Encomium
+Thousands besiege Synagogue from other countries for aids
Prophet T B Joshua’s popularity is soaring higher than before amongst African countries. And this is not unconnected to the fact that he recently splashed N16 million as humanitarian aids to Sierra Leone President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma to combat the surge of Ebola in his country. He also gave them 4000 bottles of his anointed water as spiritual aide to fight the outbreak.
In a move aimed at supporting some Ebola-stricken countries, founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B Joshua confirmed to Encomium Weekly exclusively on Thursday, August 21,2014 that the Sierra Leonean government were sent the cash and 4000 bottles of his ‘anointing water’ to spiritually fortify the country in their fight against the deadly disease. And explained, “A private jet hired at $50,000 conveyed the spiritual items to the country yesterday.”
He also added that an extra $50,000 was given to victims of the disease as donated by him and his ‘Emmanuel TV partners.”
“Ebola is not Nigeria’s challenge. Our challenge is insecurity. It is a strange ailment. That someone from another country who came for an ECOWAS meeting and died of Ebola does not mean Nigeria is not safe,” he stated, adding that fear-mongering in the media was only making matters worse.
“To the extent we talk bad about Nigeria, to that same extent our name is destroyed,” the cleric defiantly continued, bemoaning the name Nigeria was being given in the international community because of the news projected.
“This is a country under repair because of what Boko Haram has done to the nation. Don’t damage it more. This nation is safe. If there is any challenge, we have what it takes to surmount it,” he stated, calling on Nigerians to learn from the way Ghana protected the name of their nation.
“The five deaths recorded in Nigeria did not warrant a state of emergency as announced by President Goodluck Jonathan. All of this is propaganda,” He stated.
“When a little thing happens, you exaggerate it because you are looking for funds. How much can the international community give to us that can redeem the name Nigeria we are soiling? A beggar always remains a beggar. Africa, stop begging. You have what it takes to solve your problems.”
Joshua said he was saddened by the news that some African nations had closed their borders to the countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, stating that it destroys the purpose of African unity.
“What is the meaning of African unity? The wound of an African is the wound of all Africans. The wound of one is the wound of all. A nation that stands to solve the problem of other nations will become successful,” he added. “We should rise and see the wound of others as our wound. Stand up to the occasion and help instead of closing your borders against your African brothers.”
Joshua concluded that giving citizens proper education about the disease was important but the spread of the disease should not be maliciously exaggerated.
“That does not mean you should use it to destroy the name of Nigeria as if it is here. It’s not! Protection and prevention should be our assignment in Nigeria.
“To prove the love and unity we preach, $100,000 (N16 million) and bottles of anointed water were given as aide to Sierra Leone. A private jet hired at $50,000 conveyed the spiritual items to the country. An extra $50,000 was given to victims of the disease as donated by me and Emmanuel TV Partners. It was done to challenge everybody to rise and help heal a bleeding nation. ”
Joe Fayia Nyuma, representing the Sierra Leone High Commission to Nigeria claims that the request for anointed water came straight from the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma himself. He said T.B Joshua sent $50,000 donation, 4,000 bottles of anointed water on a chartered jet, costing an additional $50,000. Nyuma said that the anointed water will be used to “Curb the deadly Ebola yoke that is about to destroy our nation”.
Meanwhile, ENCOMIUM Weekly’s checks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, August 21, 2014, and Saturday, August 24, 2014, revealed that amidst Ebola scare, foreigners, especially Africans, have been trooping into the country to have a taste of Prophet T.B Joshua’s healing water. Shockingly, seven out of the 10 foreigners who landed in the country came to Synagogue to see him. Our checks revealed that most of them are from Namibia, USA, South Africa, Zambia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, amongst others. One of the spokespersons for Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Segun, claimed that “The rate at which people from neighbouring countries are trooping to Synagogue confirms the statement by UK Guardian that the largest singular convergence of foreigners weekly is Synagogue.
“In fact, I have lost count today the number of foreigners I have admitted into this country whose port of call is Synagogue”.
A few of the foreigners we also spoke with admitted that though people are scared of travelling due to Ebola surge, due to the sensitization and enlightenment word from Prophet Joshua they have defied the news to visit SCOAN. On Friday, August 22, 2014, we contacted the spokesperson for Synagogue, Irene, who confirmed that “just in a day, they have welcomed over 5,000 foreigners who have just arrived to see the man of God.”
– TADE ASIFAT and FEMI OYEWALE
