by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Rev. Yomi Kasali, former Director-General of the Yemi Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2019, has urged Nigerian churches to intensify efforts in supporting the poor, warning that neglect could trigger unrest similar to the recent upheaval in Nepal.
Kasali, who is the General Overseer of the Foundation of Truth Assembly, spoke during a press conference in Lagos ahead of the church’s 2025 Giant Killers Conference. He criticised the lavish lifestyle of many churches while millions of Nigerians struggle with hunger and poverty.
“What happened in Nepal a few days ago can happen in Nigeria. No country is immune to revolution,” Kasali said, referring to protests by young Nepalis against corruption and social media restrictions, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
He expressed concern that widespread poverty could fuel anger against the wealthy, including innocent individuals. “The poor will think all the wealthy men are criminals and corrupt. And the good and the innocent may be killed, butchered and murdered,” he warned.
Kasali condemned the growing culture of opulence in churches, saying many leaders focus on extravagant projects and luxury items instead of helping their congregations. “We should stop all these Rolls-Royce competitions and bragging about buildings. It’s madness. About 75 percent of those who come to our churches are poor,” he said.
He called on the government to create tax incentives for companies committed to poverty alleviation while also urging stricter measures to ensure churches contribute more to social welfare since they are exempt from taxes.
“My fear is that if we fail to fix poverty, poverty will fix us. Imagine if 20 big firms in Nigeria brought in N20 billion each for poverty alleviation—that’s N400 billion. Poverty, if ignored, comes like a tsunami,” he added.
Kasali commended President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Government for their efforts so far but stressed that insecurity and crime will only decline when poverty is tackled.
He also advised churches and mosques to shift focus from materialism to moral teaching, describing them as key moral institutions in society.
The church’s 2025 Giant Killers Conference, themed “The Stone and the Slingshot”, will run from September 21 to 27. Guest speakers include Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Dr. Felix Omobude.