Catholic Archbishop Okojie, Alhaji Balarabe Musa Speak on TB Joshua's Relocation to Israel

News of Prophet T.B. Joshua's alleged relocation to Israel has continued to draw a spate of reactions, especially from distinguished Nigerians within government and religious circles.

In an interview with Nigeria's Daily Times Newspaper, Cardinal Olubunmi Okojie, the fiery Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, gave his comments on the contentious issue via phone from a London hospital bed.

"The man of God should not be intimidated over hostility by government or any other body because that is a true indication that God is working out His purpose in the midst of His people," counselled Okojie.

The outspoken cardinal reminded Joshua of the persecution experienced by Jesus Christ during His time on earth, encouraging him to draw strength from such remembrance.

"All His disciples' ministries followed the same pattern, so Joshua should not remove from the midst of his own people who need him greatly," the aged Archbishop noted.

"He may not even realise the impact of what his ministry is doing to the poor and needy beside healing and setting captives free. Let him stay in his own country and minister to the rest of the world as he is doing," Okojie concluded.

Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the former Governor of Kaduna state, opined that Israel has enough of its own challenges to deal with and the leader of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) would do well to remain in his homeland.

"What is T.B. Joshua's reason for deciding to move his wonderful ministry from his own country to another country," the elder statesman questioned.

"If he is accusing the Lagos State Government of persecution, why does he feel that he will have religious sympathy in Israel rather than any other country, considering the fact that Israel has a tremendous amount of problems."

Musa called on the popular cleric to "rethink" his resolution, citing Israel's multiple "internal problems with the outside world" as a determining factor.

Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua People's Congress (OPC), equally lent his voice to the trending topic.

"Prophet T.B. Joshua's exit from Nigeria would be one brain drain incident too many," Fasehun firmly told reporters.

The medical doctor cum political leader stated that if The SCOAN founder did indeed leave the country, it would be "a tragedy of no mean proportions and a national embarrassment".

Fasehun described Joshua as one of the spiritual titans whose prayers were "helping sustain the peace and sanity of this country," calling on Nigerians to join together with one voice to appeal to the cleric to rescind his decision.

Another group upset with Joshua's purported decision to depart Nigeria is the community closest to the Church whose local businesses literally revolve around The SCOAN's activities.

"A good number of us have been praying and fasting for God to change the mind of Prophet T.B. Joshua because the man of God doesn't know how much his Church is providing for and sustaining our families," a concerned resident told Daily Times.

"It will be catastrophic if The SCOAN is removed to another country because if it happens, many people may commit suicide," he solemnly declared, insisting that he was "not exaggerating".

Okojie, Musa and Fasehun join the plethora of other prominent Nigerians who have called on Joshua to remain in Nigeria, citing his positive impact in the fields of Nigeria's economy, tourism and image abroad.

Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian journalist.