Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has declined a ₦30 million donation offered by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, during a church event held in the state.
The donation was publicly announced during the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade by the state’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero.
Addressing the congregation, Aliero said:
“Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, has graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering.”
However, when Pastor Enenche mounted the stage, he politely turned down the offer, urging that the money be redirected to charitable causes.
“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,” he declared.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision, the pastor emphasized that public funds should be used strictly for government responsibilities, not church-related initiatives.
“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,” Enenche said.
“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.”
He further recommended that if the state still wished to make a donation in a religious context, it should go through officially recognized Christian institutions.
“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.”
Reacting to the rejection, Commissioner Aliero expressed understanding and appreciation for Enenche’s stance.
“They didn’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We appreciate and we thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.
