In a heartfelt Facebook post, Rev. Fr. Prince Chidi Philip has shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding social media philanthropist, Okwuluora, who has faced criticism for filming his charitable acts. The priest’s reflection challenges the growing culture of cynicism toward public charity and questions why many are quick to condemn those who try to help others in visible ways.
Filming the Poor: Is Okwuluora Helping the Poor or Hustling?
Yesterday, I made a simple post asking people to pray for Okwuluora, for his health and quick recovery. Not long after, someone came to my inbox, expressing how much he “hates” the man.
His reason? "He’s doing fake charity. Always videoing everything he does.”
I must confess, that message got under my skin. Not because I’m an Okwuluora fan or follower, but because of what that kind of mindset says about us as a society.
I decided to check Okwuluora’s Facebook page. I wanted to see this “fake charity” everyone keeps talking about. And what did I find?
A man showing up for people the world had forgotten, paying medical bills, raising funds for the sick and poor, connecting givers and those in need.
Then I read through the comment sections. People were donating ₦500, ₦2,000, ₦10,000, small contributions that, when put together, become millions. Those funds are what he uses to pay hospital bills. That’s not “showing off”; that’s effective community mobilization.
And yes, he makes videos, because that’s how people know where their donations are going. That’s how more people get inspired to help.
If a man hides his good deeds, we call him stingy. If he shows his good deeds, we call him fake. So, what exactly do we want?
If you don’t like someone’s content, block them. Simple. Don’t go around people’s inboxes spreading hate and suspicion. That’s an evil spirit whispering through you.
What amazed me even more is that when I visited this man’s Facebook page, the one who called Okwuluora fake, it was filled with immoral videos, half-naked people dancing. So, he sees that as normal, but sees charity as hypocrisy. How twisted can our generation be?
Then, as expected, he quoted the famous verse: “Do your charity in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Yes, that’s true, but context matters. When Jesus said that, He was condemning showing off, not inspiring others. There is a big difference between boasting and bearing witness. Between self-promotion and inspiration.
If someone posts their charity to draw attention to themselves, that’s pride.
But if they post it to draw attention to the cause, to inspire, to mobilize, to raise awareness, that’s not hypocrisy, that’s evangelization.
We live in a digital age. The pulpit has gone beyond the church walls. Sometimes, the phone camera is the new microphone and a Facebook post can touch more hearts than a Sunday sermon.
After one of my own feeding outreaches, I posted a short video online. A few days later, a woman reached out to me. She said the video touched her heart. Today, every Sunday, she cooks lunch for an orphanage in her state and she has been doing it for five weeks now. All because of a single video. So, tell me again, what’s fake about that?
Social media is not evil. It is a tool. It can destroy or it can heal, depending on who holds it and what they use it for.
We should be careful not to let cynicism make us blind to goodness. Sometimes the people we call “fake” are simply doing publicly what we refuse to do privately.
It is easy to criticize from behind a keyboard. It is harder to step out, get your hands dirty, and help the suffering.
I’ll say this with all due respect, If you can post your new shoes, your party, your food, your selfies, you have no moral ground to condemn someone for posting their charity.
Because in the end, even if some people show off while doing good, at least someone somewhere still gets helped.
And I would rather see a world full of “fake charity” than a world full of real indifference.
So, if Okwuluora’s way of helping offends you, fine. But at least, before you judge, ask yourself, What have you done lately for someone who cannot repay you?
Written by — Rev. Fr. Prince Chidi Philip
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