The Seventh-day Adventist church marks its 100 years in Nigeria. Missionary David C. Babcock first established its presence in 1914 after coming from missions in Sierra Leone, it was recorded that he learnt the Yoruba language in less than 5 months!
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a major Christian denomination with a significant presence in Nigeria.
Babcock University in Ilishan Remo, Ogun state, the Church's premier educational institution in Nigeria was named after him. He pioneered the work of the Adventist Church in Nigeria beginning in 1914. He was based in Erunmu in Oyo State, Nigeria.
The 100 years celebration of the Adventist church in Nigeria coincides with centenary celebration of amalgamation of Nigeria's Northern and Southern protectorates by |Sir Lord Lugard in 1914.
In 2011, the church made an appeal to the federal government to shift the election days from Saturday so that members could vote. Pastor (Dr) Bassey E Udoh, the President, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Eastern Nigerian Union Mission, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
“Saturday is the day of our worship and more than five million members of the church will worship in 3,500 branches in the country every Saturday, including the days of the elections.’’ “We worship on Saturdays, not for personal reasons but Biblical, which are founded in the scriptures and dates back to creation. “We believe that Sabbath is a Holy Day and should not be used for any personal, civil or public business.
The church has contributed to the growth of the nation especially in the educational and medical fields. It also shares the truth of the gospel to countless number of people through rural and urban evangelism.
Adventists are very loving people who care for the environment, promote healthy practices and help those in need. They hold on to scripture as the only basis of truth. Although they are often misunderstood, their beliefs including the seventh-day Sabbath is founded on the bible alone.
The Adventist church has a worldwide membership of over 18 million in virtually every country on earth.
A famous seventh-day Adventist in Nigeria is Dr. Deji Adeleke, owner of Adeleke university and Pacific Energy.
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| Cutting the centenary cake |
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| Pst Ted Wilson at Babcock University for the centenary celebrations |
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| SDA World Church President Pst T.N Wilson |
Series of activities to mark the 100 years commemoration are ongoing. Some of these activities include visit of World Church President Pastor Ted Wilson and other world leaders alongside the Leaders in Nigeria to some State Governments which include Lagos state, Ogun state, Abia state, Rivers state, Plateau state etc and finally Aso Rock villa.
Members were seen in special uniforms designed to make the celebrations colourful
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