Nigeria’s former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, has revealed how a moment of personal reflection during an official trip abroad led him to completely give up alcohol, despite earlier beliefs that moderate consumption did not conflict with his Christian faith.
Osinbajo, a professor of law and ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, shared the experience while speaking at a leadership summit in Maryland, United States, where he addressed issues of discipline, ethics and the demands of public office.
The former vice-president said he once justified drinking by referencing the biblical account of Jesus Christ turning water into wine, maintaining at the time that there was nothing inherently wrong with consuming alcohol.
“I was very convinced that I could drink alcohol. Jesus turned water into wine, so why not?” he said, adding that he occasionally took red wine and beer even after becoming “born again.”
Osinbajo disclosed that he had intended to continue drinking until a turning point occurred during a visit to Mogadishu, Somalia, where he had travelled on official duties and also led a Christian fellowship.
He recounted that after preaching at a Sunday service, he planned to buy alcohol and return to his room, but stopped at a restaurant within a United Nations compound where he met colleagues from different countries.
According to him, the atmosphere quickly changed upon his arrival, as the colleagues began to conceal their alcoholic drinks.
Curious, Osinbajo said he asked one of them—a Danish colleague—why they were hiding their drinks, only to be told, “You know you are the priest.”
The response, he said, triggered immediate introspection about his role as a Christian leader and the expectations that came with it.
“It occurred to me immediately that there was nowhere I could be drinking there. It became very clear to me that, without a doubt, God was saying to me that while all things may be lawful, not all things are expedient,” he said.
Osinbajo stated that from that moment, he made a firm decision to abstain from alcohol entirely.
“From that day, I have not touched alcohol,” he added.
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