In a strong statement on integrity and accountability, Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, turned down a ₦30 million cash donation offered by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a church crusade 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 informed the crowd that the ₦30 million had been approved and was being delivered in cash to the event’s organising committee.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Dr. Nasir Idris, has approved a ₦30 million donation to support this gathering,” Aliero declared. “As is his tradition, the donation is here in cash.”
However, Pastor Enenche took to the stage to firmly reject the offer. Instead, he requested that the funds be directed to charitable initiatives within the state.
“If there’s an orphanage or something similar, please direct the money there. We will not receive it,” he stated.
Explaining his decision further, the pastor emphasized the importance of keeping public funds separate from church activities. “Government money should be used strictly for government purposes, and church money for church purposes,” he said. “Even the Glory Dome, from the land to the last detail, was built without a single kobo of government funding.”
Enenche encouraged the church to continue relying on God for provision and urged that, if necessary, such donations be channeled through officially recognized Christian bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.
“This is about preserving the dignity of the Church and maintaining the freedom to speak truth when needed,” he added.
In response, Aliero acknowledged and respected the pastor’s position, saying, “They don’t accept it because whatever he’s doing, he’s doing for the sake of God. We thank him for his service to our state.”
