According to a report in Nigeria’s Nation Newspaper, Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed,
has entreated controversial Prophet T.B. Joshua to rescind his decision to leave Nigeria.
“That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect our tourism in Nigeria.”
Mohammed told journalists at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), held in the
Renaissance Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Pastor Joshua is an important
person; he must bear with us,” the
outspoken Minister admitted to
newsmen at the event which hosted top dignitaries within the tourism sector.
“This is his country. If he moves out and goes to South Africa (for
example), the revenue will go to
South Africa.”
Mohammed said he would be reaching out to the cleric to voice his concerns, adding that the Nigerian government was ready to dialogue with Joshua to address the challenges faced by The SCOAN.
“It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the relevant authorities and resolves
whatever problems he has,” the Minister concluded. Mohammed’s statements are the first public acknowledgement by the
Nigerian government of Joshua’s economic and social impact on the country in terms of religious tourism.
The Synagogue founder said during a church service on March 30 that he had been invited by three prominent Israeli
mayors to hold meetings with international pilgrims close to the Biblical site of the Sea
of Galilee.
Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian journalist.
