By Akahi News

A Nigerian cleric, Apostle Emmanuel Okose, has stirred widespread debate following his strong remarks on the sensitive topic of adoption and the disclosure of a child’s adoptive status. In a recent social media post, the outspoken preacher described the act of informing adopted children about their origin as “stupid” and damaging to their psychological well-being.

In his viral post, Apostle Okose affirmed his support for adoption as a noble and life-changing act of love and compassion. However, he fiercely criticised parents who choose to tell their adopted children the truth about their origins, calling it a “foolish” and “mentally destructive” decision.

“Adopting a child is one of the best things that can happen to any woman or man,” the cleric began, “but one of the foolish things most people who adopt children do is that they end up telling the child that they were adopted. That is a very stupid thing to do.”

He argued that such disclosure often leads to emotional and psychological trauma for the child, claiming it undermines their confidence and can leave them feeling betrayed.

“Where were the parents of the child when you raised him or her? Where were they when you gave them shelter? There are certain kinds of information you are not supposed to give to your children. They love you, and you raised them out of love and care. It damages the mentality of the child. It breaks the capacity and confidence of the child. Not every child can take it.”

Apostle Okose further dismissed any moral or religious defence of full disclosure, stating:

“This has nothing to do with ‘Papa are you saying we should lie?’ Are you crazy? Shut the hell up. There are some certain things you don’t say.”

His post quickly generated mixed reactions online. While some netizens echoed his sentiments, agreeing that not all children are emotionally mature enough to handle the truth of their origins, others condemned his approach as harsh, insensitive, and lacking psychological nuance.

Critics pointed out that child psychologists and adoption experts globally recommend age-appropriate openness and honesty, as secrecy often breeds confusion and mistrust later in life. Many also stressed that children deserve to know their roots and that hiding such information may cause greater harm in adulthood.

A social media user reacted, saying: “The tone is wrong. Yes, disclosure should be handled with care and guided by professionals. But calling it ‘stupid’ ignores the long-term emotional and identity benefits that come with truth.”

Another commented: “He’s speaking from a place of passion, but unfortunately, he’s promoting secrecy over healthy communication. Children deserve honesty and love, not deception masked as protection.”

The cleric, known for his fiery rhetoric, has yet to issue any clarifications or apologise for his choice of words. Meanwhile, the conversation continues to divide opinions, raising important questions about how best to handle adoption disclosure in a society where cultural, emotional, and religious values often collide.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues surrounding adoption, parenting, and child welfare, this debate underscores the need for increased public awareness and professional support for adoptive families navigating these complex realities.

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