Catholic priest Fada Oluoma has called on social media activist Verydarkman to publicly apologise to Apostle Arome Osayi over his recent criticism of the preacher.
In a statement addressing VDM, Oluoma said there was a difference between legitimate criticism and caricature, arguing that VDM crossed the line by mimicking Arome while criticising his comments about Nigeria’s role in Christian revival and technological development.
“There is a difference between caricature and criticism. The mimicking of Pastor Arome in that video where you criticized his claim that Nigerians are called to export revival while other countries can excel in technology is totally wrong.”
Oluoma acknowledged VDM’s advocacy for social justice, saying his efforts on behalf of people seeking justice had earned him respect among many Nigerians.
“Your effective campaign for social justice has distinguished you among Nigerian celebrities and influencers. That heroic act of getting justice for victims who ordinarily would have been shortchanged has endeared you to many of us.”
However, he said VDM could have criticised Arome’s position without resorting to mockery.
“However, your mimicry of Pastor Arome Osayi is way out of propriety. You could have made those criticisms without denting them with that act.”
Oluoma subsequently urged VDM to apologise publicly to Arome if he had not already done so, describing such an apology as the “noble and right thing to do.”
He also cited the biblical account of Archangel Michael’s confrontation with the devil, arguing that even when confronting someone considered wrong, insults and abusive language were inappropriate.
“No matter how wrong what a person says or said is, insults, caricature and any form of expletives against such person can never be right.”
While defending the principle of respectful criticism, Oluoma also disagreed with the idea that Nigeria’s purpose is limited to religious revival.
“By the way, excelling in only religion is not the calling of Nigeria or any country. We are called to serve God faithfully and to excel in everything else that makes a country prosperous.”
He added that Nigerians should not consider themselves inherently more spiritual than people from countries such as China, the United States and the United Arab Emirates simply because of their religious identity.
Oluoma concluded his message by thanking VDM for his attention and signing off: “Let me come and be going.”
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