A date for the burial of the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Temitope Joshua, popularly known as T.B Joshua, has been revealed by the family.
T.B Joshua may be buried on July 9, 2021, in the premises of his church in Lagos State.
A family member of the late cleric, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Sunday, disclosed that the date was fixed after the immediate and extended members of the family met at the residence of T.B Joshua in Lagos State on Friday.
“The extended family members, his (Joshua) wife, and children held a meeting on Friday and it was decided that he should be buried in Lagos and the burial program will be between July 5 and 9.
“It was on the insistence of the wife and the children that the other family members agree on the place of burial, because they said they saw revelations that he should be buried in Lagos. Since they said it was spiritual, the family agreed with them,” the source disclosed.
Federal Character, however, understands that the decision of the family is contrary to the expectation of the monarch of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, and some other traditional rulers in the Akoko area, who wanted the late pastor buried in his hometown, Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State.
The Ondo traditional rulers were of the opinion that if the late cleric was taken to his hometown for burial, it would further give the town global recognition as the deceased’s worshippers all over the world would want to visit it to see his tomb and would also make the church to continue the project already embarked upon by the late founder.
But the family member said the wife, Evelyn, and the children of the late cleric prevailed on the other family members over the burial date and venue at the meeting.
Reacting to the latest development, one of the community leaders in Akokoland, Chief Ladi Bello, said since the decision had been taken on the burial arrangement of the deceased, the ongoing project left behind in Arigidi Akoko by T.B Joshua should not be abandoned.
Meanwhile, the church of the late pastor (SCOAN) did not hold any of its three services on Sunday as the church remained shut.
Its main gate, however, remained open for pedestrians, church staff, and visitors.
T.B Joshua died last week in Lagos State at the age of 57.
