Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and his Lagos counterpart, Babajide were among top dignitaries who poured praises on the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua, was on Friday laid to rest at the church premises in Ikotun, Lagos.

Mr Joshua died after a church service at SCOAN on June 5 , a few days to his 58 birthday anniversary.

SCOAN had at a news conference on June 29  said that July 5 to July 11 would be  dedicated for a series of Joshua’s  ‘laying to rest’ activities tagged: ‘Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Prophet Joshua (1963 to 2021)’.

People from different races, cultures and countries gathered to give final respect to the late prophet.

Before the interment of the late prophet, his burial service was held and Bible passages read.

The first Bible reading, taken from First Corinthians 15: 51 – 57, was read by the Governor Ondo Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, after which Bishop Stephen Ogedengbe of the Wisdom of Chapel Ministry explained the passage.

The cleric  urged Christians to emulate the exemplary life of love lived by the late founder of SCOAN.

Mr Ogedengbe said: “The character of a true believer is to find refuge in our Lord Jesus.

“That is why children of God are not afraid of reaching the final destination –  death.

”Heaven is our home, our dwelling place.”

According to him, Mr Joshua had always mentioned that those from above longed to be there.

Minister Ayoub Kara from Israel took the second Bible reading from Revelation 21: 1- 7, while  Pastor Robert Acosta from Argentina preached a  sermon from it.

Mr Acosta  said that christians should follow  Christ “because outside Jesus there is no reality”.

He said that Joshua did so many miracles and showed much love to many people.

After the sermon, Mr Akeredolu and the representative of the governor of Lagos State delivered speeches.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Elegushi.

Mr Sanwo-Olu told the congregation that the late prophet fulfilled his destiny on earth by living for others.

He encouraged christians to long for  the spirit of dedication shown by the SCOAN founder.

“His life should encourage us to renew our hope in Christ.

“Unity, peace, progress and love should be our watchwords as christians,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu urged Christians to emulate the late prophet’s life and live in peace with everyone without discriminating.

In his speech, Mr Akeredolu, described the death of Mr Joshua as a huge loss to the people of Ondo State, Nigeria and the world at large.

Mr Akeredolu said that Joshua contributed immensely to the emancipation of the downtrodden, orphans, widows and other less privileged people.

He said that the late prophet touched the lives of many people economically and spiritually.

“He was not born with a silver spoon but from what I heard, he was a special child because he performed miracles even from primary school.

“He was born with a special gift, and his love was not only for the less privileged.

“Even those of us who are privileged benefitted from his love,” Mr Akeredolu said.