Nigeria’s most famous and troubled pastor TB Joshua dies at 57 | Religious Affairs

The televangelist, who founded the Christian church in Lagos, has died for unknown reasons, his church said.

Temitope Balogun Joshua, a well-known but difficult preacher in Nigeria has died of an unknown condition, his church said on Facebook. He was 57 years old.

The preacher, known as TB Joshua, founded The Synagogue Church of All Nations, the largest Christian church in Lagos.

The father of three was one of Africa’s most famous preachers and millions of viewers on television and social media. More than 15,000 people from Nigeria and abroad attend his meetings on Sunday.

“God has taken His servant the Prophet TB Joshua home with him. His last moments on earth were used to serve God,” the church wrote on its Facebook page on Sunday, giving no further details.

One of the pastor’s lawyers, Olalekan Ojo, also confirmed his death.

“I confirm that the man of God, Pastor TB Joshua, died on Saturday evening in his evening program,” Ojo told AFP.

Ahmed Idris, of Al Jazeera, said from the Nigerian capital Abuja, that the preacher was one of the most respected pastors in Africa.

“It came to prominence in the 1990’s when television broadcasts exploded in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. He was one of the most followed preachers in Nigeria and [across] Africa, ”said Idris.

He is also known in South America where he held many religious meetings.

Conflicts

TB Joshua is known for his predictions and claims that he cures various ailments and enables people to perform miracles through miracles.

However, he was an opponent, while critics questioned his claims and said he benefited from people who wanted hope.

According to Forbes, he had a net worth of nearly a million dollars.

Many African leaders, government officials, international football players, musicians and other prominent guests have worshiped in his church.

In September 2014, a church lodge he fainted, killing more than 100 people, most of them foreigners who were in Nigeria to help him.

When officials said the building collapsed due to other incidents, TB Joshua confirmed that the building had been blown up by a small plane that he said had passed recently.

In April, the pastor’s YouTube channel, which has more than 1.8 million and 600 million members, was shut down over derogatory remarks about LGBTQ people.

In one of her videos, which has been viewed more than 1.5 million, the woman appears to have been severely beaten to “cure” her sexual problems.

Homosexuality is banned in the most populous country in Africa, and “homosexuals” can spend up to 14 years in prison.

Facebook also removed several videos from Joshua’s page, which has more than 5.7 million followers, in its anti-LGBTQ comments.