The senior Pastor of Abuja-based Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche on Monday delegated his Personal Assistant, Sylvester Edoh to apologise to a member of his church, Vera Anyim whom he had insulted and labelled a liar during a service on Sunday.
In a trending video, Pastor Enenche had cut short the lady’s testimony on the grounds that she was unable to speak good English. Ms. Anyim was testifying that she had become the “only graduate in her family,” having taken part in a recent convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). She had said that she had graduated with a “BSc” in law as against the “LLB” awarded by Nigerian universities to graduates of law.
However, arising from criticisms from many Nigerians when it was proven that the lady was indeed telling the truth, the pastor in a statement issued by his PA stated that he never meant to disgrace the lady.
Though unable to personally apologise to the church member, Pastor Enenche and his wife is seen a trending photograph where they posed with Ms. Anyim.
Part of the statement signed by the personal assistant to the pastor, Sylvester Edoh reads:
“A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.
“These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario: First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met. Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.
“Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally. These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a “lie.”
“However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university. It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.
“The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
“While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica.
“The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and had already reached out to her. As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna.”
Enenche assured of his commitment towards Vera’s physical welfare as well as her spiritual growth