Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Obi Cubana has announced his conversion to Christianity, stating he has given his life to Christ. The declaration, made in a video with Pastor Jerry Eze, has sparked widespread reactions online.

However, Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi, a storyteller, has shared his idea of why Cubana shouldn’t have given his life to Christ.

While sharing his idea, he wrote:

“Braving the risk of being misconstrued as heretical or a red herring, the caption that brought you here was not a mistake. The controversial framing serves a purpose that becomes discernible upon closer examination. You may think the headline is wrong because of the opposite phrasing you’ve heard all along. For ages, it has been the battle cry of morning-cry evangelists. Read on as this essay helps you unlearn and relearn. The trending conversation around a popular philanthropist provides an opportunity to interrogate what has become the standard call to repentance in Christianese.

While being chauffeur-driven with Pastor Jerry Eze, wealthy entertainer Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, made a video to announce his newfound faith. Identifying as a new creature, the socialite said, “I have given my life to Christ, and I’ll make sure I go to church every Sunday.” In the video, which instantly broke the internet, Pastor Jerry affirmed that he had led the celebrity investor to Christ, assuring viewers that the new convert would be discipled, grow in the knowledge of God, and do well in Jesus’ name.

The joy, like a river flooding the soul of a new convert, was so overwhelming for Cubana that he could not resist the urge to make the public announcement. Pastor Eze would later recount how his friend made the recording without prompting. If only Obi had also used the video to confess that Jesus Christ had become his Lord and personal Saviour, in keeping with Romans 10:10. Be that as it may, conspiracy theorists wasted no time alleging that the video was a strategic monetisation endeavour.

These cynics reasoned that the two prominent YouTubers were out to enrich themselves through earnings from the massive metrics and traffic the content was sure to generate. How harebrained, considering the financial fortunes controlled by these gentlemen! For one commenter, his doubt was predicated on Cubana’s countenance and smile in the video—the same effulgence that often follows the understanding that one’s odious past has passed away.

Prescient of those who would test or doubt his resolve, Obi issued this admonition: “All you naysayers and negative people, don’t bring bad vibes to me. Just believe Obi is a new creature. I’ll lead a lot of people to Christ. You know I have a big influence on youths…” Unfortunately, those for whom the warning was intended wasted no time in proving hard of hearing. As major blogs broke the story, second-guessers took to the comments to question how Cubana could suddenly become born again after receiving two traditional titles the previous day. Others challenged him to prove his new-creature status by quitting the liquor business and shutting down his nightclubs. Another dared Obi to sell off all his assets and distribute the proceeds to the poor before following Jesus, as was required of the rich man in the Gospel.

By pleading against becoming the butt of these tantrums, Obi must have anticipated them. He should therefore not be distracted or deterred by insinuations of bad faith. What does pose a challenge, however, is his mischaracterisation of the salvation experience. Even so, he is not alone in this. The question begging for an answer is whether there is any portion of Scripture where Jesus required sinners to surrender their lives to Him in order to be saved. Stay with me as we explore what Christ and the apostles actually required of the penitent and repentant.

Giving up something is never easy, particularly when what is to be sacrificed is precious or integral to one’s identity. Under pressure or provocation, the giver may become the retriever. Haven’t we seen estranged lovers demanding back what they once willingly gave when the relationship soured? Humans can be fickle and petty when push comes to shove. Perhaps this is why some people doubt that Cubana will remain steadfast. They foresee the allure of life compelling him to take back what he has yielded to Jesus. This is precisely why the scriptural means to salvation is receiving the life of Jesus, not giving your life to Him. This precept is clearly stated in John 1:12, Revelation 3:20, 1 John 5:11–12, and 2 Timothy 1:9–10.

In fact, the very definition of Christianity is the life of God manifested in human flesh. This is why, from the outset, the repentant should be led to believe that they are receiving the God-life, not surrendering their own life to Jesus. Consider insights from global icons who have found Christ. Two-time Grammy Award winner Justin Bieber was recently reported as saying, “Jesus Christ didn’t just change my life; He gave me one.” Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, famously stated, “Being a Christian means accepting Christ as your Saviour, your God. That’s why you are called ‘Christian’. If you remove Christ, there’s only ‘ian’, and that means ‘I am nothing’.” Tyson Fury, the heavyweight champion globally known as The Gypsy King, stunned mainstream media a fortnight ago when he declared that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

So why the fuss about Obi Cubana’s repentance, when the American rap icon Snoop Dogg repented from gangsterism and openly professed his faith in Christ? Despite losing 100,000 followers and facing deportation threats, Nicki Minaj has continued to stand firm for Jesus. And as veteran R&B singer Tyrese Gibson tweeted two days ago, “I believe in God the same way a blind man believes in the sun—not because he can see it, but because he can feel it.” The growing number of celebrities standing up for Jesus should no longer be shocking. It’s a movement!

…Look out for the concluding part in the coming days.“

VIS Ugochukwu, a sage, storyteller, and media trainer, is open to feedback via X: @sylvesugwuanyi