Nigerian anti-gay pastor voted Britain’s most inspirational person

Mr Agu Irukwu

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian anti-gay pastor

Nigerian anti-gay pastor voted Britain’s most inspirational person

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian anti-gay pastor, Mr Agu Irukwu, has been voted Britain’s Most Inspirational Black Person, ahead of Obama and Mandela.

Irukwu, a former investment banker and a senior Pastor of Jesus House (a Pentecostal church) in London since 1994, had been under a series of attack from gay rights campaigners for his outspoken views on homosexuality.

Similarly, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has threatened to cut aid to African countries that do not respect gay rights.

The Competition

Irukwu won 54 percent of votes in a competition organised by the Mayor of London, Mr Boris Johnson and Metro Report, a local newspaper.

He was picked from a shortlist that also included United States president, Barack Obama; former South African President, Nelson Mandela and late U.S. human rights activist, Martin Luther King.

Other Nigerians also shortlisted were Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; UK-based Nigerian news broadcaster; Ronke Phillips and writer/radio presenter Dotun Adebayo.

Irukwu, in his reaction, said it was humbling to be voted as the most inspiring person.

NP/Adekusibe/Ekata