Martin Obono, a Nigerian Facebook user, has blasted Usani Uguru, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for using his official letterhead to invite Nigerians to a service in his church.
Obono noted that Uguru’s action is quite insensitive, especially given the ongoing hardship of citizens as a result of the crippling fuel scarcity.
Uguru, who, according to Wikipedia, is also a pastor, wrote the letter of invitation using the letterhead of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, not his personal letter head or that of his church.
The letter, which has already gone viral on the social media, has elicited strong-worded criticisms by Nigerians, many describing the situation as unfortunate.
“I just saw a post from you, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, representing Cross River State at the Federal Executive Council, inviting people to a religious programme on the letterhead of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Obono wrote on Saturday.
“This madness has got to STOP! Nigeria is not a religious State. It does appear that we use religion to cover incompetence in this country.
“To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Minister, you have not engaged young people in one single job creation empowerment programme for the teeming population of unemployed youth in your immediate constituency, Yakurr local government, talk less of the rest of the state.
“You have never done a letter like this inviting people to a town hall meeting or skill acquisition training. Despite being aware of the level of hunger and poverty in the state, you are telling people to come and worship God.
“Is that what the Bible teaches you? Haven’t you read what the Bible says in James 2: 15-16? Or you pick and choose to obey the scriptures that suits your clandestine and impious agenda?
“My advise to you Mr. Minister, is that, you design a letterhead in your name for purposes like this. The letterhead of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was printed with tax payers money.
“There are Muslims, Traditional worshippers, atheists among those tax payers and even Buddhists. How do you think they will feel when they see these?
On a final note, Mr. Minister, please be reminded that you are a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Minister of Christian worshippers alone.”