Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
May 1, 1969
NUMBER 1, PAGE 12b-13a

Preaching The Gospel In Nigeria

George Pennock

In Nigeria, folks who have obeyed the gospel are continually begging you to carry the good news to their home villages. Brother David Olugha, an Ilaje man who was converted in Abeokuta, frequently encouraged brother George Oginni to visit the Ilaje area. This he was finally able to do in August of this year and to his joy found the people very receptive to the truth. During September, brother D. O. Martins (who preaches for the Akinbode church in Lagos) travelled to the Ilaje area and building upon the foundation laid by brother Oginni, he enjoyed even greater success. For several reasons, brother Wayne Payne and I deemed it necessary to take stock of the situation. Accordingly, we left Ibadan Oct. 2nd on the first leg of what turned out to be a most encouraging and fruitful trip, finally returning home Oct. 14th.

The gospel was first preached in this area less than three months ago, already there are eight churches with a combined membership of about 150. The church at Odun Oyingbo (also the most remote village) is the largest with 41 members. It began only a month and a half ago, yet already these brethren have erected a good meeting house.

While many of the area people have received the truth enthusiastically, nowhere were we met with indifference. Even those who rejected the truth were far from indifferent about it. In two communities we were driven from denominational meeting houses, where we had made previous arrangements to preach. The yeast of the gospel is working well throughout the whole area and barring unforseen developments, the future of the Lord's church in the area looks particularly bright. We pray that it may be so and thank God for the progress already made. Between October 2nd and 15th, 40 obeyed the gospel.

But the promising condition of the work is not what makes it unique. Its uniqueness lies rather in its location. The Ilaje area is on the Atlantic coast just west of the mouth of the Benin River. It can be approached either from Okitipupa southwest of Ijebu-Ode here in the western region or from Sapele over in the mid-west. The distance from either point is about the same, but of course the trip from here to Sapele is much further than to Okitipupa, so we headed for Okitipupa. From there it was necessary to book passage on a motor launch, in order to cover the fifty miles to the edge of Ilaje area, near the village of Aiyetoro on the Atlantic — a trip that took eleven hours.

For a few miles after leaving Lkitipupa there is land on either side of the river but after the first few miles, the land disappears and there is nothing but swamp! Huge cypress trees still thrust themselves heavenward and the bush is thick and tangled, but there is no land — only water, water everywhere. Except for a strip of sand varying from ten to fifty yards in width along the Atlantic coast, we saw no land for ten days.

Upon reaching the edge of the Ilaje area near Aiyetoro, it was necessary to transfer to a pole canoe for the journey through the area. From Aiyetoro to the most remote village, Odun Oyingbo, is a distance of about twenty-five miles (this figure is only an estimate; while the fifty mile figure above is not). It was necessary to traverse the whole distance in a canoe operated by a man who balanced on the back seat and pushed with a long pole. On occasions when they feel that speed is imperative (as they felt was true in our case) a man also sits up front and paddles.

Since there is no dry land anywhere, the houses are all built on pilings driven into the muddy bottom. These people describe themselves as "living on water" and make a living by fishing in the Atlantic. Of course, this swampland is rather unhealthy, while the nearest doctor or hospital is in either Sapele or Okitipupa more than fifty miles away across the water. But the people are a vigorous and hardy breed.

Brother Wayne and I both managed to stay healthy while on the water, but some of the Nigerian brethren accompanying us were not so fortunate. For the first few days, brother E. O. Abimbola (preaches at Ikare) was troubled by malaria. Later in the trip, brother D. O. Martins came down with a severe internal disorder. In fact, the day we travelled from Odun Oyinbge to Aiyetoro (15 hours of burning tropical sun and drenching rain squalls) brother Martins lay much of the time in the bottom of the boat, a sick man. He snapped back however and the day after reaching his home in Lagos, a brother from the church in Bshogbo appeared at his house and two days later he was off to Oshogbo (150 miles from Lagos) to assist the brethren there. (I'm afraid that many in the U. S. have never learned to appreciate our Nigerian brethren, and the devotion and sacrificial spirit they so often display.)

The work in Ilaje has one urgent need. Before a brother can move into the area (and brother George Oginni has agreed to do so) he must have a canoe, for without it, it would be impossible to get about. Such a canoe with a canopy built over it to protect one from the sun will cost one-hundred dollars. In addition, due to the distance involved and the fact that none of the brethren journeying into the area (either white or black) have any skill at poling a canoe, it is essential to buy an outboard motor. Such a motor will cost 250 pounds ($700). In order to buy both, $800 is needed. Some of the churches whose members may read this, could give $800 and never miss it, but it would mean much to the work here. What about the church where you worship? If you can help, let me hear from you.

In my estimation, it would not be wise to buy a canoe and motor for a specific individual (e.g. brother Oginni), for there is no telling how long health and other factors will permit him to remain in the area. If it was his own, complications could arise when he left; so I propose to buy it myself and leave it there for the use of any or all of the brethren who find it necessary to go into the area. Help us meet this need. Remember us and the Nigerian work in your prayers.

— P.O. Box 4064, UCI Ibadan, Nigeria