The Church of Jesus Christ in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Honors Local Pioneers at Church History Fair

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On December 16, 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented a Church History Fair at the Obi-Wali International Conference Center in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

More than 3,000 people attended the event, which highlighted the history of the Church in Nigeria and honored the individuals who were pioneers in the growth of the Church in the Port Harcourt area.

Church members, families and friends were joined at the fair by government dignitaries, traditional rulers and interfaith leaders. Prior to the start of the program, the attendees toured various exhibition booths, which showcased the rich history of the Church in Port Harcourt. They featured the missionary department, children and youth development programs, Relief Society, elders quorum, seminaries and institutes, BYU–Pathway, family history, temple work and contemporary Church history in Nigeria.

Presiding at the program was Elder Enefiok Ntem, an Area Seventy of the Church and chairman of the Port Harcourt Nigeria coordinating council. Brother Ukeh Anderson was chairman of the planning committee and welcomed all to the fair.

The program chronicled the inception, growth and milestones of the Church in this part of West Africa. Those most influential in the development of the Church were identified and appreciated for their role in planting the gospel seeds in Port Harcourt. Brother Anderson presented the pioneers of Port Harcourt, and a special rendition of the hymn “They the Builders of the Nation” was sung by a multi-stake choir.

Brother Ephraim Sober Etete, the first stake president in Port Harcourt, spoke on behalf of the pioneers.

The first branch of the Church was established in Port Harcourt in 1980, with David W. Eka as president. The first stake was established in 1990, with Ephraim Sobere Etete as president, while the Church was situated at St. John’s College. In 1998, Gordon B. Hinckley became the first Church president to visit Nigeria, presiding at a large meeting in Port Harcourt.

Elder Ugwu Chukwuemeka Ihesiene and Sister Ihesiene, Africa West Area Church History missionaries, explained that Church History collects, preserves and shares stories of the hand of the Lord upon His people, in addition to collecting local stories, artifacts, digitizing personal journals and identifying and maintaining historic sites.

“For us to escape the course of ingratitude, we are all required to participate in Church history as we record the Lord’s dealings with His people at personal and Church unit level,” said Elder Ihesiene.

During the event, youth of Port Harcourt presented a drama on the first vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and young adults and the Relief Society presented a cultural dance. A major highlight of the program was musical numbers by the Primary and multi-stake adult choir.

A goodwill message was delivered by Dr. Chief Boma Spero-Jack, technical advisor to the Governor of Bayelsa State, and in whose house the very first sacrament meeting in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, was held. He commended the Church for organizing such an uplifting program in honor of its pioneers.

His Royal Highness, Eze Ikeagwu A. Akokwu, the Eze Ahiatu II of Egi Kingdom, Rivers State, said, “The next time I visit this Church, I will come with more people. This is a great and uplifting event.”

Other luminaries that attended the fair include: Mr Jonathan Amadi, acting permanent secretary Ministry of Housing Rivers State; Chief Emenike Miller Amaechi, Paramount Ruler; Chief Ibomoh S Opukama; High Chief Stephen Ebi-Johnson, the Berebofa I of Opoama kingdom; Chief Chinedu Okafor, the Ebubedike 1 of Ekwulobia Aguata LGA Anambra State; Obong Etiufan; Chief Christian Wonodi Ajoku JP; Eze Dr. Collins Wagbara, Nyewe, Ali of Rumuolumeni in Akpor Kingdom; Eze Chukwuemeka Elvis; Nmeham-Woji Nyewe; Ali Rumuolumeni, and Sister Joan Enefiok Etem.

In his closing remarks, Elder Ntem expressed the love of the leaders and their joy at the program held. He explained the intense effort by the Church of nurturing souls, especially the Primary with the rising generation.