Nigerians have criticised members of the Living Faith Church, AKA Winners Chapel, over the gifting of a Rolls Royce car to the General Overseer of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo, as he celebrated his 70th birthday.
The renowned clergyman who turned 70 on Friday, 27 September 2024, was gifted a Rolls Royce car by his members, an act that has attracted backlash from Nigerians.
In a series of statements on X, Nigerians lamented that the funds used in buying the clergy such a luxury car should have been used to fend for the poor.
They also lamented how poor members of the church cannot afford to send their children to Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, due to high tuition.
Displeased Nigerians argued that ”If the church cares about the poor, it should invest in helping them instead of flaunting wealth.”
This publication highlights some of the reactions of Nigerians to the Rolls Royce gift Oyedepo received.
Ajibare, ” It’s hard to understand how people can defend spending so much on luxury cars while so many are suffering. Comparing Bishop Oyedepo’s gifts to a biblical story misses the point.
”If the church cares about the poor, it should invest in helping them instead of flaunting wealth. We need leaders who genuinely support everyone, not just those at the top. Let us know how much he budgets for the poor!”
Progress Eghe, ”His university is one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive; poor members of the church can’t afford it; Nigerians always like adding water to an already filled drum while the empty ones remain empty.”
Ade, ”Sorry, but members of the living faith church are actually insensitive for buying the bishop a Rolls-Royce because he definitively doesn’t need it. I’m pretty sure the money could be used for the church or community in honour of him.”
Godstime Orgorgor, ”You can’t be speaking glowingly of a criminal pastor whose stock in trade is to amass wealth and deceive gullible Nigerians. The church in Nigeria is now a lucrative business that all the daddy GOs care about is wealth.”
Charles Akinsade, ”If any church leaders could be found using luxury items, then the president of Nigeria deserves to enjoy more without saying people are hungry out there.”
Emmy Tripp, ”It’s not about having a so-called “welfare budget for the poor that is larger than whatsover.” It’s about practicing what you preach by implementing it in the smallest of things. Covenant University isn’t affordable for the majority of his members, which constitutes mainly of the poor.”
Lekia Mozilla, ”These pastors are leaving the best of their lives now, building castles on earth, and acquiring whatever gives them pleasure and comfort here on earth. But they will be giving you hope of going to heaven. Enjoy your life now.”
”Dear pastors, you are fully aware that there is no other heaven anywhere. The heavens are with us here and now. So leave your life to the fullest. Enjoy your wealth while you are still alive because death is the end of life. There is no life after death, and this pastor knows.”
Clement Betiku, ”Who caused this to Nigeria and Nigerians? A nation where millions of Nigerians are suffering from hunger and the people can’t find molue to journey to work, where millions are starving to death and hunger to pay tithes, bishops, pastors, and the GO used Rolls Royce as taxis.”
Kelvin Richard, ”Where is the spirit of being content with what you have after too many exotic cars and jets? Well, I am not surprised Nigeria is a destination for all manner of funny things.”
Balogun Peter, ”In fact it is well. When you gift Pastor Oyedepo such a car and his so-called university is not for the masses or common people, then there is nothing you can tell me that I will believe about how he has been touching life’s. It should reflect on his university.”
