Prophet TB JoshuaBy Simon Ateba/Lagos
It seems to be a double standard. Government officials who never sent any message of sympathy to Nigeria’s most recognised pastor, Prophet TB Joshua, when a building in his church collapsed in 2014, are expressing sadness, sympathy and commiseration, over the tragic incident that occurred in Akwa Ibom state on Saturday, when an allegedly hurriedly built church building collapsed killing hundreds of worshipers.
Back then in 2014, many asked for Prophet TB Joshua to be sent to jail immediately, blaming the whole incident on negligence even before investigation was carried out.
The Lagos state government has been in court trying to punish those who might have been responsible for the collapse.
But in a statement on Sunday, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, did not call for an investigation into the latest tragedy, rather he commiserated with the Akwa Ibom State Government and the families of victims who lost their lives after the collapse of Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.
The Governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it was most unfortunate that the victims lost their lives while worshipping God.
“It is indeed an unfortunate incident and words cannot really express our sadness as a Government over the loss of several lives, who have become victims of an incident they know nothing about. It is indeed a pathetic situation and we can only express our condolence and commiserate with the bereaved families over this incident,” the Governor said.
“My heart goes out to the families of victims who lost their lives in this most unfortunate incident as well as to my brother Governor, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel whom providence had spared in the mishap. This is a most trying time and I offer my deepest commiseration with him”.
Governor Ambode also prayed that Almighty God will grant peaceful repose to the souls of those killed in the incident and speedy recovery to those injured.
These words were never used and messages were never sent when Prophet TB Joshua faced a similar tragedy on September 12 2014.
It is not just Governor Ambode who has sent messages of sympathy in Akwa Ibom state. President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and a host of others have expressed the same sadness over the Uyo incident.
Some believe that while investigations into church building collapse incidents should be carried out to determine the cause and punish those who failed to do their job, the same standard should be applied to all people, famous, hated or not.