It was a cascade of tears, whimpering sobs and free flow of emotions on Friday afternoon as the remains of renowned televangelist and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, were lowered six feet beneath the ground in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.

The 57-year-old was buried on the premises of his church in Lagos. He was buried in the presence of his widow, Evelyn; his children, family members and other loved ones.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, his Lagos counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi and other guests were in attendance at the interment.

Gov Akeredolu and the immediate family of late T.B Joshua

Joshua was buried after a week-long funeral service which climaxed on Friday afternoon.

T.B Joshua, who was born on June 12, 1963, had planned to celebrate his 58th birthday on June 12, 2021, before he died on June 5, 2021.

Gov Akeredolu and Widow of T.B Joshua, Evelyn

He hailed from Arigidi Akoko, in Ondo State, and founded the Synagogue Church in 1987. The church, which has its headquarters in Lagos, accommodates over 15,000 worshippers per gathering. The church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece.

Joshua was one of the richest and philanthropic pastors in Nigeria; he was estimated to worth over $15m in 2011, according to Forbes.

Wife of Ooni, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi and Gov Akeredolu

Speaking at the funeral service, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu noted that Ondo state, Nigeria and humanity in general has lost a rare gem.

The final resting place

He recalled how the late prophet impacted his people positively saying his philanthropic gesture would be greatly missed.

The widow, Evelyn performing dust to dust rites on the body of his husband.

Governor Akeredolu prayed for the repose of his soul and the fortitude to bear the loss of the televangelist.

PUNCH

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