Nigeria, April 24 -- The founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has defended his controversial viral remarks that 'Jesus hated poverty and never visited any poor person during His lifetime.'

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ibiyeomie's remarks during one of his sermons sparked widespread criticism on social media and among religious communities.

However, in a viral video on Thursday, Mr Ibiyeomie responded to his critics, particularly Abel Damina, founder and president of Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI).

Mr Damina, in a sermon at his Port Harcourt-based church on Sunday, countered Mr Ibiyeomie's claim and maintained that Jesus had visited several poor people, contrary to Mr Ibiyeomie's claim. ...