Abimbola Balogun, elder brother of the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua alias TB Joshua, has described the deceased as God-sent to the family and community.
Joshua died in Lagos last Saturday at the age of 57.
His native community — Arigidi Akoko, in the Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State — have been mourning since his demise.
Market and shops have been closed in Arigidi Akoko and nearby towns and villages to honour the departed cleric.
Joshua’s brother on Monday said the last time he saw the late pastor was eight months ago.
He said, “I saw my brother last, eight months ago; and during that encounter, he advised me to love the people around me and I that should avoid too much love for money.
“We will miss him because he was our breadwinner; the entire community will miss him.”
A friend of late Joshua, who is also the traditional ruler of Gedegede Akoko, Oba Walidu Sanni, said the downtrodden, widows, persons with disabilities and the elderly would miss him for his benevolence.
Also, the chairman of the Akoko North West LGA, Ayodele Akande, who paid a condolence visit to the family of the late pastor in Arigidi Akoko, described him as “an exceptional humble and generous person.”
Meanwhile, the monarch of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, has appealed to the members of SCOAN to allow late Joshua be buried in his home town.