Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre refused a N30m donation from Kebbi Governor, insisting public funds are for public causes

The Enenche Donation Rejection made headlines recently when Dr Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, turned down a N30 million donation from Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

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This significant gesture occurred during the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade organised by the church in the state.

Zayyanu Umar Aliero, Kebbi’s Commissioner for Social Duties and a representative of the governor, publicly announced the cash gift.

Aliero told the gathering that Governor Idris had approved the N30 million as a donation to the crusade’s organising committee, confirming its immediate availability in cash.

“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,” Aliero stated.

He further added, “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, Pastor Enenche swiftly declined the offer. He took to the stage, urging that the money be redirected to charitable causes instead.

“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,” the senior pastor firmly said.

Speaking later, Pastor Enenche clarified the church’s position. He emphasised that public funds should be used solely for public 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,” he explained.

“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 added that the body of Christ should “trust God for supernatural supplies.” Pastor Enenche suggested the donation be given to a government approved religious body instead.

He mentioned organisations such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria.

“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,” he added.

Aliero, speaking after the rejection, acknowledged Pastor Enenche’s stance.

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“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 commented, accepting the pastor’s decision gracefully.