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My Daughter Buried In Rubble, S’African Mother Laments 10 Years After TB Joshua Church Collapse

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2024

A South African mother, simply identified as Sonny, has shared her grief 10 years after her daughter, Princess Sibongile, was killed in the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapse on September 12, 2014.

The mother, speaking with BBC Africa Eye, in a three-part investigation titled, “Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua” disclosed that her daughter was buried under the rubble during the collapse.

Sonny said her daughter decided to visit Nigeria on hearing of the several miracles performed by the late Prophet Temitope Joshua (TB Joshua).

She said, “My daughter Sibongile Princess, died on her first trip to the synagogue. She was looking forward to being there just like everyone that you see on TV. She still has her favourite teddy bear in her room, which she had asked her siblings to keep for her. She was such a perfectionist.

“We all saw the miracles every day on television and we thought that this could only be the hand of God.

“However, on September 12, when I heard the news of the collapse, I tried to call my daughter, tried to send an SMS but there was no response. That was when I could not breathe. I could not sleep.”

The mother said she waited for days to get a call from the church on her daughter’s safety but got none till after five days.

“I waited for days for a phone call to tell me of my daughter’s whereabouts. The next Sunday, TB Joshua came on a live service and said there was a bombing.

“On television, they were showing us that the building had been bombed and showing this aircraft.

“I heard from SCOAN after five days and they told me that they were afraid that my daughter did not make it. My daughter died in a place where I thought it was safe. Because the Bible says, ‘Bring your child in the way of the lord,’ I always made sure that my children were always in church. I did not know I was taking them to church to be killed. That part was one I was not expecting. My daughter was buried alive,” she said.

Sonny’s son, Lwandle, also speaking, said his sister, fondly called Phumzile, was the golden child of the family.

“She was injured when she was at work. She had a back problem at work. She couldn’t get any assistance. Somebody referred her to this church in Nigeria, promising all these miracles and whatever.

“There were all these news flashes coming in that this church building had collapsed with South Africans inside and they did not have any details and the whole family was panicking. When we asked for information, they could not give us anything concrete. We were only asked to wait and pray. How?

“A delegation from the church came and pronounced that my sister had passed on. I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to her,” he said.

The PUNCH reported that on September 12, 2014, the six-storey building collapsed, killing at least 116 worshipers, mostly South Africans, who were having lunch on the ground floor.

The then governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, who was at the scene ordered all church workers away to properly rescue trapped bodies.

The government also claimed the church did not get government approval before construction.

However, a few days later, Prophet Joshua appeared on a live telecast, alleging that the collapse was due to a strange aircraft which he claimed ‘hovered’ over the building hours before it went down.

A video released that day and published on YouTube also showed what looked like a plane flying around the building.

However, the coroner’s report found the cause to be due to structural failure and found Joshua ‘criminally liable’ for the deaths.

Three government agencies – the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the Building Collapse Prevention Guild – examined the site and found several inadequacies.

Part of the report read, “Inadequate beams of 750mm by 225mm (should have been 900mm by 300mm) were used.

“Inadequately reinforced columns (should have been reinforced with 12 x Y25 bars or 20 x Y20mm bars. Instead, they used 10 x Y20 bars (as seen in the video released by SCOAN) were also used.

“Other structural failures include inadequate bearing pressure for the central column due to the 2m x 2m x 0.9m foundations; failure to introduce rigid zones for bracing the structure and did not design the frames as an unbraced structure; failure to provide movement joints that could have absorbed any movement due to creep, contraction, expansion and differential settlement etcetera; and eight out of the 12 main beams of the structure failed because they were undersized, under-reinforced (both in tension and shear), the tension bars were poorly anchored to the column supports and 8 x Y20 was used instead of 14 x Y20.”

However, Joshua failed to appear at a November 2015 hearing and the church lawyers were said to have filed multiple applications to stay the proceedings.

Until Joshua’s death on June 5, 2021, he was not prosecuted.

Related Topics:Prophet T.B. Joshua T.B Joshua

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News

Fintiri Hikes Corps Members’ All

Published

2 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has increased the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members serving in the state from N20,000 to N30,000.

The governor made the announcement on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Damare, Girei Local Government Area.

“As a government, we are committed to improving the welfare of corps members.

“This increment aligns with our promise to create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for you,” the governor stated.

Fintiri also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development and welfare, stating that the allowance hike complements ongoing support efforts such as regular food provision and other welfare initiatives.

Speaking further, he disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage for the construction of a new NYSC orientation camp in the state.

He directed the NYSC State Coordinator to involve corps members with relevant qualifications—such as architects, civil engineers, and quantity surveyors—in supervising the project.

Congratulating the new corps members, Fintiri welcomed them to Adamawa and assured them of government support.

He described them as vital partners in delivering key government policies, particularly in education.

“As bonafide citizens of Adamawa during your service year, you are expected to uphold discipline, engage in community development, and cultivate healthy interactions,” Fintiri stated.

He emphasised the importance of the orientation programme in preparing corps members for their national assignment.

The state Commissioner for Youths and NYSC Governing Board Chairman, Wali Yakubu, urged corps members to take the course seriously, follow camp rules, and embrace skill acquisition for post-service self-reliance.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Osoro Caroline, commended the corps members’ discipline and participation so far.

She said the orientation course was tailored to equip them for meaningful national contributions.

Osoro praised Fintiri’s consistent support, describing him as a “visionary leader and a beacon of youth empowerment in Nigeria.”

The event also featured the oath of allegiance administered by the Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Hapsat Abdurrahman, and a ceremonial presentation of the NYSC journal to the governor.

News

Fintiri Gifts Super Falcons Coach N50m, House For WAFCON Victory

Published

3 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has gifted Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, a three-bedroom bungalow and N50 million for leading the national women’s football team to victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

According to a Facebook post by the governor’s aide, Pius Iliya, the presentation was made at the Government House in Yola, the state capital.

Madugu, an indigene of Adamawa, was hailed by Fintiri for his role in the Falcons’ triumph at the tournament, which took place in Morocco earlier this year.

“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on behalf of the Government and people of Adamawa State, has gifted Justine Pwanidi Madugu ( Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons) a three-bedroom bungalow and a sum of N50m for leading the team into winning the 2024 Women African Cup of Nation that took place in Morocco this year,” the post read.

News

Policeman Rejects N800,000 Bribe To Free Robbery Suspect In A’Ibom

Published

3 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

CSP Ebong Thompson

A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Ebong Thompson has rejected the sum of N800,000 offered to him to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and cover up the crime.

This is as the command has arrested the suspects in connection with the bribe

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday said the suspects involved in the deal have been arrested and taken to custody.

According to the statement, 53-year-old David Isaac was arrested after a Samsung phone that was snatched at gun point was traced to him.

John stated that the suspect has a record of similar offences having been arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

She added that the other suspect, Emmanuel Peter, was arrested and taken to custody after he brought the the sum of N.8m to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police who has given a commendation letter to the officer, warned the public to desist from compromising police investigation.

The statement read in part, ”A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime.

”The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him. Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

”The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.

”All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare. The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.

”Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
(PUNCH)