Veteran actor Patrick Doyle has voiced his disapproval of the recent gifting of two Rolls Royce Cullinan to Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church, during his 70th birthday celebration.
Doyle condemned the lavish display of wealth, highlighting its insensitivity at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities.
Speaking on his social media platform, Doyle expressed that the funds used to purchase the luxury vehicles could have been better spent on projects that benefit the public, such as constructing socially relevant infrastructure or setting up scholarships.
He warned that such ostentatious displays of wealth, particularly by prominent figures, risk sparking the long-anticipated revolution driven by the growing dissatisfaction among the masses.
“In these austere times, we must all be mindful of how we celebrate milestones for ourselves or others we admire,” Doyle wrote. “This is not the time to flaunt luxury in the faces of hungry and despondent Nigerians.”
Doyle recounted a friend’s decision to temporarily forgo driving his Rolls Royce, opting instead for a more modest Ford Escape as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the harsh economic realities. He lamented that not many within the elite class are following suit, and he criticized the Rolls Royce gift as an example of tone-deafness.
He further reflected on the tradition of congregations gifting cars to pastors, noting that such practices were rooted in a time when religious leaders lacked the resources to afford such luxuries. Doyle argued that Bishop Oyedepo, who already owns a fleet of luxury vehicles and private jets, is not in need of additional extravagant gifts. Instead, a more meaningful birthday gesture could have been the creation of vocational training centers or other initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty.
“The public already perceives him as being out of touch with the struggles of everyday Nigerians,” Doyle continued. “A socially conscious gift could have softened that impression.”
Doyle concluded his statement by reiterating his deep respect for Bishop Oyedepo but urged for more sensitive actions, especially in the face of Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
