Concerned Nigerians have slammed Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, son of Mount Zion Faith Film Ministry founder Mike Bamiloye, for veering off-topic in his response to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s remarks about church vigils and their impact on Nigeria’s economy.
During an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, Obi suggested that politics and the church need restructuring to encourage productivity, proposing that night vigils could be turned to night shifts to help boost the country’s economic viability.
“We are going to turn night vigils into night shifts so that people can be productive. I go to church and believe in God but we can not have people, Monday to Friday being in church, morning and Night.
“NO. If I go from here now to my house, the only sign board you see is sign board of church. And if you go to the east, it is burial. That’s not a country. If you go to any other country, you see products,” Peter Obi said.
Reacting on X, which has attracted criticism from Nigerians, Joshua Mike-Bamiloye said, “So now vigils are the reason Nigeria isn’t productive? Boy, the mentality of blaming church attendance for Nigeria’s problems is very misguided one and, at best, an insult. Vigils are commonly held on Fridays, right before the weekend.
“If we want to be productive, why not also ban recreational events, comedy shows, concerts—in fact, ban every social gathering. The hot weather seems to have corroded some minds to the point that they fail to think clearly and address the real problems.”
In response, @Kcemenike told Joshua, “Did you watch the video, or you are here to talk because you have access to the internet? I hope you know that it takes less time to watch THIS video than to write this long tweet? In case you don’t know, the video is thirty-two seconds long Please do well to watch it.”
“Any small talk It is an attack on the church like you know the real thing he is talking about … goes ahead to use a clip to make his point. You love church people so much that your social media handle could not be used to campaign for the candidate that would have made Nigeria better .. everything,” @iamchrisani tweeted.
@Ogunmusi said, “You are thinking superficially. Think about it. We spent way too much time in house of worship and that’s the genuine fact. Too many houses of worship with minimal reflection in the lives of the people with morally or Financially. It’s time we do something differently.”
“When you realise that The Church, The Body of Christ, is actually the people, not your sub-dimonination, you will understand that as a follower of Christ the state of the average Nigerian is your priority. Christ came to die for lives, not buildings, not the followership of man, nor to see a lot not have while a few drive RR. You look at your country and night vigil is what is truly dear to you. May the Lord provide you the true understanding of loving thy neighbour,” @Diceoftruth tweeted.
@Pa_Chijo said, “Why do you need to pray for something unbelievers are getting through hard work , innovation and productivity. Religious idiiots. You are waiting to inherit from your father and empire built from deceiving gullible people Abi??”
“Why won’t you crawl out like the rat you are when you and your family feed fat on the insecurities and hope of a desolate people. If people had the opportunity to take on multiple jobs and more shifts to make money and support themselves where will you see customers to sell hopes and miracles in your multiple church programs?” @Nnekabusybosy said.
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