COVID-19: Putting Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s conspiracy theory where it belongs – the trash can
The oratory prowess of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the LoveWorld Incorporated aka Christ Embassy is not in doubt, his angelic voice when he sings and sound biblical knowledge are topnotch. He is an avid writer with several motivational books to his credit. In addition to all of these, he is a good looking man, if he doesn’t catch your attention with his gifts, you would at least take another look when he appears on your television screen. What needs to be subjected to public scrutiny is his knowledge of science.
This writer took time to immerse himself into the public profile of the pastor who leads a congregation of millions of people in Nigeria and overseas, aside his degree in Architecture obtained from Bendel State University, now known as Ambrose Alli University in Edo State, I’m yet to find in his Resume any certification that qualifies him as an authority in the field of science.
Many of us had ignored those pushing the conspiracy theory falsely claiming that 5G – which is used in mobile phone networks and relies on signals carried by radio waves – is somehow responsible for coronavirus, until Oyakhilome started using his privileged position to give credence to the baseless theories. Such misinformation coming from a man of authority shouldn’t be ignored.
Hear him: “The Federal Government was pushed to lockdown Abuja and Lagos specifically because of 5G in Abuja and Lagos. They had already tested 5G in Abuja and now they are digging in Lagos to get it ready. That is why they locked down Abuja and Lagos so that the 5G can be installed.
“I have said before that what killed people in Wuhan, China, was not the virus but the 5G. If you say it is not, tell us how you discovered yours. The world is not dealing with a virus. This is the biggest deception in the world. You cannot hide from a virus by staying in your house,” he said in a viral video. Wow! To say his comments are uninformed and misguided is trying to be modest and mild on him.
There is no better way to describe Oyakhilome’s theory other than using the words of Dr Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, who described the notion as “complete rubbish” and biologically impossible.
“Viruses and electromagnetic waves that make mobile phones and internet connections work are different things. As different as chalk and cheese,” Clarke said.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has also said: ‘’There is no correlation between 5G Technology and COVID-19. 5G is an advancement on today’s 4G technology, designed to transform the world positively. 5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology which is an improvement on today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities.”
We may need to ask Pastor Chris what’s the correlation between the pulpit and science? If a Pastor Enoch Adeboye comes out to talk about a mathematical problem and how to solve it, we will give him attention, we know he was an associate professor of mathematics before his transition from classroom to full time ministry.
The danger in Oyakhilome’s position is that millions of his followers across the world would consume it hook, line and sinker and take it as the truth. Even if he recants his words tomorrow, many will still hold on to it, the damage has been done. This is why misinformation should be taken very serious. Religious leaders are not just regarded as opinion molders, they exert great influence on their followers, this is why they need to be very careful in choosing their words and when they are not careful, they need to be called to order by higher authorities.
There is also a need for government to put such comment with the toga of religious extremism and fanaticism into serious check before it gets out of hand. We should not forget in a hurry that this is how Boko Haram was birthed before it grew into a monster threatening the peace of not only those who looked away, but also the world.
It is commendable that his fellow clergyman Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Center (KICC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have called him to order over the misguided comment, but he needs to admit he does not know what he is saying in order not to jeopardise the efforts of government and health workers at the front line of fighting the deadly virus.
“If coronavirus is caused by 5G, why is it in his village that does not have a 5G?” Ashimolowo asked in a recent sermon.
“It has always been the nature of Christian leaders to plant fear in their members whenever there was going to be a major world occurrence. The church should be more concerned about preparing their members for the Second Coming of the Lord instead of condemning a major technological breakthrough. It’s fake news to associate 5G to coronavirus,” he added.
NOA said in a statement on Tuesday: “Is he saying the lockdown in US and China is also because they want to lay 5G cables? If that is what he said then he is not informed and he needs to be educated. Nigeria needs to come together to fight this pandemic. It is real and we must fight it. If this kind of information continues to be disseminated, we will be the worse for it”.
For the sake of Oyakhilome’s millions of followers scattered across the world who see him as God’s mouthpiece and many others, there is a need to rightly put his words where they belong, no where else other than the trash can. We have to say it the way it is!
