Jonathan Nwokpor
Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, discussed the controversy surrounding a woman who testified that she was a “B.SC graduate of law” from the Open University of Nigeria, or NOUN, on Monday.
When Pastor Enenche interjected during Vera Ayim’s testimony on Sunday, he maintained he never meant to bring disgrace onto the testifier.
Vera appeared on the Dunamis Church altar on Sunday to testify how God had made her the “only graduate in her family.”
Vera testified that she received a “BSc in Law” from NOUN.
When Pastor Enenche inquired about her degree, she replied, “B.Sc. in Law.”
The cleric became enraged and accused Vera of lying.
Nigerians were agitated about the incident on social media, demanding that Enenche apologize.
Enenche responded that his decision was more motivated by his and the church’s dislike of seeming mediocre and untruthful.
Enenche promised he had personally contacted Vera, speaking through his personal assistant Sylvester Edoh.
A statement signed by Edoh reads: “A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.
“These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario: First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met. Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.
“Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally. These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a “lie.”
“However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university. It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.
“The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
“While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica.
“The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and had already reached out to her. As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna.”
Vera Anyim meets Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche
After testifying on Monday that she was a “BSc graduate of law” from the National Open University of Nigeria, or NOUN, Veronica Anyim, the woman accused of lying, met Dr. Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and his wife, Becky Enenche.
ZINGTIE reports that Pastor Enenche accused Vera of lying after she stated in a Sunday live service that she had graduated from NOUN after ten years.
A social media video clip showed how the senior pastor cut short her testimony, accusing her of lying when she said she had a bachelor’s degree in law.
ZINGTIE reports that concerned Nigerians have been reacting to the pastor’s request for an apology to Vera all over the Internet.
Since then, the church has expressed regret and said the development was unintentional.
Vera posted pictures of herself, Pastor Enenche, and his spouse on her Facebook page shortly after the apology became public.
Vera emphasized that she is still dedicated to “serving God as a member of Dunamis church” and holds no grudges against the pastor or the congregation.
The post reads, “I want to inform the whole world that I just had a warm meeting with my spiritual father and mother dr Paul Enenche and dr Becky Enenche.
“I don’t have any grudge against the church or them I remain committed to serving God as a member of Dunamis church.
“I am thankful for the concern of the public. I have put the situation at my back and I have moved forward and I want everybody to do the same. Peace.”
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