On the 27th page of The Punch of Friday, September 26, 2014 was a article entitled, “Why TB Joshua should be arrested and prosecuted.” This article was jointly written and signed by Messrs Olufemi Taiwo, Akin Adesokan and Tejumola Olaniyan of Cornell University, Indiana University and University of Wisconsin respectively. I empathise with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Governor Babatunde Fashola, relatives of Nigerians and South Africans who lost their lives due to the sudden collapse of the structure that served as a guest house to visitors to the church.
I wish to state that I am not an apologist of T.B. Joshua but I took strong exception to the view expressed by the writers. Does the solution to incidences of collapsed building lie in raising unnecessary insinuation, putting the governor and the President in bad light? I believe that the reason for the visit was not to glorify T.B. Joshua but to express their condolences to the congregation of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. The President’s word: “My visit here is to express my personal condolences to Prophet T.B. Joshua, Synagogue Church of All Nations and off course bereaved families.” I believe that Governor Fashola has also expressed the same sentiment as expressed by the President. It’s also relevant to state that journalists in the print and electronic media have contributed to the development of the country. Effort by the writers to taint this important segment of society is uncharitable. The allegation that T.B. Joshua offered bribes to journalists with the aim of influencing their reportage is not right. He that asserts must prove; it still remains in the realm of allegations. Moreover, there are established procedures that intended to correct infractions in the profession. The remote and immediate causes of building failure should be viewed and investigated holistically. The governor has in wisdom set-up a body to investigate the cause of the collapse; this effort corroborated the President’s plans in near future, to hold a meeting with all the stakeholders to stop the incessant incidents of building collapse in Nigeria. It is the Synagogue Church of All Nations today, who knows the structure that will collapse tomorrow. A popular Yoruba proverb says “Severing the head of a man with a severe headache is not the cure to the headache.”
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