Dr. Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has provided clarity on why he turned down a ₦30 million donation offered by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a recent crusade hosted in the state. During his Sunday sermon at the Dunamis headquarters in Abuja, Pastor Enenche explained that his refusal was grounded in a long-standing personal principle: not to accept government funding or financial support of any kind within his ministry. He made it clear that the rejection was not a direct affront to Governor Idris. Instead, it reflects a firm and consistent position he has maintained for over twenty years. “Some people may be surprised because they don’t know who we are. But for those who do, this is no surprise. This is how we have lived and what we have always stood for,” Pastor Enenche emphasized. To further reinforce his point, the preacher cited several previous situations where he also declined financial rewards, even during national religious engagements. One of the notable instances he mentioned occurred in 2014, when the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board invited him to Jerusalem alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and other state governors. He revealed that he personally covered all his expenses and refused to accept any honorarium. “When we returned, the board chairman presented an offering, calling it an honorarium. I turned it down,” he recalled. Pastor Enenche went on to say that even when ex-President Jonathan attended his church multiple times during his tenure, no financial contribution or exchange ever took place. Concerning the massive church headquarters project, he proudly stated: “There is not a single naira of government money in this building.” He also mentioned similar experiences, including an encounter with former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and another with a childhood friend who later became a federal minister. In both cases, he refused their monetary or material gifts, including an offer of a vehicle. According to him, the motive behind such decisions is rooted in a sincere desire to maintain his prophetic integrity and freedom to speak truth to power without being compromised. “I don’t want to touch a single dime of government money,” he insisted, stating that accepting any form of financial support from public officials could hinder his ability to preach without bias.
The Nigeria Youths Frontiers and Peace Advocates (NYFPA) has criticized social media influencer Reno Omokri for his recent comments targeting Nigerian clerics, particularly Pastor Becky Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre. Omokri sparked controversy within the Christian community by referring to Pastor Enenche as a “Yahoo girl on the altar” after she emphasized the importance of tithing during a sermon. In response, the NYFPA condemned Omokri’s remarks, calling them “inflammatory, baseless, and deeply irresponsible.” The group argued that his words were unbecoming of someone who identifies as a political activist and public commentator. Samuel Geofrey, the NYFPA’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement saying, “Reno Omokri’s comments are an affront to millions of Nigerians who hold their faith and spiritual leaders in high regard. His choice of language demonstrates a profound lack of respect for Christianity and undermines the principles of dialogue and mutual understanding in a civilized society.” The group also criticized Omokri’s controversial public history, alleging inconsistencies in his career, personal life, and political stances. They accused him of exploiting divisive rhetoric to maintain public relevance, often to the detriment of unity and constructive discourse. Reaffirming their commitment to truth, justice, and peace, the NYFPA urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and work toward fostering mutual respect and understanding. The statement added, “Omokri’s remarks not only insult Pastor Becky Enenche but also disregard the millions of Nigerians who deeply value their faith and spiritual leaders. His words betray a profound disrespect for Christianity and the foundational principles of dialogue and mutual respect in a civilized society.” The group further expressed disappointment, stating that Omokri, who positions himself as a moral and political figure, has a reputation marred by inconsistency, self-interest, and a tendency to incite unnecessary controversies. RenoOmokri #PastorBeckyEnenche #NYFPA #ReligiousTolerance #ChristianFaith #TithingDebate #NigerianClerics #SocialMediaControversy READ ALSO:
