(v) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND CHRISTIANITY

Chief Igbinedion addressed this topic on the occasion of the award to him of

the honorary degree of Doctor of Law by Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA on 6th of May 1989. He traced the history of Christianity in Nigeria and its contributions to the development of the country. He was glad to be associated with Oral Roberts University which he described as "one of the world's foremost universities moulding character and progress in academic study and religion." According to him:

"Today is a remarkable day in my life. It marks the practical continuation of my association with the renowned Oral Roberts University; an association which is a blessing of God Almighty. I want to express my appreciation to the President, Chairman and the Board of Regents for nominating me for this award of the honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws of this world-famous University. On this happy occasion, I have chosen to address myself to a topic relating to the development of Christianity in Nigeria in consideration of the fact that Oral Roberts University ranks as one of the world's foremost universities moulding character and progress in academic study and religion.

The topic; NIGERIA AND CHRISTIANITY is meant to acquaint you with the prospects of Christianity in Nigeria. It has often been assumed that Christianity has had no formidable place in Nigeria. This address is to correct this impression and to inform you that a good percentage of the population of Nigeria are Christians and that missionary activities in the country dated back to the 15th century. In 1485 a Portuguese explorer Avonso D'Avero called at the Benin Rivers and paid homage to the Oba (King) of Benin. This notable connection was followed by the visit of the first group of Portuguese Roman Catholic missionaries who set foot on Nigerian soil and established a school in the Palace of the Oba (the King) for the Christian education of the sons of the Oba and chiefs. The first church was built in Benin City at the spot known today as Aruosa. Thus, the Kingdom of Benin of which today, I am happily one of the prominent chiefs, embraced Christianity about the same time that Christianity got to the shores of the Americas.

But this early beginning of Christianity in Nigeria was disrupted by the slave trade which for three hundred years altered the spiritual life of the people.

However, the freedom which came after this period witnessed a rebirth of Christian activities in the country. Various missionary organizations including the Church Missionary Society, the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Sudan Interior Missions became involved in the spiritual upliftment of the country. Bishop Ajayi Crowther was posted to Nigeria by the Church Missionary Society, and a church built in Badagry in 1867. The missionaries started evangelical work in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abeokuta and Benin City. By the 20th century Nigeria had become a bee-hive of Christian activities with the establishment of several Christian denominations and educational institutions in the country. Of increasing importance amongst these denominations is the Church of God Mission International Incorporated founded by the most Reverend Archbishop Benson Idahosa, whose spiritual strength is growing daily in the country and whose worldwide Christian crusades have placed Nigeria on the map of world Christianity.

Over the years, Christianity has harvested many more Nigerian souls and has contributed greatly both to the moral rectitude of the population and the physical development of the country. Christian missionary schools and colleges have also assisted in no small way in the development of Nigerian manpower. Schools like the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, St. Andrews College and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, St. Patrick's Catholic College, Asaba and Methodist College, Uzuakoli, are glowing examples of missionary institutions that have contributed in various ways to the development of Nigeria's human resources. Missionary societies have also contributed and still contribute to the enhancement of social activities and health delivery system of Nigeria. The St. Philomena Catholic Maternity Hospital and the Anglican Maternity Home both in Benin City assist in health delivery while the Catholic Social Centre also in Benin City provides educational and recreational facilities for the population. There are the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, Jos providing specialist medical attention in the country. The Church of God Mission International has established the Word of Faith Secondary School, the Primary and Nursery Schools and the Faith Miracle Centre all in Benin City.

Christianity has also proved useful to Nigeria at moments of trial. During the Nigerian Civil War, Christian missions played a positive role not only by praying for peace, but also by working for it and providing valuable assistance to the victims of the conflict. A number of missionary establishments served as refugee centres essentially for women and children on both sides of the war. The point I am trying to make is that as in the United States, Christianity in Nigeria has made and is making positive contributions to the overall development of the country. Christianity has contributed to the spiritual and moral development of Nigerians and the enhancement of Nigeria's manpower resources and primary health care system.

A relatively new dimension has been added to the Nigerian Christian society. It is the establishment and development of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International which President Oral Roberts himself once predicted will grow into a worldwide organization. Today there are already several chapters of this organization in Nigeria with three in Benin City alone.

One interesting development in the Christian movement in Nigeria is the increasing tendency towards Nigerianization. All Christian missions have been adopting methods of worship related to the cultural background of the country. For example the Catholic Church has translated a number of its Christian liturgy from Latin to English and or local languages in order to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to all meaningfully. Moreover, traditional music and songs of praise are fast becoming an effective part of worship in most of our Christian churches. These have helped greatly in attracting more following to the Nigerian Christian fold. The Nigerianization of the Christian movement has also taken place in the management cadre of church personnel. While a number of Christian missions notably the Anglican, Baptist, Church of God Mission were more or less Nigerianized from the beginning, the Roman Catholic Mission until recently, maintained a very heavy presence of expatriate staff. Today however, in Owerri Diocese of the Roman Catholic Mission for instance, that Diocese has trained and ordained 1,865 Nigerian priests in the service of God. With the assistance of Christian missions overseas, more seminaries have been built for the training of Nigerian priests and pastors by the missions. Let me emphasize that this trend is a welcome development to the Christian faith, and reflects one fact, that Nigerians have come of age in the Christian committee of nations.

Perhaps at this point I need to state my humble contribution to the develop­ment of the Christian movement in Nigeria. At my hometown, Okada, I have built a 4,000 seat Baptist Church, the largest of its kind in West Africa. Thus, Okada, once populated by traditional African religionists is today a city bubbling with Christianity. I thank and praise God for giving me this opportunity.

Nigeria is on the path of development. Our former forests have turned to stretches of rail lines and motorways, our cities and towns the hub of universities, post-primary educational institutions, and places of worship to the glory of God. However, in our onward movement we are partners in progress, and we want to count on the support and charity of all our friends. Nigerians look forward to the day when this great university will extend its facilities and medical services to our country."

Chief Igbinedion's personal contribution to the development of Christianity in Nigeria through his building of the 4,000 seat Baptist Church at Okada, is a reflection of his strong belief in the Christian doctrine. As a man of many parts; an industrialist, businessman, philanthropist and humanist, Chief Igbinedion's embracing of the Christian faith makes him a very complete man; with great powers of conception.

(i) IGBINEION ON THE CONCEPT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

(ii) IGBINEDION ON CHIEFTAINCY TITLE AND NATIONAL UNITY

(iii) IGBINEDION - OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

(iv) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND THE DIASPORA

(v) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND CHRISTIANITY

(vi) IGBINEDION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

(vii) IGBINEDION ON LIVING TO WIN IN LIFE AND BUSINESS

CONCLUSION

This website has attempted to unfold Chief Osawaru Igbinedion from the cradle to manhood and from a humble beginning to a position of enermous affluence...READ ON