joshua first as the country’s Minister of Works in 2011. He was accompanied by his wife. Eventually, the Prophet returned the favour by visiting the president in his country.

But on November 3, 2015, Joshua was in Tanzania for the presidential inauguration. This visit resulted in a testimony from the president’s eldest son, who said he received ‘healing’ from a severe respiratory problem after the prophet prayed for him.

Ghana’s former President the late John Atta Millsannounced in 2009 that he had been a member of SCOAN for over 10 years. He said: “I am no stranger to this church. I have known the man-of-God for more than 10 years. I first met him when I was Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.”