A self-acclaimed pastor, Prophet Apata Enoch, has sparked reactions on social media after advising people not to marry an “ugly person” while showing off his wife.

Although he did not disclose his church affiliation in the post, checks by our correspondent showed that he regularly addresses a congregation and has repeatedly spoken about his church in previous social media posts.

In a Facebook post shared on Monday, Enoch celebrated his wife’s forthcoming 50th birthday while describing her as beautiful.

He wrote, “5th of August, this my baby will be 50 years on earth, many years, my sweetheart.

“I’m 54, my sweetheart 50. Don’t marry an ugly person because of old age. Open your heart and eyes.”

The pastor further claimed that he had once intended to marry another woman but was discouraged by what he described as divine guidance.

He added, “The woman I wanted to marry before, God told me I wouldn’t like her in her old age.

“Today, she looks like someone I can’t take pictures with. I bless God. I hear from this merciful God who knows I like a fine and beautiful wife.”

The post has since generated mixed reactions from Facebook users, with some agreeing with his comments while others criticised the remarks as insensitive and disparaging.

One user who identified as Dotun Jegede on Facebook wrote, “Too often, some men of God make emotional posts that create further controversy and bring reproach to the Cross and to the Creator. Every woman is created in divine beauty. A post that mocks or reduces a woman is an insult to our Creator, who made all humans — men and women — beautifully. No woman is ‘ugly’ when she is properly cared for and valued.

“Secondly, is physical beauty the measure of beauty? I used to believe, as Scripture teaches in Proverbs, that virtue and inner qualities are what truly matter. Outward beauty is not bad in itself, but it should not be the standard by which we judge worth. Finally, what about women who had injuries and lost their physical beauty? What about women who had cancer and had to have their breasts removed to survive? Should they be discarded and rejected?

“Let us weigh our posts. Let them reflect a balanced Gospel. Remove self-promotion and let Christ alone be reflected and projected. Let us share an inclusive Gospel that cares for all humans: the able-bodied, the blind, those with physical challenges, those with speech impediments, the deaf and dumb, the sick and the healthy, those with disfigured bodies, and those who have had surgery. The post violated diversity and inclusion. It was gender-based and discriminatory. For the sake of reference, respect for women, and respect for those with disabilities and different circumstances, this post should be pulled down. Who you say is ugly is beautiful to another. Let us focus on the mission of the Gospel and not self Gospel of ideology.”

Another user who identified as Uche Nwafor said, “Seeing this one, I can only imagine what the one he wanted to marry would look like.”

“All I have to say is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” one Grace opined.