Despite the picture painted by international media, it appears the pull
of a Nigerian Pastor has surpassed the fear of Boko Haram when it comes
to tourism in Nigeria.
The scene at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday 12th June 2014 was lively.
The
steady stream of foreign arrivals, smiling happily and waving national
flags, bore no semblance with the international travel warnings leveled
at Nigeria, largely due to the terrorist activities of Islamic insurgent
group Boko Haram.
When this reporter inquired as to the reason
of the exotic influx, the answer from various individuals and airport
employees was unanimous – Nigeria’s controversial yet celebrated pastor,
T.B. Joshua, who turned 51 today.
“In fact, the entire flight
from South Africa was filled with T.B. Joshua visitors,” a SAA employee
told me on the condition of anonymity. “It was the same thing yesterday
too. Southern Africa can’t seem to get enough of the pastor.”
Officials
at the airport I spoke to reckoned that almost 5,000 foreigners had
arrived in Nigeria over the last few days to attend Joshua’s church and
felicitate with him.
“Nearly 50 Russians arrived today,” one of
the ground staff told me. “It was Americans and Brits yesterday, not to
mention those that came from Zimbabwe and Zambia; they must have reached
more than 500. They all came to visit Synagogue.”
According to
recent statistics from the Nigerian Immigration Service six out of every
ten foreign travellers coming into Nigeria are bound for The Synagogue
Church Of All Nations (SCOAN).
The scene at the airport
certainly attested to this, the majority of people wearing t-shirts
emblazoned with the logo of Joshua’s popular television station Emmanuel
TV.
“T.B. Joshua is probably the greatest tourist attraction
Nigeria has ever produced,” a taxi driver named Ibrahim who plies his
trade at the airport reckoned. “I take people from the airport to
Synagogue everyday but this last week especially has been busier than
ever.”
The cleric, however, has played down the event, telling
followers on Sunday that he would not be celebrating his birthday with
any special ceremony.
He stated the current security situation
in Nigeria did not reflect the need for any ostentatious festivity,
adding that he feels what people in society are feeling.
Joshua
encouraged congregants to remember his birthday by praying for their
nation, stating that the ‘birthday gift’ he is asking from God is the
release of the over 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok over a month ago.
T.B.
Joshua was born on June 12th 1963 in a humble home in Arigidi, Ondo
State, Nigeria. He is best known for his prophecies, miracles and
charitable activities, as well as his online influence.
A
Facebook post on Joshua’s official page wishing the cleric happy
birthday had already attracted more than 50,000 comments from
well-wishers worldwide as at the time of filing this report.
Nigerian
actress, Tonto Dikeh, who earlier stated that Joshua's prayers helped
end her 14 year smoking addiction, was among those who congratulated the
pastor via her Instagram account.
Nigeria’s entertainment on-air-personality, Denrele Edun, has gone wild
on the social media as the TV presenter becomes a year older today.
