Social media activist Verydarkman has criticised a preaching by cleric Osayi Arome, arguing that excessive reliance on prayer and religious revival could discourage Nigerians from pursuing innovation and practical solutions.
Reacting to Arome’s comments about the calling of Nigeria being revival, Verydarkman said religious institutions had contributed to what he described as the country’s lack of development.
“It is this kind of preaching that put Nigeria where it is today. The church and the mosque have contributed to why we are still laid back as a nation. The people that are meant to be innovative and creative are praying every day for a miracle.”
Verydarkman argued that Nigerians have the same intellectual capacity as people in countries whose technological and industrial development they admire, but said the difference lies in how that capacity is utilised.
“These nations that we look up to have the same brain like us. But instead of us to use our own brains, we’ll go to church.”
He also accused Arome of encouraging people to focus on religious activities and financial contributions rather than innovation, while describing the cleric in derogatory terms.
“That is why morons like this… I’ll call him a moron, can use you people. This is what he is saying to you because he wants you to come and drop offering and tithes, let his own business be moving.”
Addressing Arome directly, VeryDarkMan questioned his emphasis on revival and his reported criticism of people showcasing technological innovations from other countries.
“Osayi Arome, oga sir, you said the calling of Nigeria is revival, are you not mad? That they should not be talking about Nigeria and showing engines. So na we you dey throw sub.”
He further defended Nigerians who travel abroad to showcase innovations and those supporting efforts to bring technical expertise and knowledge back to Nigeria.
“We wey dey travel dey show Nigerians say this is innovation and what creativity has done for their nation, we wey dey sponsor people come China make them come build Nigeria, we no know wetin we dey do…..”