ABUJA — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has ignited a fierce national debate by characterizing the modern Nigerian clergy as a refuge for those who failed to secure traditional employment. In a series of pointed remarks that have resonated across social media, Sowore specifically targeted the leadership of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, regarding their medical backgrounds.
Sowore recounted a direct encounter where he challenged the couple to leverage their medical degrees for the public good. His proposal was blunt: convert their massive church auditoriums into functional hospitals for at least a year. He argued that as trained doctors, the Enenches would save significantly more lives practicing medicine than they do by collecting tithes and offerings from a struggling populace. According to the activist, this suggestion was met with visible hostility, leading to a permanent rift between himself and the cleric.
The critique has sparked a polarized response across the country. While many supporters laud Sowore for highlighting the perceived commercialization of faith, critics have dismissed his comments as a disrespectful oversimplification of spiritual calling. The controversy arrives at a time of heightened economic tension, where the contrast between the immense wealth of religious institutions and the nation’s crumbling healthcare infrastructure is under increasing scrutiny.
By framing the ministry as a fallback for the “jobless,” Sowore has shifted the conversation toward the social responsibility of the church. He maintains that if the skills to heal via science exist within the pulpit, they should be used to provide tangible relief to the public rather than staying confined to the spiritual realm. The “hospital challenge” remains a focal point of discussion, forcing a conversation on whether the church’s vast resources should be redirected toward critical public services.
