A self-acclaimed pastor, Prophet Apata Enoch, has stirred heated reactions on social media after declaring that people should not marry an “ugly person” while proudly showing off his wife ahead of her 50th birthday.
The cleric, who regularly preaches to a congregation though he did not disclose his church affiliation in the viral post, shared photos of himself and his wife on Facebook on Monday, praising her beauty as she prepares to celebrate her golden jubilee.
He wrote, “5th of August, this my baby will be 50 years on earth, many years, my sweetheart.
“I’m 54, my sweetheart 50. Don’t marry an ugly person because of old age. Open your heart and eyes.”
The pastor went further to reveal that he had once planned to marry another woman but claimed God warned him against it.
He added, “The woman I wanted to marry before, God told me I wouldn’t like her in her old age.
“Today, she looks like someone I can’t take pictures with. I bless God. I hear from this merciful God who knows I like a fine and beautiful wife.”
The controversial remarks quickly ignited a storm of reactions online, with many describing the comments as insensitive and demeaning, while a few defended his opinion.
Reacting to the post, Facebook user Dotun Jegede condemned the pastor’s remarks, saying, “Too often, some men of God make emotional posts that create further controversy and bring reproach to the Cross and to the Creator. Every woman is created in divine beauty. A post that mocks or reduces a woman is an insult to our Creator, who made all humans — men and women — beautifully. No woman is ‘ugly’ when she is properly cared for and valued.
“Secondly, is physical beauty the measure of beauty? I used to believe, as Scripture teaches in Proverbs, that virtue and inner qualities are what truly matter. Outward beauty is not bad in itself, but it should not be the standard by which we judge worth. Finally, what about women who had injuries and lost their physical beauty? What about women who had cancer and had to have their breasts removed to survive? Should they be discarded and rejected?
“Let us weigh our posts. Let them reflect a balanced Gospel. Remove self-promotion and let Christ alone be reflected and projected. Let us share an inclusive Gospel that cares for all humans: the able-bodied, the blind, those with physical challenges, those with speech impediments, the deaf and dumb, the sick and the healthy, those with disfigured bodies, and those who have had surgery. The post violated diversity and inclusion. It was gender-based and discriminatory. For the sake of reference, respect for women, and respect for those with disabilities and different circumstances, this post should be pulled down. Who you say is ugly is beautiful to another. Let us focus on the mission of the Gospel and not self Gospel of ideology.”
Another Facebook user, Uche Nwafor, mocked the pastor’s statement, writing, “Seeing this one, I can only imagine what the one he wanted to marry would look like.”
Sharing a more balanced view, Grace simply wrote, “All I have to say is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”
The viral post has continued to fuel intense debate, with many arguing that true beauty goes beyond physical appearance, while others insist everyone has the right to personal preference when choosing a life partner.
