Relocation to Isreal: Nigerian government wants TB Joshua to reconsider decision

Minister Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, representing the Federal Government on Tuesday was said to have appealed to the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua) to reconsider his decision to relocate from Nigeria.Mohammed said this in a chat with journalists during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos.He described Joshua’s decision as unfortunate, adding that such a move would not be in the best interest of the country.This comes after TB Joshua on Sunday announced that he would relocate from Nigeria to Israel due to “hostile environment”.“This is the most persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry? My people, Africa.“That is why I choose to live a lonely life. If you want to see me, come to this church. I don’t go out. It has not been easy ”“ because I don’t know who is a friend or who is an enemy.“If you learn TB Joshua is not around, I am in a revival. I live in the church here. I don’t have a house outside.”“What happened to me from the beginning of my ministry is enough to chase me out of this country.“But I am still in your midst. Upon the persecution and hatred, I decided to follow the path of love. You show hatred; I show love.“When I go for a revival, you will see the stadium full but I am not carried away by that. I leave where I’m celebrated to live where I’m persecuted,” the cleric said.Mohammed called for dialogue between the pastor and the authorities over whatever challenges he was facing.“That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect our tourism in Nigeria.“Pastor Joshua is an important person, he must bear with us. This is his country; if he moves out and go to South Africa, for example, the revenue will go to South Africa,” Mohammed explained.“It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the relevant authority and resolve whatever problem he has. If I have access to him, this is exactly what I am going to tell him.”