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How T.B Joshua, Primate Ayodele
predicted Michael Jackson’s death
By Jossy Idam, Olajiire Ishola & Onukwube Ofoelue
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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•Joshua
Photo: The Sun Publishing |
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In his days, French physician and astrologer, Nostradamus, stunned
the world with his predictions that hit the bull’s eye. Widely
acclaimed as the ‘man who saw tomorrow’, Nostradamus,
born Michel De Nostre Dame, in his rhymed book of prophecies, “The
Centuries” (1555), foretold events that confounded even the
fiercest of critics. Centuries after, some of the events he foretold
still occur with such prophetic accuracy that provokes awe. For
instance, Nostradamus predicted the rise of Adolf Hitler. In “The
Centuries,” he called Hitler Hister.
He also foretold the emergence of Saddam Hussein and referred to
Osama bin Laden as “ King of Terror.”
Couched in symbolism and metaphor, he unequivocally predicted the
bombing and destruction of the New York-based World Trade Centre
and the Twin Towers in what is now known as 9/11.
In our day, albeit on a different pedestal, two clerics appear to
follow in the footsteps of the late French astrologer. Apart from
their many revelations and predictions that had come to pass, both
men only a few months ago had gazed into their spiritual ‘crystal
ball’ and revealed what later shook the world like a thunderbolt.
Like Nostradamus, Prophet T.B Joshua of The Synagogue Church of
all Nations and Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele of the INRI Spiritual
Home, both based in Lagos, accurately predicted the death of American
pop music icon, Michael Jackson.
T.B Joshua on MJ
June 12, 2009, a significant date in Nigeria’s electoral history,
was Prophet T.B Joshua’s birthday. A week before the date,
the man of God, as his teeming followers call him, went to “the
mountain.”
One of his apostles, Pastor Chris, a Briton, told Sunday
Sun that he went to the mountain to pray, fast and communicate
with God. After days of dwelling on the mountain and “seeking
God’s face,” the prophet came down and announced to
his congregation and the church’s live cable, Emmanuel TV,
that the pop music icon, Michael Jackson, needed deliverance on
Sunday, June 14, 2009.
Before that date, he frantically looked for a close associate of
the star in Nigeria and instructed him to go and “bring Michael
Jackson for healing and deliverance.”
Prophet Joshua reached for renowned flutist, music composer and
former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria
(PMAN), Tee Mac Itsueli. Alarmed, the latter quickly placed a telephone
call to Marlon, Michael Jackson’s brother, who is also Tee
Mac’s business associate.
After a flurry of calls, the pop star told Tee Mac he would be in
Nigeria in August after his return-to-stage concerts billed for
July.
Shocking departure
Apparently shocked by the sudden demise of the mega star, Tee Mac
came to The Synagogue last Sunday, June 28 and gave a testimony
of what transpired between him and Prophet Joshua.
Speaking to the open church, he recounted: “On his birthday,
June 12, the man of God sent for me. I came and he told me to tell
my friend, Michael Jackson, to come for healing and deliverance.
“I got in touch with him through his brother, Marlon. But
Michael couldn’t come here because he had concerts for the
whole of July. But we concluded arrangement for him to be around
in August.”
Obviously bereaved, Tee- Mac further told the congregation in an
emotion-laden voice: “Michael Jackson and his brothers are
billed for a reunion concert in October. Apart from this, the Jackson’s
family is building a memorabilia in Badagry. It is sad that Michael
is not here anymore for the project.”
Replay of prophecy
Prophet Joshua’s prophecy was replayed to an equally aghast
congregation, and he said: “Pray, I am seeing a great star.
He is great upon the world and shouting hey, hey…
“I see something happening to that star which may lead him
to a journey of no return.
“He is somebody between life and death. He is not in your
community. He is too young to leave your midst. But if it is the
will of God, there’s nothing we can do”.
Obviously constrained and at pains, he told the congregation: “When
I see something like this, I tell God to guide me. It is a sin if
I keep quiet and do nothing. People will soon give me names for
seeing death, disasters and speaking out.”
Primate Ayodele also saw it
Back in December 2008, head of the INRI Spiritual Home, Primate
Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, had predicted the death of the man widely
regarded as the King of Pop Music on the occasion of his yearly
predictions. Then, he did not mention his name. But later in June
2009, the prophet specifically said Michael Jackson’s family
should be full of prayers for the late musician.
Bombshell
In December 2008, he told Sunday Sun that one great musician would
pass on in the coming year. At the time, the impression was that
the primate was talking of a Nigerian musician. But when our reporter
met him again on June 19, 2009 for a mid-year preview of his predictions,
Primate Ayodele repeated that a renowned musician would soon pass
away.
After the interview, our reporter curiously sought to know the musician,
and Primate Ayodele dropped the bombshell. He said that Michael
Jackson’s family needed to pray to avert the looming danger
over the great musician. When the reporter asked why he did not
mention the name, he said people may misinterpret the message but
that he was already interceding for him. However, as we were preparing
the story for publication in July, the unexpected happened, and
the legendary MJ passed on June 25.
In the same vein, the Nostradamus of Africa, as Primate Ayodele
is called by his admirers, predicted that House of Assembly Speakers
in five states in Nigeria will lose their seats. So far, three have
gone. Mohammed Alkali of Niger State was removed in June 9. Idris
Ndako, who replaced him, resigned within one week. Similarly, former
Speaker of the Plateau State Assembly, Emmanuel Go’ar, was
removed on January 22.
He had also predicted that some governors will not finish their
term. Professor Oserheimen Osunbor has already left the Edo State
government house after which Segun Agagu was also sacked in Ondo.
Ayodele also specifically said the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
governorship candidate, Abiola Ajimobi, will not win his appeal
against Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State. It came to pass
just as he predicted that two Nigerian actresses would die. Former
Mama Ajasco, Iyabo Momoh, has now gone to the world beyond.
Other events he foretold were that there would be bloodshed in Nigeria.
We have had bloodbath in the Niger Delta in recent months even as
lives were lost during the April governorship re-run election in
Ekiti State.
The man also predicted the changes in the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN). Last month, the former governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, was
replaced by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
He equally foresaw the lingering strike by university lecturers.
Among predictions he told Sunday Sun would happen before the end
of the year is that the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator
Ibikunle Amosun, who is challenging the election of the Ogun State
Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, will again lose at the second election
tribunal.
The cleric also specifically said the AC governorship candidate
in Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, will lose the retrial of his case
at the tribunal just as he insisted that Coach Amodu Shuaibu will
be disgraced out of the Super Eagles before the end of the year.
Memorial concert for MJ
Meanwhile, arrangements are in top gear for a memorial concert in
honour of the late pop music star in Nigeria.
Sunday Sun learnt that the concert tagged “REMEMBERING
MICHAEL (JACKSON) (R.E.M.I.) was initiated by an ex-president of
PMAN, Bolaji Rosiji, under the auspices of his Gauranga Foundation
in partnership with Z-Mirage/ZMC and a South African conglomerate.
The concert is planned to replicate that which MJ could not hold
in London as a result of his demise, thus making Nigeria, which
he never visited, host one of the biggest shows in his honour. Although
the venue and date are still unconfirmed, it is likely to hold in
Lagos.
Rosiji, who confirmed this in a telephone interview with Sunday
Sun, also disclosed that the R.E.M.I Concert will involve most of
the African foreign missions in Nigeria, with the crème de
la crème of African, European and American artistes entertaining
guests.
He said invitation has been sent out to colleagues and fans of Michael
while arrangements were in top gear to make the event a hitch-free
one.
His words: “The project will be an African affair, and the
different regions of the continent are to participate fully in the
event with artistes representing each zone. I hope the R.E.M.I Concert
will help keep Michael’s good works alive. This is what he
should be known for.
“I am unhappy about some of the negative things being said
about him posthumously. I grew up with Michael in my living room.
He was the first African-American that many in my generation saw
as the symbol of a successful African.”
Rosiji stated that those who criticise him for being broke have
forgotten that he gave a lot of his money away, making him a very
exceptional humanitarian. According to him, Michael loved children
so much that he took time out when touring to visit sick children
and that he was one of the inspirations behind the Gauranga Foundation’s
Artistes to Kids Project.
Michael was listed in the 2000 edition of the Guinness Book of World
Records for breaking the record for the "Most Charities Supported
by a Pop Star" (39 in all).
Similarly, the CEO of Zmirage, Mr Teju Kareem, said apart from himself,
there are millions of Nigerians who adore the late musician and
would love to honour him.
“It is not just me who is passionate about this. There are
millions of Nigerians out there who would like the opportunity to
bid farewell to Michael. But they don’t have a place to go
to express their love and grief while dancing to his music. We want
to offer them that opportunity.
“The concert will not only be of the international standards
that Zmirage is known for, it will be of Michael Jackson’s
standards. All Nigerians, Americans resident in Nigeria as well
as other foreigners in Nigeria are expected to be there to say “Bye,
Michael,” he said.
Some state governments are expected to partner the organisers alongside
the media, airlines and hotels.
As part of the pre-concert events, the organisers will open a tribute
centre at the National Theatre later this week where well-wishers
will pay tribute while signing a condolence register. |
