Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, yesterday, empowered pastors under his “Divine Mandate” campaign platform and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state with N500 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the divine mandate pastors received N250 million with each of the over 2, 500 members, receiving N1 million each, while the five blocs of CAN shared N250 million.

Umahi said during the disbursement that he decided to empower them in realisation that pastors and other members of the clergy were not exempted from the harsh challenges of life.

“One of the pastors sent me a text message that though they receive stipends to help in their monthly prayers, they were not commercial motorcycle riders otherwise called “Okada”.

“I told him that I didn’t know they get stipends and cautioned that he may be one of those who graduated from school, didn’t secure a job and believe that ‘pastoring’ was an easy way of life,” he said.

•Daily Trust report