Umuahia. May 14, 2024
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on Wednesday declared open the 57th National Board Meeting of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) while promising his government’s support for the Bible project.
Otti, who is the host governor expressed delight for being invited to the meeting which held at the Federal Medical Centre Chapel in Umuahia, Abia.
The governor who was represented by his Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Apostle Kingsley Wiper, said that the government will be part of the project of the BSN.
He referenced the contribution of King James’ Bible translation and printing to Britain becoming a powerful country with very robust economy so made by the sale of the Bible.
The governor later declared the meeting open in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The General Secretary, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Pastor Samuel Sanusi said the first language Bible in Nigeria was Efik followed by Yoruba and then Igbo Bible.
He said the Igbo Bible version published in 1906 is still the one in circulation today while other languages have improved on their earliest translations.
He urged Igbo Christians to rise to the challenge and upgrade the earliest Igbo translation because of the dynamism of language to enable the younger generation read Igbo Bibles.
Sanusi challenged the Eastern Zone of the organization to raise money for the completion of a new Igbo translation with current Igbo language autography to enable its publication soonest.
Most Rev. Isaac Nwaobia, BSN Abia Area Chairman in his speech said that the zone had looked forward to this day to rekindle the work of the BSN in the Eastern Zone.
Nwaobia, who is the Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, regretted that Afikpo, the land of Dr Akanu Ibiam, who anchored the birth of BSN there is being taken over by the Islamic religion.
He said this backwardness caused by division among churches and selfishness among church pastors was not commendable.
“We ask everyone to partner with the BSN and be active to ensure the purpose of its establishment is achieved”, he said.
Nwaobia urged the principal officers, Board members and delegates to consider building a Bible House in the Eastern Zone as it had done in other zones.
He also asked them to give Igbo people a study Bible as it obtains in other languages, produce a new version of Igbo Bible and to give the zone an Evangelism bus.
He said this would encourage the work in the zone and give the people of the East a sense of belonging.
The President and Board Chairman of BSN, Bishop Olubunmi Banwo said the meeting is used for the encouragement of BSN members in host zones and to take stock of the organization’s Progress.
He regretted that the Eastern Zone had lagged behind for a long time in the work and wondered what was the problem.
He said that the organization hoped to see the Eastern Zone get back on its feet in the Bible work at the end of the meeting in Abia.
