Osinbajo Recounts Quitting Alcohol After Somalia Incident

Nigeria's former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recounted the personal experience that led him to abandon alcohol consumption during a speech at the Biazo Leadership and Empowerment Summit in Maryland, United States.

The 69-year-old professor of law and ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God described how he once enjoyed moderate drinking of red wine and beer, even after becoming a born-again Christian. Osinbajo said he justified it by citing the biblical miracle where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. "Jesus turned water into wine, so why not?" he recalled thinking, adding that he had decided to continue the habit despite his faith.

The turning point came years ago during his time working in the justice sector of a United Nations mission in Mogadishu, Somalia. On a Sunday after preaching at a Christian fellowship, where colleagues had informally appointed him as pastor, Osinbajo headed to a restaurant in the UN compound. He planned to buy two cans of Heineken beer to take back to his room while reading his Bible.

Upon entering the restaurant, he noticed international colleagues from various countries drinking beer and whiskey. They immediately hid their...