Nigerian televangelist and philanthropist Temitope Balogun Joshua passed away Saturday aged 57 of unknown causes. He died after a church program and left behind a wife and three children.
The televangelist, popularly called T.B. Joshua, founded the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Nigeria. SCOAN is regarded as one of the biggest churches in the world with a massive following across the globe. It has branches in Ghana, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Greece, among others.
T.B. Joshua is also the founder of Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network that has millions of viewers worldwide. His influence spread beyond praying and healing the sick to offering spiritual guidance to politicians and footballers.
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Many African politicians, footballers, top government officials, musicians, and other high-profile guests have worshiped in his Church. Recent examples include Ghana’s late President John Evans Atta-Mills and footballer Richard Kingston.
“God has taken His servant Prophet T.B Joshua home — as it should be by divine will,” the church said in a statement on Sunday announcing his death, adding that “his last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for, and died for.”
The statement added that T.B. Joshua “leaves a legacy of service and sacrifice to God’s Kingdom that is living for generations yet unborn.”
The Nigerian preacher was born in Ondo State, Nigeria on June 12, 1963. He grew up from a poverty-stricken home to found an international ministry in 1983.
Recently, Forbes profiled him as one of the top five richest pastors in Nigeria. At the time, Forbes estimated his net worth to be between $10 million – $15 million. According to Celebrity Net Worth, T.B. Joshua made his fortune as the most controversial Christian minister, televangelist, and faith healer.
Aside from his net worth, T.B. Joshua is also known for his philanthropic works. According to Forbes, he has spent over $20 million to causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants, sex workers, and repentant armed robbers, among others, who come to his church for deliverance.
He has also given aid to several distressed communities, including donations to the police force in Nigeria and Colombia. He also sent a team of medical personnel and aid workers during the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
T.B. Joshua was a recipient of several awards. In 2008, he received the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government. He was also voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet Irohin-Odua. Also, the Africa Report and New Africa Magazine called him one of Africa’s 50 most influential people.
