“You moved your family to a country that was not built on prayer” — VDM calls out Pastor Arome

Nigerian activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has reacted to a video in which Pastor Arome Osayi and his wife announced that they had secured permanent residence in the United States.

VDM questioned the development, drawing attention to some of Pastor Arome’s previous teachings about Nigeria’s supposed national calling and the importance of prayer.

In the video referenced by VDM, Pastor Arome had spoken about the different strengths and purposes of nations, particularly in relation to Nigeria, China and technological development.

He was quoted as saying, “So the next time you see someone showing what the Chinese are doing, that they are making engine, and then showing what the Nigerians are doing, we are praying, you don’t understand that nations have callings. Our calling as a nation is revival.”

According to VDM, Pastor Arome had also argued that comparing China’s technological achievements with Nigeria’s emphasis on prayer missed the point because, in his view, the two countries had different national callings.

The activist said the message could influence young Nigerians to place greater emphasis on prayer while paying less attention to creativity, technological development and innovation.

VDM questions the decision to relocate to America

Reacting to the pastor’s announcement, VDM questioned why Pastor Arome would move his family to the United States, which he described as a country that developed through technological advancement, innovation and intellectual pursuits rather than being built around prayer and revival.

He said, “Therefore you are conditioning the minds of the youth in Nigeria that they should forget about creativity and innovation and they should rely on prayers, meanwhile you have now carried your family and taken them to America that was not built with prayer and certain calling of revival. That was built with technology and brains and doing, not relying on prayers.”

VDM also questioned the decision to publicly announce the acquisition of permanent residence, particularly because Pastor Arome had reportedly said he prayed about the development.

He argued that the pastor’s decision raised questions about the message being communicated to young Nigerians who may look up to religious leaders for guidance.

VDM cites American innovators

The activist further pointed to the United States’ record in technology and entrepreneurship while making his argument.

He said, “You moved your family to a country that is not built with prayers, that the youths were encouraged to think outside the box. Geniuses later came. Facebook, the founder of Facebook is in the United States. Bezos is there. Elon is there. One billionaire there are 20 to 30 from that place. And these people are not prayer warriors. These people are inventors and innovators.”

VDM used the examples to argue that technological advancement requires creativity, innovation, education and practical action, alongside whatever role individuals may attach to faith and prayer.

VDM challenges message to Nigerian youths

In concluding his reaction, VDM criticised what he described as a contradiction between encouraging Nigerian youths to focus on prayer while discouraging them from looking towards countries such as China for examples of technological development.

He said, “But they are telling the youth of Nigeria that they should not look at China, that China is building machines. They should forget China and they should rely on prayers.”

Watch the video here…