Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has declined a N30 million donation from Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a church-organised crusade held in the state.
The donation was announced during the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade by the state’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, who represented the governor.
Aliero explained that the funds were meant for the organising committee and had been approved for disbursement in cash.
He said, “Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, a faithful Governor and also a Comrade Governor, who you all know is the only Comrade Governor in this country. He has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering. That is to the organising committee. His Excellency has approved the donation of a sum of 30 million naira to the organising committee, which you know that whenever His Excellency makes a donation, he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash.”
However, shortly after the announcement, Pastor Enenche stepped forward to reject the offer. He urged that the money be redirected to a cause that would better serve the public.
He stated, “If there is anything like orphanage, if there is anything like that, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. No. It will not be received.”
Clarifying the church’s stance further, Enenche emphasized the separation between church and government resources.
He explained, “We are one of those who believe that government money should be used for government projects and government things should be used for government things; and church money should be used for church things, not mixed together. That is what we did that is what we do. As small as the Glory Dome is right there, government money is not in it. From land to the building to everything.”
Enenche added that religious institutions should remain independent and trust in divine provision.
“This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he said.
Enenche also suggested that the money, if still intended for religious purposes, be routed through credible, government-recognised Christian bodies.
“This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he noted again.
In response to the rejection, Aliero acknowledged and respected Enenche’s decision.
“They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We really appreciate and we really thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.
