The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, has described his appointment as a “divine calling”.
Dr Doro said this during a church service held on Sunday at ECWA Gospel 2 Church, Jenta, Jos, Plateau State.
Addressing the congregation at the church where he gave his life Christ more than two decades ago, Dr Doro expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for considering him suitable for national service.
“I want to say a special thank you to the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding me worthy to be appointed a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that the portfolio aligns seamlessly with his life’s passion, emphasising his long-standing commitment to welfare and humanitarian causes.
The pharmacist recalled his service on the church’s welfare committee and highlighted his continued involvement in pastoral care teams in the United Kingdom, where he lived for more than twenty years.
“He gave us a ministry that is actually my call, my calling,” Dr Doro said, referencing his extensive experience in humanitarian work.
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He also thanked the congregation for celebrating his appointment, acknowledging their prayers, and adding that he would “need more prayers” as he takes on the responsibilities of his new office.
After the minister delivered his speech, a prayer session was held in his honour.
Reverend Lanya, who was pastor when Dr Doro became born again, led the prayers, asking for God’s guidance and favour in his life and in his new role.
Intentional giving
During his sermon, the pastor in charge of the church counselled the congregation on selecting and practising the most effective method of sowing.
Drawing his message from 2 Corinthians 9:6–11, he highlighted the principle of sowing and reaping to prepare the congregation for the forthcoming Thanksgiving service.
He emphasised that Christian giving should be deliberate, planned, intentional, and rooted in biblical teachings, inspired by faith rather than spontaneous or offered reluctantly.
“Each person should give what they have resolved in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,” the pastor declared, urging church members to approach their giving with the same enthusiasm they display in singing and dancing during preparations for Thanksgiving.
He described biblically motivated generosity as “God giving through Himself using real humans as instruments,” framing giving as both a privilege and an opportunity for believers to actively participate in God’s work.
Backstory
The Minister worshipped at a church after arriving in the state following his assumption of office on Friday.
As part of his official engagements, he joined Senate President Godswill Akpabio, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and other party stakeholders to receive thousands of members from opposition parties who had defected to the ruling party on Saturday.
Addressing the crowd, Dr Doro delivered a clear message of allegiance and political mobilisation, urging attendees to support Tinubu’s administration.
He credited the government with tangible achievements, noting that “the evidence of democracy has come onto the Plateau.”
He encouraged the new members to spread the party’s message of success and to motivate more citizens to “decamp to the APC.”
Earlier, before receiving the defectors, Dr Doro accused the Plateau State government of subjecting citizens to hardship and injustice.
READ ALSO: New Humanitarian minister Doro pledges service to humanity, calls for united front on poverty
He commended APC supporters for maintaining calm and discipline despite what he described as deliberate attempts to disrupt a major APC gathering in Jos on Friday, where many of the newly decamped members met with Yilwatda
At the event, held at a centre opposite the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, the Minister praised supporters for refraining from violence, highlighting this as a display of political maturity in the face of perceived unfair treatment by the state government.
Expressing dismay, he remarked that while the Federal Government (FG) is working to expand employment opportunities, the Plateau State government is instead “disengaging workers rather than creating jobs and improving people’s lives.”
Dr Doro explained that the restraint shown by APC supporters was a key reason for his presence at the meeting alongside the APC National Chairman.
He said their conduct reflected a level of political maturity that deserved recognition and federal support.
He assured attendees that the grievances they had raised would be addressed, emphasising that the FG was closely monitoring the situation.
The Minister further pledged that his office would work to ensure fairness and stability for affected workers and vulnerable households.
He reaffirmed his commitment, as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to create an environment where citizens can work, earn a living, and live with dignity.
