A-list comedian, master of ceremony and actor, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba, has revealed that the late founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, was on his neck to become a minister of the Gospel.

The Religious Studies & Philosophy graduate from Ambrose Ali University who will clock 56 years on June 24 made the disclosure on Thursday on the social media.

According to the father of five, the late prophet kept reminding him to take up the work in God’s vineyard but he (Ali Baba) continued to give excuses.

The Warri, Delta State-born laugh merchant said the whole episode started when Prophet Joshua clocked 50 and he was invited to go and entertain the congregation at the Synagogue church to let them “know that laughter helps to heal the soul”.

He said that after the event, the prophet gave him a Fisher Electronic Bible and said,

“Always stay close to God and read His words everyday. You have a destiny for God.”

According to the entertainer who persevered in the early days of his career to professionalise his skills and carve a niche as an innovator and comedian for corporate and non-corporate events, the prophet had asked him before the gift why he had not gone into church administration, and the late founder continued to remind him to obey the call until he gave up the ghost on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

Below is the text of Ali Baba’s revelation which he presented as a tribute to the late prophet:

When you turned 50 and your people said you needed comedians to come and entertain your congregation, I was VERRRRRRY SCEPTICAL.

You said you wanted them to know that laughter helps to heal the soul.

MC Abbey da Prof and Lepacious Bose were the only ones who agreed to come. Even these two had reservations. Just like when we went to entertain President Yaradua in Katsina, Lepacious said, “Bros, if you’ll go, I will follow you”.

I remember during the performances when my colleagues were done, and during my performance I walked unto the Altar and picked an apple and a banana... the whole congregation went silent.

You later told me that you watched all our performances from your office and cracked up at the look on the faces of the congregation.

When we (Abbey and Bose) each had a private meeting with you, you asked why I had not gone into church administration. I told you that I didn’t think I wanted to fast or intercede for anybody. And I said I have not been a good boy.

You laughed and asked me, “Are you badder than King David and Apostle Paul? Even if you are a killer, God can use anyone.”

You then started telling me what only I knew about myself. Just as you were saying those things, I thought, this man may be fake, and you said, “You may think I am fake but it’s ok. I can’t make you change your thinking. That is you.” I froze.

Then you prayed and gave me a “thanks for coming”. I then said thank you. And I thought “I would share it 3 ways”. You did that mind reading again. “That’s for you alone.”

You stopped at the door and went to a drawer to gift me a Fisher Electronic Bible. “Always stay close to God and read His words everyday. You have a destiny for God.”

In the last 8 years, you’ve consistently called to say “My brother, how are you? Draw nearer to God.” One time you asked, “What is holding you up from God’s work?” And after my COVID experience, you called to pray and sent something “for phensic”. I told you the “phensic” made the prayer work faster. You laughed.

You always joked that you were older than me by 12 days, as I was born on June 24th.

“Rest on Man of God.”

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