By Sola Ojewusi
Late 2019, in the wake of the internecine and unending fraternal war in South Sudan, a war that had then proved very difficult for international bodies like even the UN to bring to an end, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan invited the Nigerian televangelist and prophet, T.B. Joshua to come and intervene spiritually in the terrible war and help his nation seek the face of God in a bid to find a solution to the deadly conflict.
It would be recalled that T.B. Joshua subsequent visited the country, met President Salva Kiir, held prayer sessions for the people, prayed for peace and prophesied that if certain steps were taken, the war would be a thing of the past. Not long after, the warring factions went to the negotiation table, decided to lay down their arms and the seemingly intractable fraternal war abated. Peace reigned as prophesied and what seemed impossible crumbled under the unction of Joshua’s prophetic anointing.
Today, in appreciation of the efficacy of Joshua’s prayers and prophesy, and in gratitude for helping their nation find peace, President Salva Kiir has again written a heartfelt letter of appreciation to T.B. Joshua. Not only that, President Kiir again extended an invitation to the Prophet to come and help the nation consolidate the peace.
According to President Kiir, “First I would like to thank you, Servant of the Most High God, and the higher grace and anointing upon your life. And for your love and humility by coming on your prophetic and historic visit on 12th November 2019 when the nation was in desperate situation whereas the country was experiencing civil war violence for many years.”
President Kiir stated further: ” The world organizations tried to negotiate peace but where human wisdom failed, God has the final answer. As you have prophesied that it shall be a new beginning for the nation and we the leaders should overcome our divisions and our differences and come back to develop our youngest nation in the world, the Government and the Opposition have come together to revitalise the Peace Agrrement and now the nation is at peace followed by the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R.TGONU) which signifies a new beginning indeed.”
A clearly elated President Kiir then went ahead to invite Prophet T.B Joshua again, in the President’s words, “to harvest what you planted. The whole nation of South Sudan is ready to receive you once again.”
Meanwhile, as world leaders continue to recognize the many contributions of the Nigerian Prophet, from Israel to America, to Mexico, to Indonesia, to Colombia, Peru, Britain and now South Sudan amongst others, citizens of other countries have cashed in on this new development to question the tendencies of the Prophet’s own people, especially the Nigerian authorities towards the Man of God. Many wonder why it is difficult to extend the same honour to Joshua by his own nation.
According to Lawrence Maida from Zambia on a Twitter handle, “Very true man of God, as a Zambian I appreciate the grace upon your life and desire to come to SCOAN meet you in person but yet people who are in Nigeria criticize, misjudge, misunderstand,condemn, accuse. Given the same chance to be there I would maximize the opportunity.”
Another non-Nigerian Twitter user, Deborah Fwambo, expressed her surprise at the Nigerian attitude thus: “It’s good that many people from outside appreciate you more than in your country. I know that one day all those that don’t see that God chose and sent you for a purpose will believe for God never slumbers or sleeps on his children. You are a prophet.”
A Ghanaian, Kwame Yere however urged the Prophet not to be discouraged. According to Kwame, “The Lord says; ‘…you’ll be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. But he who endures to the end will be saved.’Papa GO forward, DON’T give up, the Lord IS with you.”
Some Nigerian Twitter users even admitted this trend. According to Precious Adeniyi, “It is true but so many people pretend not to love him because they have been enslaved by their church doctrine. I am a member of RCCG and l love this man of God call Prophet T.B. Joshua. Apart from the fact that he came from my community, Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State. I thank God for his life.”
Ikenna, another Nigerian also agreed: “Of course. There is no dispute about that, it is an adaptation of not only Jesus but all the prophets of God like Elijah etc who were despised by their own people and kinsmen but honoured outside their domains. However, Prophet TB Joshua is a treasure to us.”
However, Prophet T.B. Joshua himself appears not to be worried by the attitude of his own people to his world influencing ministry and his indisputable role as the country’s ambassador who has brought a lot of goodwill to his nation. He had once responded to a question about this: “If I’m appreciated in my country more, then I’m not following the footsteps of my Master Jesus. He was despised by the same people He came to liberate. I’m happy that I face the same persecution as Jesus.”
Meanwhile, The Lagosian learnt that the Republic of South Sudan is agog with great expectations about the second coming of Prophet T.B. Joshua which is expected to happen anytime from now.