Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has opened up on the moment that made him give up alcohol.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that in a viral video, the clergyman recounted how a simple encounter during his time working in Somalia changed his lifestyle. He explained that even as a pastor, he used to take red wine and beer occasionally.
The former vice president said the turning point happened while he was part of a United Nations mission in Mogadishu. On a Sunday after preaching, he decided to buy some beer and return to his room.
According to him, he entered a restaurant within the UN camp and met several colleagues from different countries who were already drinking. When they noticed his presence, they quickly tried to hide their drinks.
He said he then approached a colleague from Denmark to ask why he was hiding his drink. The colleague replied that they could not drink openly around him because they saw him as a priest.
The response made a deep impression on Osinbajo, as he began to reflect on his role and how others viewed him. He said the moment helped him understand that even though something may be allowed, it may not always be the right thing to do.
Since that encounter, he decided to stop drinking alcohol completely.
He said: “I like my red wine once in a while, and then I like my beer. On this particular Sunday, I was coming back from the Fellowship where I had preached, and I was just hoping to buy two canned Heineken and go to my room and read my Bible.
“There were many restaurants in the UN compound in Mogadishu. So, I went to this particular restaurant, and as I walked in, I saw many of my colleagues from different countries. They were drinking. You are the priest, and we can not be drinking around the priest. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.”