The recent comments made by Peter Obi, a Nigerian politician, have sparked a heated debate online. He stated that Nigeria’s productivity would increase if people spent less time attending church vigils and more time working during the night. According to him, the traditional Friday night church gatherings hinder the country’s growth and progress.
However, Joshua Bamiloye, the son of renowned Nigerian evangelists, strongly disagreed with Obi’s views. He took to social media to express his thoughts, stating that the problem lies not with church vigils, but with the broader systemic issues that are stifling the country’s productivity. Bamiloye argued that the politician’s focus on religious gatherings is misplaced and neglects the more pressing factors that are affecting Nigeria.
Many online users sympathetic to Bamiloye’s perspective saw Obi’s comments as a criticism of religious practices in Nigeria. This exchange has led to a growing discussion about the connection between faith and socioeconomic development in the country.
According to Bamiloye, singling out church vigils as the primary cause of Nigeria’s economic woes is misguided. He asked why churchgoers are being held responsible for the country’s problems, while other activities like concerts, comedy shows, and nightlife events are left untouched in the critique.
In his social media post, Bamiloye emphasized: “So now vigils are the reason Nigeria isn’t productive? That’s a misguided mentality, at best, and an insult. Vigils are typically held on Fridays, just before the weekend. If we want to be productive, why not also ban recreational events, comedy shows, concerts, and every social gathering? The hot weather seems to have corroded some minds, leading to a failure to address the real problems.”
