- Says churches employ more citizens than governments
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A cleric, Apostle Lawrence Bamilaw has described politicians as the major obstacles to Nigeria’s prosperity and growth.
He absolved clergymen of being culpable in the predicaments assailing the country, rather, the cleric disclosed that due to alleged failures of politicians who had been privileged to occupy political positions, Nigerians have turned to churches and pastors as their governments.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo to herald the 2023 African 24 Hours Marathon Praise, an annual programme organised by the Apostolic Grace Network, Apostle Bamilaw said the churches employ more Nigerians than governments.
He disclosed that funds that should be improving the lots of Nigerians are being embezzled by the political class in the country, leaving churches to cater for the need of the populace.
Advocating for establishment of more churches, the clergyman said if not for the support clerics are given for the welfare of vulnerable persons, many would have died of hunger.
He said, “There are more Churches in Nigeria than many countries, but we still need more because the Church is Nigeria’s saving grace.”
“The Redeemed Christian Christian Church of God, RCCG, employed thousands of people without owing them salary. Same for Winners’ Chapel and many other churches, the government needs to learn from this religious organisations.”
“The Redemption City powered itself without power outage year round, yet, people blamed Nigeria’s problem on proliferation of the Churches. For me, we even need more organised Churches to teach government how to cater for the masses,” he added.
On the worsening social vices in the society, Bamilaw claimed that traditional medicine men were backing and helping internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys” to perpetrate evil against humanity.
“These fraudsters consult them (herbalists) for fetish charms to hypnotise their victims and they are getting desired results. White men that are being defrauded everyday by Internet fraudsters are not fools, they are charmed by these boys and they start sending money to Nigeria. These fraudsters have robbed people of their earned money without conscience.
“The backing that these fraudsters receive from traditionalists is not helping our youths in anyway, rather, it is destroying their lives.
“The assurance that they will get results from traditionalists is even promoting social vices because they will do ritual killings among others,” he stated.
Bamilaw, however, lamented that religious centres would not query these youths when they drop money from proceeds of fraud as tithe, offering and zakat.
He admonished traditional rulers to dissuade traditionalists from providing charms and other fetish items for fraudsters.