The Lead Pastor and founder of Celebration Church International, Emmanuel Iren, has responded to the comment made by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, suggesting that Nigerians transform night vigils into night shifts to ensure productivity.
According to Iren, Nigerians attend vigils due to a lack of job opportunities, not because of their religious beliefs.
He questioned Obi’s logic, asking if he would similarly criticize people for wasting “economic hours” at the gym or socializing with friends.
Iren argued that Obi’s comments were inappropriate, especially given his governmental background. He labelled Obi’s suggestion as “gaslighting.”
The pastor emphasized that if the government provided more jobs, Nigerians wouldn’t need to rely on prayers and vigils to cope with economic struggles.
Obi’s initial comments stemmed from frustration with Nigeria’s widespread poverty and low productivity, which he attributed to the nation’s focus on politics and religion. He suggested that time spent attending night vigils could be better spent working.
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What’s your take on Pastor Emmanuel Iren reply to Peter Obi on the vigil conversation?
— High Chief Lawrence I. Okoro ( Sir Law ) (@LawrenceOkoroPG) November 11, 2024
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