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Cornelius Adam Igbudu

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Cornelius Adam Igbudu

Cornelius Adam Igbudu (1914-1981) was a Nigerian religious figure known for founding the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S), an evangelical group in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.[1] He was credited with healing ability.[2][3]

In 1992, Professor Michael Y. Nabofa wrote a book about his life titled: "Adam: The Evangelist".[4] In May 1998, Professor Sam U. Erivwo wrote that Cornelius Adam Igbudu was held "in very high regard" by Bishop Agori Iwe, his contemporary.[5]

Legacy

Today, the origin of several existing Nigerian independent churches, such as God's Grace Ministry led by D. D. Mimeyeraye (now known as D. D. MiyeriJesu) and New Glory Revival Ministry led by S. U. Ayanyen, has been traced back to the evangelistic ministry of Cornelius Adam Igbudu in the Nigerian Anglican Church.[6] In recognition of his evangelistic achievements in the Nigerian Anglican Church, Cornelius Adam Igbudu was promoted to the status of a saint and a church was named after him (St. Adam's Anglican Church at Oghio in the Olomu area of Delta State). A secondary school in Araya (Adam Igbudu Memorial Secondary School)[7] was named after him, including a bible school in Emevor (Adam Igbudu Christian Institute).[8]

The Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S) has not gone defunct along with Cornelius Adam Igbudu in 1981. In fact, it has gained momentum over the years and, according to Professor Sam U. Erivwo, through this movement the Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri witnessed (and is still witnessing) phenomenal revival.[9]

According to Professor Amos Utuama, the Isoko nation has long been evangelized, noting that as far back as 1950, they had a great Evangelist in the person of late Cornelius Adam Igbudu.[10] He was said to have "visited church after church winning converts and strengthening believers".[11] He was also said to have had a disagreement with a prominent Nigerian Isoko cleric, Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena, whom he accused of "disturbing his ministry" in the Nigerian Anglican Church.[12]

He was also said to have "left unbeatable legacies in the Christian race in Isoko".[13]


On 30 October 2023, Cornelius Adam Igbudu's contribution to the spread of Christianity in Nigeria was once again recognized and he was also described as one of "Isoko's greatest evangelists".[14]

Professor Peter Palmer Ekeh, Founder of Urhobo Historical Society, later wrote in his book: History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta, that "The evangelical movement of Adam's Anglican Preaching Society (A.A.P.S.), which he founded, bestrode the Anglican Communion in the Former Bendel State. It created waves of mass conversions".[15]

His enduring legacy continues to be seen today in the proliferation of several existing Nigerian independent churches, notably God's Grace Ministry led by D. D. Mimeyeraye (now known as D. D. MiyeriJesu).[16] He was widely eulogised for "his immense contributions to the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria",[16] with tributes describing him as "a reputable evangelistic catalyst for gospel propagation and church growth".[17]

I would like to opine that the late Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu was indeed a reputable evangelistic catalyst for gospel propagation and church growth. Words are inadequate to describe his immense contributions to the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria, which has not gone unnoticed. - Isaiah Egedegbe[16][17]

Other source in Nigerian media equally considered his evangelical group of A.A.P.S. in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, as being "famous for the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria".[18]

His impact continues to be seen today as having gone beyond religiosity of the African indigenous peoples, as Igbudu's name was also mentioned in 2022 among those "who could be regarded as pioneers" of indigenous African music.[19] However, other notable people of Isoko and Urhobo extractions, who seemed "to have followed after the steps of the pioneers", later included Evi Edna Ogholi and Kefee Obareki Don Momoh.[19]

At that time when the style of worship and the mode of music in the mission churches were predominantly influenced by western civilization, which left many Africans with the feeling of spiritual alienation, Cornelius Adam Igbudu came into the scene and caused a change of practice by introducing indigenous Isoko music to the mission churches.[20] It earned Igbudu a commendation from E. Onosemuode, who called him "a great musical reformer among Isoko and Urhobo Christians".[20]

History has it that Cornelius Adam Igbudu was born in 1914 in a rustic village of Araya to Isoko pagan parents who then practised African indigenous religion,[20] and prior to his conversion to Christianity in 1927,[19] he was part of a traditional dance group in Uzere in Isokoland.[21]

Shortly after Igbudu left the dance group, in 1938 he founded a prayer group locally called "Ole-Orufuo" (meaning, "prayer group for cleanliness and purity"), which was later integrated into the Nigerian Anglican Church and formally became known as the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S).[21] His evangelical group of A.A.P.S. in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, over the years has significantly promoted evangelical Anglicanism and has also become famous for the composition of Isoko evangelistic songs locally called "Kirimomo" - a word now associated with both Isoko and Urhobo gospel music.[21] With the advent of Christianity in Nigeria, Igbudu came to Africanize Anglicanism in Nigeria as well as revolutionize both Isoko and Urhobo gospel music and made the physiognomy of practical Christian expression of African spirituality real to many Africans, notably the Isoko people and the Urhobo people in the present-day Delta State of Nigeria.[21]

Influence on the clergy

Cornelius Adam Igbudu still wields enormous religious influence today in the Isoko region and other parts of the country, as his life continues to inspire "many clergy and church workers who moved out of the church and became great evangelists for Christ".[21] It is probably due to his great influence that the religious sky in the Niger Delta now appears to be strewn with a constellation of Nigerian Christian stars, who have drawn inspiration from the works of Igbudu.


One of such notable religious figures is the founder of God's Grace Ministry now known as Bishop D. D. MiyeriJesu,[16][17] who claimed that he was called by God in 1984 following an evangelistic crusade held by A.A.P.S. in Ofagbe in Isokoland.[22] Miyerijesu has been credited with pioneering Anglican Mimeyeraye Preaching Society in the Nigerian Anglican Church,[21] before "he broke lose from the Anglican fold" in order to establish a church of his own in Warri.[23] Following several animosities and persecutions from avowed individuals to hinder his Anglican Mimeyeraye Preaching Society in the Nigerian Anglican Church coupled with the religious crisis that shook the church at that time, Miyerijesu by divine leading established G.G.M. on 5 November 1993, having been called by God "for no other purpose than to prepare people and make them candidates of Heaven".[24]

Another notable religious figure to whom Igbudu's life was a source of influence is Evangelist S. U. Ayanyen, who later also parted ways with the Nigerian Anglican Church in order to start his independent church called New Glory Revival Ministry.[25]

Several Nigerian Archbishops have been significantly influenced by Igbudu's life, including Cyril Odutemu whose miraculous birth on 2 May 1972 was made possible by divine intervention during an evangelistic crusade held by Igbudu.[26]

Also, Dr. God-Dowell O. Avwomakpa of Christ's Missionaries Crusaders Church, claimed that Igbudu handed him a cross in a vision he saw in early 1968, shortly after God called him from the Nigerian military to the Christian ministry and he became part of the A.A.P.S.[27]

Implications of his evangelism

The consequent impact of western civilization and the spread of Christianity in Nigeria especially by Igbudu's evangelism seemed to have led to a decline in the practice of several traditional African religions, as many Urhobo people as well as Isoko people have now become Christians and have nothing to do with idol worship.[28]

During his lifetime, Igbudu mostly preached about repentance or renunciation of idolatry and, today, others have followed suit; with Professor Tanure Ojaide in his 2017 book titled: "Literature and Culture in Global Africa", accusing MiyeriJesu of "burning local traditional shrines and destroying not only the emblems of traditional spirituality but the art works in the forms of figures and sculptures".[29]

While proponents of western civilization and Christianity like Charles William Hendel viewed religious conversion as a dispeller of "idolatry which is the bane of our existence",[30] opponents like Tanure Ojaide saw it differently as the destruction of African cultures by the kingdom of God as well as the undermining of ancestral customs and indigenous practices, which adherents to Christianity may now consider as being pagan or superstitious.

Death and burial

Cornelius Adam Igbudu died on Thursday, March 12, 1981, and was laid to rest on Saturday, April 4, 1981, in his hometown of Araya in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria,[21] with a life-size statue inside his final resting place.

File:Adam Igbudu grave.jpg
Adam Igbudu's grave in Araya

Immortalization of Igbudu

Igbudu was immortalized when the Adam Igbudu Memorial Secondary School was named after him.

File:Adam Igbudu school.jpg
Adam Igbudu Memorial Secondary School

Also, Igbudu was immortalized in Emevor by having a university named after him. Adam Igbudu Christian Institute has now become a university that "was upgraded from being a training ground for Anglican catechists", and is affiliated with the University of Port Harcourt.[31]

The AICI was established and operated by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, "to enable each student to achieve their potentials within a learning environment that is safe, healthy, positive, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming".[32]

On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Adam Igbudu Christian Institute, Emevor and the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Christian Esezi Ide paid the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill a thank-you visit at the VC's office, especially in acknowledgement of "the wonderful relationship between the University and Adam Igbudu Christian Institute, Emevor".[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cornelius Adam Igbudu: Isoko's Greatest Evangelist". NewsNGR. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Igbudu, Cornelius Adam". DACB.org.
  3. ^ "History of the Founder". AAPS.org.ng. Archived from the original on 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. ^ Nabofa, Michael Y. (1992). Adam: The Evangelist. Daystar Press. ISBN 978-978-122-224-5.
  5. ^ Professor Sam U. Erivwo. "FOREWORD". Urhobo Historical Society.
  6. ^ Smit, Johannes; Kumar, Pratap (2018). Study of Religion in Southern Africa: Essays in Honour of G.C. Oosthuizen. BRILL. p. 108. ISBN 978-904-740-749-2.
  7. ^ "Foundation Brings Succour To Students In Isokoland, Donates 50,000 Notebooks". BigPen Nigeria. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  8. ^ Agamugoro, Peters (12 February 2022). "Adam Igbudu Christian Institute Graduates 26 Masters Degree Students!". Anglican Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  9. ^ Erivwo, Samuel U. (1979). The Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri: A History of Christianity in Nigeria. Daystar Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-978-122-139-2.
  10. ^ Ahon, Festus (22 January 2009). "Nigeria: We'll Uphold Sanctity of Christianity -Utuama". AllAfrica. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  11. ^ Onibere, S. G. A; Adogbo, Michael P. (2010). Selected Themes in The Study of Religions in Nigeria. African Books Collective. p. 72. ISBN 978-978-842-224-2.
  12. ^ Eyoboka, Sam; Abugoh, Gladys (1 December 2013). "Why I fought Idahosa, Anglicans - Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena". Vanguard News. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  13. ^ Odidi, Godday (1 July 2014). "We don't have influential Pastors and Musicians in Isoko-Pastor Odidi". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Cornelius Adam Igbudu: Isoko's Greatest Evangelist". NewsNGR. Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  15. ^ Ekeh, Peter Palmer (2007). History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta. Urhobo Historical Society. p. 220. ISBN 978-978-077-288-8.
  16. ^ a b c d Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". Nigerian Times. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  17. ^ a b c Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  18. ^ "Omoru passes on". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  19. ^ a b c Salawu, Abiodun; Fadipe, Israel A. (2022). Indigenous African Popular Music, Volume 1: Prophets and Philosophers. Springer Nature. p. 157. ISBN 978-303-097-884-6. ...the likes of Kafee Don-Momoh, Ekpekuro Omamesiri Jerry, Godwin Tom, Raphael Tedheke and others who are seen to have followed after the steps of the pioneers. Within the Isoko aegis were people like Adam Igbudu, Chief Oguse and Chief Power Asiafa the Ighogboja crony who could be regarded as pioneers. Later were the likes of Evi-Edna Ogholi, Emma Ofano, Israel Uyeh, Solomon Urete, Festus Ejete, Amos Ighaka and Lizzy Ofano.
  20. ^ a b c Smit, Johannes; Kumar, Pratap (2018). Study of Religion in Southern Africa: Essays in Honour of G.C. Oosthuizen. BRILL. p. 105. ISBN 978-904-740-749-2. The gospel music of Adam emerged out of this gloomy situation. The charismatic activities of Adam brought gospel music in Urhobo and Isoko to the foreground... Adam, through his gospel songs, made Isoko and Urhobo hinterland a strong Anglican base... This made E. Onosemuode refer to him as a great musical reformer among Isoko and Urhobo Christians.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "Igbudu, Cornelius Adam". DACB.org. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  22. ^ "Founders' Profile". BishopMiyerijesuWorldOutreach.org. Archived from the original on 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  23. ^ Egbejumi-David, Michael. "Jesus Holiness". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  24. ^ "ABOUT G.G.M". G.G.M Official Website. Archived from the original on 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  25. ^ Akadoro, Sam (29 May 2014). "Nigeria: Church Begins Crusade in Ekpan". AllAfrica. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  26. ^ Emuke, Eseoghene. "Odutemu: 10 Things You Should Know About New Archbishop Of Bendel Province". Niger Delta Today. Archived from the original on 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  27. ^ "BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MISSION". CMCC Warri. Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  28. ^ "HISTORY OF URHOBO PEOPLE". EdoWorld.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-06-16. However, the influence of western civilization and Christianity is fast becoming an acceptable religion in most Urhobo communities.
  29. ^ Tanure Ojaide (2017). Literature and Culture in Global Africa. Taylor & Francis. p. 47. ISBN 978-135-171-119-7.
  30. ^ Hendel, Charles William (1948). Civilization & Religion: An Argument about Values in Human Life. Rice Institute. p. 68.
  31. ^ Osuyi, Paul. "Eulogies as Delta community buries 115-year-old monarch". The Sun Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  32. ^ "About Us". AICI Official Website. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  33. ^ Agamugoro, Peters. "Bishop C. E. Ide Pays Courtesy Visit to University of Port Harcourt's Vice Chancellor". Anglican Diocese of Warri. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
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