Dear Nicholas,
Firstly, thanks for standing up for your moral principles this week! I
appreciate your zeal and bold resolve to let integrity lead in your
journalistic pursuits.
My name is Ihechukwu Njoku, a freelancer currently in Lagos. Let me be
honest - a brief online check will show that I am a fan of TBJ,
evidenced in my numerous write-ups about The SCOAN. I am not however a
‘church spokesman’ as a few people have insinuated due to the positive
focus of my reports.
Before placing me in any stereotypical mould, I am not here to declare
some ‘Deuteronomy-style’ curse on your head or quote the whole ‘touch
not my anointed’ jargon as I know some other religious fanatics
(nutheads) have done.
I simply wish to express my own personal observations of this current
‘bribe-saga’ in the hope that it may also help clarify a couple of
things.
I agree 100% that journalism in Nigeria is darkened by a cloud of
corruption where truth is doctored to suit the political will of the
paymasters with ‘brown envelopes’ running the show behind the scenes.
This deserves denunciation and renunciation at every available
opportunity by all who believe ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’.
I would sincerely, however, paint a different picture in the case of
T.B. Joshua – based on my own personal experiences and the principles
Joshua has espoused and stood for over the years.
I am not sure how well you know TBJ or SCOAN but I would say first of
all that it would be impromptu to use this particular tragic incident
and the church’s rather unusual reaction to it as a yardstick to
determine his integrity.
I have watched Emmanuel TV for nearly five years and visited The SCOAN
several times during this period. I was initially very skeptical but
what caught my attention was the sheer simplicity of Joshua’s message
and lifestyle. He is a fresh exception to the ‘money-mongering’
‘private-jet-boasting’ lifestyles of most Naija men of God today.
Joshua lives simply, drives simply, dresses simply, talks simply… he
is hands-down the most humble, generous and unusual man I’ve met.
The first time I met T.B. Joshua (without him knowing I was into a
journalism and without my asking), he gave me N10,000 for ‘transport’.
Where I lived only needed about N500 to get there! There was no
condition attached or surreptitious motive at play. That’s just the
type of man T.B. Joshua is – a good giver. Ask anyone who knows about
SCOAN and they will tell you the same. That’s why I termed him
unusual. Such attitude is so rare to find in Nigeria that the
insinuations and connotations you arrived at in the light of what he
offered you last Sunday are completely understandable.
Don’t think I am naïve! Of course, the money offered by Joshua to you
and other journalists last week was certainly influenced by the
situation on ground. However, it does not change the truth that this
has been Joshua’s habitual practice – not only to journalists but to
anyone he meets. Don’t judge by my perception alone – ask anyone who
has met him and has not left with some form of blessing.
Besides, what facts are really there to be ‘covered up’ by this
‘bribe’ in an international incident of this magnitude? The
money,either received or rejected, didn’t change the facts that the
media reported.
I could say a lot more but I’m not here to preach. I am just positing
that there is more to T.B. Joshua than could be appreciated on a first
encounter in a challenging scenario.
My candid advice is to take some time to watch Emmanuel TV, even if
you consider yourself ‘unreligious’. Watch the man, listen to what he
has to say over a significant period of time and in the light of such,
arrive at your conclusion. After all, for over 360 South Africans to
take the long journey to Lagos, ignoring the fears of Ebola and Boko
Haram, show he certainly has something worth looking at.
That’s just my two cents.
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Don't mind Nicho..he want cheap popularity, am not a fan of TB, but I know only two things about him...he is a giver and a humble man to the core. Nicho is just taking advantage to gain cheap popularity..he has nothing to offer..
ReplyDeletewho else can blow a father's trumpet better than a son. Blow on my bros, even if u are drowning in pool of abracadabra
ReplyDeleteHow can you be talking of giving money at that time and laughing as if na chicken die. Didn't u listen to that conversation. It was a wrong timing and something is fishy.
ReplyDeletethose who steal public funds also give...so what's d big deal about giving/even d devil gives.../so Oga Journalist, bribery is bribery...call it by its proper name/
ReplyDeletedidn't the Bible say, you can give yourself to be burnt and still not have charity..?/it profited nothing/ so don't be blown away by his so called giving/because nothing goes for nothing/
Pls well meaning Nigerains and all, let's be all out to expose sin, and those fanning it/
my candid opinion/
I am impressed by your opinion. Straight to the point without attacking anyone.
DeleteThis letter lacks identity, just like the writer. Good that it's short so the waste of time is not regrettable.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder why so many assumed learned people cannt decipher facts from fancy, they cannt really know what constitute a word before saying it..Am not am fan of TB Joshua but two things I know of him is that he is a giver and a humble man. Am of the opinion that NI is just seeking cheap popularity taking advantage of the situation to boast his career, I don't believe he don't know what bribe is...was it not after the interview that the offer was given to them for fueling their vehicle back home if they have any..did that influence the recorded interview they have already taken or did he make the offer before the interview as to influence their questions? Cos of poverty and corruption prevalent in Nigeria the likes of Nicholas speaks from the abundant of their heart. Accepting or rejecting offer didn't make you a saint cos it wasn't directed to influence your report if you know what you are doing...TBJ has been a giver so why call it bribe now? Grow up and stand up for what is right. Know the difference between bribe and gratuity or appreciation. Learn the virtue of giving and bless those who come around you in every situation. Let me enlighten y'all on the difference between a tips or gratuity and bribe".The gratuity is a reward for an action that a public official has already taken, (in that case they have finished the interview) or for an action that the public official has committed to take in the future.The bribery statute, however, requires proof of a quid pro quo, that is, an intent on the part of the public official to perform acts on his payor's behalf.. In other words, the public official's intent to perform acts for the payor - required for a bribery offense - is the exchange, or quid pro quo, missing from the legal gratuity scenario. Am sure Nicholas don't know what the word Bribe constitute before coming public. And should be careful otherwise he can be sued for character assassination cos he lacks evidence to proof what he is saying against the personality of TBJ
ReplyDeleteLike a said earlier am not a fan of TB, rather a big fan NigeriaEye with good sense of judgement. Call a spade a spade...and learn to give...
Can u tell us the rational behind the joke " what are you going to write now" ?
DeleteLong nonsense
ReplyDeleteMatthew 24:24
ReplyDeleteFor false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). THESE TIMES NEED PEOPLE WHO LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD, NOT BY FOLLOWING DECEITFUL SCHEMES OF MEN. PRAY THAT GOD OPENS YOUR EYES TO SEE.
Prophet is a very simple human,, please people should not see Joshua to be prophet that bribe never,,
ReplyDeleteWho is it that he will bribe,,, why should he bribe someone for what,,
Hoo Nigerians we should lean to appreciate,,, Joshua has been a giver right from time,,, I said and I will keep saying it,,, let support him at this point in time,, instead of using the gun of the media to finish him,,,
Please Nigerian brothers
I like TB Joshua for his simplicity and the manner at which he bless people. Let look at the voice recording issue. TB Joshua told them not to talk of the dead people now instead they should discuss or write on those that survive. But in all there is no way the soul called journalist won't write on the casualties. And he said on their way out they have envelope of 750 Thousand arrange for them. If Nicho or Nico whatever he called himself says the money is bribe. Bribe for what???? That they shouldn't say anything or come out and say no body died or what???. One big question I want to ask Nicho D Journalist is......1. HOW OLD ARE YOU IN YOUR PROFESSION? 2. IS TB JOSHUA THE FIRST PERSON YOU INTERVIEWED TO BRIBE YOU?? 3. HOW MANY VOICE RECORDED ISSUE LIKE THIS HAVE YOU REVEALED TO THE WORLD??? Just want popularity and you now said you want to use TB Joshua. May your days be long.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! The way people jump to conclusions and cry fowl when someone is bold enough to 'spill the beans'. Chineke! Osanobuwa! Orisa Baba-o! Allahu Akbar! Kash! Just listen to yourselves. Cheap popularity? Well, you read in Nicholas' write up how his Twitter followership soared by 2,000 on the night following his going public with the voice recording; I don't know what that translates to (you read it yourself when Nicholas sarcastically wished that each tweet could be converted into a dollar... But, more seriously, for those of you who claim that TBJ is such a generous and humble man, listen to your contradictions: you are not a fan of TBJ, do not know or have never met him before but you know how generous and humble he is? And to the main questions: Did he or did he not offer N50,000.00 to journalists? Was he being his usual generous self? Why were the NEMA officials initially denied access to the accident scene? Was there something someone did not want anyone to know about? The first thing to do when an emergency team arrives an accident scene is to clear the grounds for them; they are trained is rescue tactics. For me, Nicholas' post was not only informative, but inspiring; his courage ought to be saluted, not scorned. We must not allow the fanatic in us to influence our judgment. Right on Nicholas. I salute your courage.
ReplyDeleteIn this write up the author only tried to justify TB's action by the fact that he gives. He also talked about his humilty
ReplyDeleteOk let's take it this way. Robin hood was a robber who robbed the rich to give to the poor,by your theory,Robin hood was a saint. I know a lot of hardened criminals who are frail looking and humble. I guess that comportment exonerates him from further scrutiny. Have you ever tried to find out how much he's making and how much he gives? I guess u need to do that before you draw your conclusions. About four years back„I took my sick mum to that Church, after all we spent on transport and lodging. We need thre bottles of anointed water,we were made to buy three picture frames for 17,000. When we initially bought one frame and required to get three bottles of d water,we were told we needed to buy three frames to get three bottles. Yet people still me the anointed water is not sold. The frames are still with my mother and the water after being used did nothing. I actually took her out of Nigeria to undergo a surgery that has sustained her till date. My dear friend Ihechukwu Njoku,it is not impossible or difficult for any man of God to give to anyone or so many people around him but that should not exonerate him from any normal scrutiny. I still insist specialists should go to the tragedy site and carry out all necessary investigations without any hindrance or manipulations, then come out and tell people what actually happened. At least people who lost their loved ones have a right to know what really happened.
We have serious problem in Nigeria. when people dont like your face, they do everything to run you down. I was fed to hate this man(TB Joshua) becos they claimed He was a fake Prophet. Over 20 years, I had an impression he was a fake prophet. But there comes a time when i dont have to judge people by what i heard but with facts and figures.If you claim he is a false prophet like Bar-Jesus, then you that you are Paul and Silas, Do what Paul did to Bar-Jesus to TB Joshua. Bunch of fools and religious fanatics. I believe that guy was plated there to find his faults. TB, forgive him.
ReplyDeleteHw does he get those money he dashes out anyhow? What is d source of his income. Does it mean dat evil people are not generous? U are being blinded by emotions Mr writer. Leak shit.
ReplyDeleteThis pastor is a crook and a liar. He is a good player with the bible. People like this pastor uses organize religion to acquire wealth while preying on the vulnerability of their followers. Why do you need a pastor to talk to God? Please wise up and stop yourselves from been taken by religious thieves and hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteHe offers money to everybody that comes around to see him. I won't call that a bribe, I ll rather say those journalist re so hungry if they feel 50,000naira is enough bribe to pay them to shut up on a international issue. It shows how broke and hungry the Nic guy is, 50k a bribe, even a policeman won't collect 50k as a bribe from u if u kill one person,talkless of how many pple that died in the incident.
ReplyDeleteNicholas only sacrificed TB's simplicity and free - giving nature at his altar of WANT - FOR - CHEAP - POPULARITY. It is in the man to be giving.
ReplyDeletealll bullshitttttt
ReplyDelete