Nigerian cleric Pastor Chris Ogugua has sparked debate after claiming that many pastors in Africa would lose their churches if the continent had enough employment opportunities for its people.
Speaking during a sermon, Ogugua argued that the widespread popularity of prosperity preaching is largely driven by unemployment, poverty and the lack of economic opportunities across many African countries.
According to him, many people attend churches seeking financial breakthroughs because they have limited means of earning a decent living.
“All of this prosperity thing we are praying for is ignorance,” the cleric said, adding that if the biblical Job were to live in Africa today, “most pastors will lose their ministry.”
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To illustrate his point, Ogugua shared the example of his 13-year-old daughter, saying she could earn about £20 per hour by walking dogs in some foreign countries.
“If my daughter wakes up in the morning and says, ‘You’re going to work. Can I walk out your dog?’ Every one hour is £20. So my daughter of 13 years can make close to ₦2 million every month and still be a student,” he said.
He argued that a young person with such earning opportunities would have little reason to seek prayers against forces allegedly preventing financial success.
“When it comes to church and you’re asking them, ‘Pray for the witches against your prosperity,’ she’ll be watching you,” he said.
Ogugua further criticised what he described as Africa’s version of Christianity, saying the continent has developed “its own brand of faith” centred on the pursuit of prosperity.
“We are selling it, and people are buying it,” he said.
The cleric also questioned the source of wealth of many affluent individuals, insisting that only a small number of them made their fortunes legitimately.
“Bring all your rich men. Only very few of them have legitimate wealth. Find out,” he added.
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