Church of Nigeria:

CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR NEW MISSIONARY DIOCESE

CONN/160307

'Tunde Popoola, Abuja

Rt. Rev. Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Nigeria’s first indigenous Bishop was born in Osoogun in Oyo State. This village lies in an agrarian community north of Oyo State. With Iseyin as the major town, the entire community is seemingly forgotten by whatever development has transformed Nigeria since the demise of the visionary leader who concentrated his efforts on spreading Christianity to other parts of the country and translated the Holy Bible into different Nigerian languages. Far from any major highway, the community has been conveniently ignored by succeeding governments and the inhabitants have resigned to their farms using traditional implements like cutlasses and hoes. Producing little crops, they do not attract enough traders or government attention thereby contributing more to their neglect. Efforts by the church has been limited as the lure of large commercial centers has contributed to deplete the population and lack of funds for adequate welfare and manpower development see many inhabitants are embracing Islam and various traditional faiths. Church buildings in many villages are now dilapidated. Pastors, where available are poorly and irregularly paid.

Bukuru, on the outskirts of Jos in the Central Nigerian State of Plateau has a different story. Located on the beautiful Plateau with impressive natural scenery, it has recently been flooded by settlers from the crowded and volatile city of Jos and its environs. Bukuru and its surrounding areas are sites for many Federal establishments like the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, and the prestigious National Institute for Strategic Planning at Kuru. Also in town is the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), the first and most visible Theological School North of the River Niger. Such institutions regularly attract people from all over Nigeria and churches of different denominations are not in short supply, However, the original inhabitants seem to have been left out. Mr. Titus Barko travels some 20 km to Vom to attend service and when unable to go by car wishes there would one day be a church nearby where he and his family could walk to. The fact that some of the indigenes feel invaded by foreigners and tensions in the recent past has not been very helpful to the cause of Christ's kingdom.

The Anglican Church has therefore been visibly absent in many villages with an apparent field of unbelievers ripe for harvest. The bishop supervising the whole of Plateau State, The Rt. Rev'd B. A. Kwashi has his hands so full while at the same time living under serious threat to his life. This situation calls for assistance in the kingdom work in that area.

Akoko_Edo is a sprawling community on the northern fringes of Nigeria's cash cow and the oil producing South South. It benefited from the early mass education policies of mid-western Nigeria. The literacy rate is high, but the lack of industries cause many youths to leave the area in search of blue and white collar employment in big cities. With no banks, radio signal, and only about 5 Hours television broadcast reception per day. Attracting the youths back is a Herculean task. Many get lost in the cities, and under economic hardship, it becomes difficult to maintain the Christian faith and so, baptized Anglicans end up in unpleasant situations.

With over 50 Anglican churches in about 30 villages, maintaining quality & dedicated ministers to teach and properly ground the people in the faith had been a problem. Coupled with this and equally worrisome is the strong hold of traditional worship which leads to syncretism by many church goers. This tradition viewed by the civil authority as culture that should be encouraged, has many unpleasant practices that go along with the festival in the dark. Only very few Christians dare to oppose the practice. The Supervising Bishop lives miles away and can only afford to visit and encourage the believers in this area once or a few times in a year.

Ngbo in Ebonyi State South East Nigeria has location situations similar to that of Osoogun in Oyo State. Bypassed by major highways, the communities seem neglected and forgotten. Though with some Christian denominations, it is the gateway for Islam unto the Igbo nation of South East Nigeria. Since embracing Christianity in the early 19th century, the Igbo had been traditionally assumed to be Christians with most Igbo names reflecting belief in the Almighty God. Massive investment from the usual sources has recently funded Islamic facilities offering services which both the Government and Christian institutions could not provide in these area. These seem to be changing the minds of the people about who this Almighty God is. The Anglican Church having long assumed that other denominations are active in the area is suddenly alive with guilt and a burden to strengthen that which remains, open-up the fallow ground and provide laborers for the vast field left unharvested.

Bishops-elect and wives in group photograph with retreat leaders; Abp. and Mrs Akinfenwa and Bp. Yisa on Feb. 27 at the start of the pre-consecration retreat.

For these four and similar situations, the Church of Nigeria prompted by the Holy Spirit and led by the untiring and visionary Archbishop Peter J. Akinola decided to create missionary dioceses which will be supported for a while by voluntary sponsors in order to break ground and set about solving the problems hindering the progress of the gospel in the various communities. While some may not share his vision of seeing an Anglican Church in every Nigerian village or hamlet, there is a common determination to preach and if possible see all Nigerians live for Jesus the Christ.

“We need communication facilities says Ven. Jolly Oyekpen, Bishop-elect of Akoko-Edo Missionary Diocese. “Faith comes by hearing ……the word of God and we need media through which we can regularly encourage the people”. He is immediately looking for ways of setting up or attracting a radio broadcasting station. He has also secured a promise of four used computers from a parishioner abroad to start a computer literacy class. “The task is enormous, but people are more willing to assist a bishop than a priest whose transfer could mean the end of a vision. We pray to be able to attract banks and other necessary institutions to this area. We will work with the Local Government to make this place attractive and conducive to live in. Our goal is to preach Christ and continually see Him in the life of the people”

Ven. Olukemi Oduntan (Ajayi Crowther Diocese) has similar goals, but a major concern is getting funds to purchase land and agricultural machineries for the people. “For the church to grow in the area, we must be relevant to the livelihood of the people”. While thankful to God and the Government for new road projects linking the community to commercial centres, he believes production should be mechanized to improve the living condition and make the area self sustaining after a few years. There is also a great need for evangelists and missionaries of different expertise and callings that may wish to partner with the new diocese in areas of medicine, agriculture, and veterinary services, etc.

Ven. Dr. Christian I. Ebisike ( Ngbo Diocese ) knows a lot of teaching is necessary. “We must be ready and willing to go and establish churches in new territories. Welfare services are now compulsory and my experience as Director of Social Welfare for the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is an asset. Funding is the main hindering factor; we need serious injection of local and International fund to establish facilities that will go a long way in telling the people Jesus cares”.

The 19 new missionary bishops will be consecrated Sunday March 4, along with Ven. Oluranti Odubogun who goes to fill the vacant See of Ife. Inauguration of the various dioceses starts on March 6^th culminating with the presentation of the new Archbishop of Niger Delta on March 20 in Aba.

(Church of Nigeria News)