TB Joshua's daughter called to the bar in New York, gives interview
Serah Oyindamola Joshua, is the first daughter of Pastor T.B. Joshua. She was called to the Bar this week in Nigeria having successfully completed the September 2015 Bar Final Examinations at the Nigerian Law School. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Serah revealed that she will also be called to the bar in New York in January, having passed final examinations in November.
“I’m grateful to God, my family and friends, who have been of help to me. I am humbled and privileged to have succeeded. I am privileged and fortunate to be the daughter of such a humble and great man of God called TB Joshua. He is someone I look up to because my father is a man of God and he has been able to guide me every time I need him. I am so humbled to be his daughter. He has been a good guide. Thus, I can’t afford to disappoint him and God, because to whom much is given, much is expected.” Serah told The Guardian
How does she react to comments about her father? She says,
“He is a true example of humility. I have seen so many character traits in him that are worthy to emulate. As a father, he is the best father anybody can pray to have. I am not just saying that because he is my father; this is just the truth. Also, it’s not what I think about him or what people think about him that counts but what God says about him.” She adds, “That’s why I said he is a true man of God and it’s not what people say that counts but what God says. Everybody has the right to air his or her opinion but God’s opinion counts most.”
IT was evening. The weather was calm. The cool harmattan breeze whistled soulfully. The evening was elemental. Everybody was just happy. There was excitement in the air and gratitude in the space, as everybody savoured the best of the moment. No complexities.
This evening, Serah Oyindamola Joshua stood out, somewhat. Though, she was not putting on a shimmering gown or dropping earring, just corporately dressed. She was simple in her gown and wig. Serah was one of the 3,277, who were called the Bar on Tuesday and Wednesday (December 15 and 16), having successfully completed the September 2015 Bar Final Examinations.
As she exchanged banters with everybody, the rhythms of December harmattan played out in her head. Even as she smiled, laughed, joked and danced, she crooned like a baby who wanted attention. Yes, indeed, she wanted attention, but not for herself. She was just happy being called to the Bar.
Almost with a throaty laugh, snugging up close, she breathes: “I’m grateful to God, my family and friends, who have been of help to me. I am humbled and privileged to have succeeded. I am very happy,” she says. For her younger sister, Promise Joshua, “by God’s grace, we are following his path and seeing results. My sister, who is just 22, and her ability to have combined the New York and Nigerian bar exams is a testimony to the disciplined upbringing our father gave us. She has been a role model and I am following her footsteps.”
For Prophet TB Joshua’s daughter, law is a gift of God, already minted before the beginning of time, which she discovered growing up in her home. “I am privileged and fortunate to be the daughter of such a humble and great man of God called TB Joshua. He is someone I look up to, because my father is a man of God and he has been able to guide me every time I need him. I am too happy, so humble to be his daughter. He has been a good guide. Thus I can’t afford to disappoint him and God, because to whom much is given, much is expected.”
How does she react to comments about her father? Serah takes a deep breath, as her finely chiselled features and sinuous body glisten. She leans on the wall, while nursing a bottle of mineral water. She says, “he is a true example of humility. I have seen so many characters in him that is worthy to emulate. As a father, he is the best father everybody can pray to have. I am not just saying that, because he is my father, this is just the truth. Also, it’s not what I think about him or what people think about him that counts, but what God says about him.”
She adds, “that’s why I said, he is a true man of God and it’s not what people say that counts, but what God says. Everybody has the right to air his or her opinion, but God’s opinion counts most.”
What was his reaction to her success story? “He was very happy and proud of me. I am always happy whenever he is proud of me. He has given me so much and I feel I have a lot to offer and can’t afford to disappoint him.” Was their special gift or words of encouragement he gave her as a child? “Life is an experience,” she exclaims. “I know my dad and he is a living example of how to be, humble and devoted to God.”
The name TB Joshua has opened doors for her, but not as many would think. “When people know that I am his daughter, they are always surprised and that spur me on to work harder and achieve what I want. To every glory is a story to tell.” She adds, “he is the best dad I could ever wish for. I am so grateful to God and proud.” On how her friends relate to her and whether they expect her to introduce them to him for prayers? She has this to say: “Yes, many are surprised, and some even want me to introduce them to him for prayers.”
What’s next for Serah? “I will also be called to bar in New York in January. I passed the final examinations in November and I’m getting set for the January date in New York Supreme Court.”
Challenges growing up? The young lady, who attended Ronik International School, Ejigbo, Lagos State, and later, the London School of Economic, where she did her law degree and a master’s in New York, whispers, “we all have challenges, but with what my father has taught me, I see challenges as stepping stone to greater heights. Also, challenges are not personal, because God is involved in seeing you through. Every stumbling block is a lesson to move higher in life.” Is she her daddy or mummy’s pet? She expresses surprises, and heaves, “I am daddy’s pet, because I admire him a lot and the best is yet to come.”
“I cannot say how many were killed in the raid by Boko Haram because we left the town while they were still on it. I saw corpses and I saw the house of our former commissioner, Isa Buratai on fire. I don’t know about the people in the house, but about two corpses were seen along the way apart from many others that we saw, ” a fleeing local, Audi Bukar, had told newsmen.
In a visit to Borno some months back, Boko Haram militants ambushed the convoy of the Nigeria chief of army staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai but were fought off by soldiers under his command.
One soldier was killed and another two wounded when the Boko Haram militants ambushed an advance team of troops moving ahead of the chief of army staff’s vehicle. However, soldiers led personally by Buratai returned fire, killing five Boko Haram members at the spot.
It was an evening of stunning musical and theatrical performances as leading telecommunications and ICT Company, MTN, feted its customers at the prestigious Eko Hotels in Lagos recently.
Tagged An Evening With MTN, the event was well attended by the cream de la cream of society. Guests present at the event included Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and his wife, Emmanuel and Chinyelu Chukwuemeka, former Super Eagles skipper his wife, Austin and Nkechi Okocha, Prince Gabriel Ijaduwa, Lusanda Jiya and Thobi Duma of South African Airways, Funmi Doherty, Prince Gabby Yadua, Mr & Ambassador Mrs Ubong Kings among others.
R&B sensation, Banky W was the host of the evening while Nigeria’s finest artistes including ace musician and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, Timi Dakoloand Mo’Cheddah gave scintillating musical performances to the delight of the guests. There was also time for former MTN Project Fame hotshot, Immaculateto display her vocal brilliance to the audience.
Speaking at the event, Director, MTN Nigeria, Gbenga Oyebode MFR, in his remarks stated that the event was organized to appreciate customers for their patronage and partnership through the years.
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