July 10, (THEWILL) — Four years after the passing of Prophet T.B. Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), the Ondo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with the church to build a befitting monument in his honour.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure while receiving members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), who paid him a courtesy visit following their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Akure, which also included a tour of major tourist sites in the state.
Responding to a question on the state’s plans to develop man-made tourist attractions to honour notable indigenes, the governor said Ondo State was richly endowed with natural attractions but was also open to partnerships that would promote religious tourism through the construction of monuments, particularly in Arigidi-Akoko, the late prophet’s hometown.
“Talking about religious tourism to complement the wonders that nature has given to us—you mentioned Prophet T.B. Joshua in Arigidi-Akoko—he is not the only one,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He added: “We also have the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church and another in my own local government who started the Zion Church. These are heritage sites in their own right and deserve proper documentation and promotion. But this has to be done in collaboration with the institutions they established, such as their churches.”
He added that with a new commissioner for culture and tourism expected to assume office shortly, one of the key mandates would be to explore such initiatives.
“I know that Prophet T.B. Joshua was a global figure in religious circles. I represented the then-governor at his burial, and I’ve followed his impact across nations. SCOAN is in the best position to lead the charge, but we can support and encourage them,” the governor noted.
“His followers and admirers across the globe could be drawn to his hometown in Arigidi-Akoko, just as they visit the Synagogue in Ikotun, Lagos. It’s something we can actively pursue to promote religious tourism.”
Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to tourism development, stating that the state was open to collaborations with both private and institutional investors to harness its full tourism potential.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
