By Ebenezer Mabinuola
In a rare public stance that has drawn widespread praise, Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, declined a ₦30 million donation from Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, during the ongoing Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade.
The donation, presented on stage by the state’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, was politely rejected in front of a large crowd. Videos of the moment quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, sparking nationwide debate on ethics, transparency, and the boundaries between religious institutions and government.
Pastor Enenche emphasized that public funds should not be used for church donations. Citing the Glory Dome in Abuja – his ministry’s massive headquarters -he noted that it was built entirely through private contributions. “Not one kobo of government money,” he stated.
He urged that the money be directed to orphanages or routed through official government religious bodies like the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or CAN. “Let it be used for the people,” he said.
Commissioner Aliero thanked the pastor for his integrity, calling the decision one made in the public interest. Many Nigerians have since hailed Enenche’s action as a principled stand that could reshape expectations of ethical conduct between church and state.
