History of the Diocese of Damaturu

INTRODUCING THE MISSIONARY DIOCESE OF DAMATURU.

 (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
 “Go ye into all the World and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15)                      

The creation and inauguration of the Anglican missionary diocese of Damaturu out of the Diocese of Maiduguri is a move to bring to the grassroots people of Yobe State the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Damaturu Missionary Diocese was inaugurated on the 8th of December 1996. Its pioneer Bishop, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yisa (now translated to Minna Diocese) made effort to put in place basic infrastructure for effective mission work. By 2005 the Diocese had built a Bishop’s court, a vicarage for the Cathedral Priest and expanded the Cathedral Church of All Saints’. The incumbent, the Rt. Rev. Abiodun Ogunyemi who took over the mantle of leadership on 30th October, 2005 has unfolded an elaborate evangelistic plan. On his first missionary outing with all the priests of the Diocese, two new congregations were planted in Gujba and Gulani Local Government Areas. Their success in the 12 days evangelical campaign is remarkable and a sign of hope for the future.

THE PEOPLE OF YOBE STATE (Territory of the Damaturu Diocese).

The State covers a total land area of 47,153 square kilometres with a population estimated at about 2million. The indigenous people are the Kanuri,Fulani,Kare-Kare,Bade,Manga,Ngizim,Bolewa,Hausa and migrants from southwest, southeast and Midwestern Nigeria. Dominant among the settlers are the Igbos and Yorubas. Over half of the Diocese is within the Sahel Savannah with characteristic desert formation of sand dunes. The climatic conditions are severe in the north and mild in the southern half of the Diocese

THE CONGREGATION

In all, Damaturu Diocese is  now made up of 30 churches, scattered across the Diocese. Their total population is below 500. Over ninety five percent of the congregation are of southern descent who have come to settle here for economic reason. The Igbo forms the largest group in the Diocese. Only a few indigenous people are in our congregation. They are in Challino, Gudi,Kukuwa Tasha , Kukuwa Gari, Bularafa, Bara, Machina, Afunuri, Gwiokura, Grigri, Yusufari, Futchimiram, Gumsa, Dawasa, Kukuri, Kayeri, Kandaha, Panpanmari Njamena and Dapchi.

FACTORS HINDERING EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY WORK IN THE DIOCESE.

(1)   Introduction of Shari ’ a Law in Yobe State .
On October 1st 2000 the Yobe State Government formally signed into law the controversial Islamic Law. While signing the bill, the Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim said:
“the Shari ’ a legal system has been introduced and formally launched in the State on 1st October,2000. Various Bills in respect of Shari ’ a implementation have been passed by the State House of Assembly and I have the pleasure to assent to these laws among which are the prohibition of unislamic practices.” (Source: Yobe State, a decade of existence. Published by Ja’afaru Nejo 2001 pp. 135-136).
Shari ’ a law hinders open evangelism among the people and empowers the Traditional Rulers to ruthlessly and decisively punish non-Muslims on the pretexts of alleged subversion.
(2)   Dearth of experienced and effective rural evangelists.
(3)   High cost of moving around the large area-47,158 square kilometres most of which is semi and sandy desert. The roads are very deplorable. Only a four wheeled vehicle can effectively go round.
(4)   Lack of adequate study of the lives and culture of rural dwellers.
(5)   Poor funding of the church. Funds are needed for mission. Indigenous communities live not only in fear of persecution by their Islamic leaders but also in tattered penury typified by high mortality rate and dwindling capacity for rural agricultural productivity. Drought and desertification often deprive these rural dwellers of their means of livelihood (livestock rearing and patched farming.) The inability of the church to economically empower these people poses a challenge to evangelism and missions.

OUR VISION.          

In his inaugural sermon on the 30th of October, 2005 the Diocesan, the Rt. Rev. Abiodun Ogunyemi stated four major areas of focus by the Diocese in the next 10 years namely:

(a)    A consistent and effective prayer life by all in the Diocese.
(b)   The evangelization of every village and town in Yobe State and followed by missions (i.e. provision of basic social amenities-pipe borne water, schools, clinic etc.)
(c)    Pragmatic youth ministry particularly among those below 40years old.
(d)   Investment in viable and profitable ventures like Conference/Retreat Centre, Agriculture, Cyber Café, Bookshop etc. We believe very strongly that these will provide the needed fund for our evangelistic thrust

 
OUR CHALLENGES AND PRAYERS.

In spite of the harsh weather, difficult and extensive landscape, there are 2,000,000 indigenous people who are in dire need of the gospel in Damaturu Diocese. Many of these people have never had the privilege of hearing of the wonderful grace, freedom and peace that comes through knowing Christ. Join us to pray that God will use us to:

-         Procure a means of moving around this vast territory e.g. a four wheel drive (jeep), rugged motor bikes, 18 seater bus etc.
-         procure equipments for rural evangelism e.g. Film Projector, Mobile Power Generators,
-         Procuring local building materials to construct places of worship.
-         Provision of fund to set up a Farm and Conference Centre.
-         Provision of fund to build a Diocesan Office and Chapel.
-         That the Yobe State Government will provide Land for the above projects.

We shall be sowing eternally as we jointly bear the yoke of taking the gospel to all parts of the Anglican Diocese of Damaturu-Nigeria.

Article written by the Diocesan Communicator, Mr Ovie Ekpewu.