Over 15 years after a similar gesture by a Benue State-based preacher who humbly declined a gift of over N30 million from a politically-exposed person to complete an auditorium on his camp ground, another, Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, has made headlines after rejecting a N30 million cash donation from Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during an evangelical crusade held in the state between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Benue-based preacher was credited with saying when he polite-refused the huge sum: “The Lord has not told us that you would give us such an amount. Please keep it, as soon as he does, we will get back to you.” He has since not reverted to the politician. He also rejected the gift of a Sports Utility Vehicle from a state chief executive.
But these gestures differ from yet another popular preacher in Lagos who allegedly directed an anti-graft agency years ago to go to Heaven to collect the proceeds of crime a member of his congregation used to purchase a massive generator for the church.
The donation to Enenche, announced by Kebbi State’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, was intended as a gesture of appreciation for Pastor Enenche’s visit and the spiritual outreach led by the church. Addressing the crowd, Aliero stated that the N30 million had been approved by Governor Idris for the event’s organising committee and was available in cash to be handed over on the spot.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Dr. Nasir Idris, a Comrade Governor and a man of generosity, has graciously approved the sum of 30 million naira for this crusade,” Aliero declared. “As is his custom, the donation is ready in cash and will be presented before I leave this stage.”
However, Pastor Enenche, visibly surprised by the announcement, promptly declined the offer on stage. While expressing gratitude for the governor’s goodwill, he insisted that the funds be redirected to charitable causes such as orphanages or other institutions that serve the public good.
“We sincerely appreciate the gesture and the generous heart of His Excellency,” Enenche said. “But we will not take this money. If there is any orphanage or other charitable cause you know of, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. It will not be received by us.”
The pastor later elaborated on his reasons, emphasising the need for clear boundaries between church and government resources.
“We believe government money should be used strictly for government purposes,” he explained. “Church money should be used for church work, and they should not be mixed. Everything we’ve built—including the Glory Dome (the 100,000-capacity church complex along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Way to the Abuja Airport) – has been done without a single kobo of government funding.”
Enenche further suggested that if the funds must be used in a religious context, they could be directed through official government-approved religious bodies, such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“This is how the church maintains its dignity,” he stated. “So we can continue to speak truth when necessary and remain accountable only to God.”
Following the pastor’s public rejection of the funds, Aliero acknowledged and respected the decision.
“They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God,” the commissioner said. “We truly appreciate him and thank him for his commitment to our state.”
The moment has since gone viral on social media, with many Nigerians praising Pastor Enenche for his integrity, independence, and unwavering commitment to transparency in spiritual leadership.
