By Remi Johnson
The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has urged leaders and individuals to prioritise making meaningful contributions to society over the accumulation of wealth.
Dr Enenche who gave the charge during the inauguration of the Dunamis Pedestrian Bridge in Abuja, explained that people would ultimately be remembered for the positive impact they made on humanity.
He thanked the present administration for granting the church approval to construct the pedestrian bridge, a request that had remained unfulfilled since 2018.
He emphasised that genuine love must be demonstrated through selfless service, generosity and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Drawing from 1 John 4, which describes God as love, and John 3:16, which illustrates God’s love through the giving of His only begotten Son, the cleric said anyone who claims to be a messenger of God must equally become a messenger of love through giving.
He identified four essential dimensions of love: giving, contribution and distribution, societal impact, and posterity, stressing that love was the opposite of selfishness and greed.
According to him, while selfishness and greed focus on what individuals stand to gain, genuine love is expressed through what they give to others and how they contribute to the common good.
He further stressed that impact was more important than income, noting that although people could make a living through what they received, they made a lasting difference through what they gave back to humanity and society.
“Nobody has ever been buried with their money. Nobody has ever been buried with their resources. Nobody has ever been buried with their cars or their houses. Our impact is more important than our income,” he said.
Enenche also highlighted the importance of posterity, observing that people would be remembered by future generations for the problems they solved, those they failed to address, or the problems they created.
He, however, reminded leaders and individuals that beyond their earthly legacies, everyone would ultimately give an account of their stewardship before God.
Citing Hebrews 9:27, he said death and divine judgment were inevitable, stressing that nobody would escape accountability, irrespective of their position, influence or social status.
He listed pastors, church members, Politicians, Governors, Presidents, Senators and other public office holders among those who would stand before God to account for how they utilised the opportunities and resources entrusted to them.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, who commissioned the pedestrian bridge, commended Enenche and his wife for demonstrating purposeful leadership through their commitment to humanitarian services and the welfare of residents.
Wike described the project as a practical demonstration of people-oriented leadership, noting that the church had complemented the government’s efforts by addressing the safety and welfare needs of the people.
The Minister recalled that the church’s application for the project was submitted in 2018 but was approved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration through his office, describing the development as evidence of responsive leadership.
According to him, leadership remains essential to the growth of every institution, including religious organisations, adding that the achievements of the church reflected the capacity of its leadership to combine spiritual responsibilities with practical interventions.
“Even as a pastor, if there is no leadership in you, this church will never move forward. The leadership prowess you and your wife have as pastors is the reason why we are here today, watching the documentary and seeing what you have done as a church,” Wike said.
Responding to Enenche’s request for the construction of a protective shield on the pedestrian bridge, the FCT Minister immediately approved the proposal and pledged that the FCT Administration would bear 50 percent of the cost.
He said the current administration was committed to supporting organisations making meaningful contributions to society, adding that the government was willing to partner with institutions whose interventions complemented its efforts to improve citizens’ welfare.
Wike also urged residents living around the area and members of the church to utilise the pedestrian bridge to ensure their safety when crossing the road.
Also speaking, the Senator representing the FCT, Senator Ireti Kingibe, commended Enenche for his contributions to societal development and urged other religious organisations to emulate the church by investing in projects that directly benefit their host communities.
The commissioning ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including lawmakers, top FCT officials, security personnel, representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among other guests.