Saint Gideon Meriodere Urhobo [1] (formerly known as Gregory Mogburuko Ukoli) was the founder of God's Kingdom Society (GKS). He served as its life president from its inception in 1934 till his passing in 1952. [2] [3] The God's Kingdom Society (GKS) spread from Warri in Delta State to many parts of Nigeria as a sabbatical movement with doctrine which resembles the Jehovah's Witnesses. It was involved in the struggle for the independence of Nigeria in the 1950s. [4] By the 1960s, it grew to over 2,000 members. [5] [6] Bro. Ebenezer T. Otomewo succeeded him as president in 1952 under whom the Church spread to most cities in Nigeria and London. Today, the church is presided since 1997 after the death of Otomewo.by Emmanuel Oseghale Aighalua, a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. God's Kingdom Mission split from God's Kingdom Society on January 5, 1991, through the efforts of Brother Benjamin O. Tietie, who served as the first Archminister of the Mission. [2] [7] Pastor David O. Amanoritsewo also broke away to form the Acceptable Christian Church, with similar doctrines as those of God's Kingdom Society (GKS). [8]
Gideon Urhobo was born in 1903 at Ogharegi, a small fishing port near the Ethiope River, to a Christian mother and a non-Christian father. [9] He hailed from Agbarha in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He received his initial education at the Government School in Warri, where he also worked as a teacher. In his early years, he converted to and adhered to strict Roman Catholicism, and was baptized but not confirmed. Later, after disagreeing with certain of the Roman Catholic Church's beliefs, he broke away from the religion. A few months later, in June 1930, he began working for the Post and Telegraph department as a third-class clerk and telegraphist. He saw a South African advertisement for Watchtower literature while at work. He got the literature and started reading it and his Bible together. In 1932, he met Mr. William Roland Brown in Benin. Mr. Brown was the Trinidadian representative of Watchtower in West Africa. Brown invited him to Lagos so he could buy books for twenty-five dollars on credit. After receiving the books, he sent them to his friends Macauley J. Orode and Gabriel Agbenoma so they could be distributed to the public. Urhobo resigned his position as a clerk in 1933 to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. [2] [9] He became a full time preacher for the Watchtower Society.
Gideon Urhobo was influenced by some of the doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but he began to create a unique conviction in his mission beginning from 1934. In his biography, he wrote:
after three and half years diligent and prayerful study of the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ revealed himself to me in a vision and commanded me to go and proclaim the good news of God's Kingdom (or Gospel of Peace) to all Nations as the only remedy for all human sufferings and woes; to expose all false doctrines which Satan had used to deceive the people and to keep them in ignorance of GOD’S ESTABLISHED KINGDOM or GOVERNMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE, and purpose of creation, and to pronounce God's written judgement against wickedness. [2]
With this mission in mind, he disagreed with William Roland Brown over the following teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses: The failed predictions, including the prediction that Armageddon would occur in 1936 or 1937; the Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine on Marriage; the belief that only 144,000 people will going to heaven; the Memorial celebration; the practice of preaching by women; the very name, "Jehovah's Witnesses"; and the assertion that the religious group had "no human leader" (when at that time Joseph Franklin Rutherford was its global president). [10]
Urhobo and some of his friends split from Watchtower in October 1934 to start his own Society in Lagos, called "the Lagos Division of Jehovah’s Witnesses". [11] From that point on, Urhobo started debating and criticizing Watchtower's beliefs. He also criticized the Muslim faith, [12] and mainline churches—particularly the Roman Catholic Church. he began to deliver a series of lectures entitled, "My Mission to the World", in different parts of Nigeria. [9] Urhobo later renamed his group the "Lagos Company of Christian People" in 1939 due to objections from Mr. W. R. Brown. Under Saint Urhobo's guidance, the Church expanded to Port Harcourt in 1940. Concerns from Port Harcourt members about the exclusive name led to a change to the "Nigerian Christian Society" in 1942. In 1943, members in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) pushed for inclusivity, prompting a renaming to GOD’S KINGDOM SOCIETY (GKS). Concurrently, Saint Urhobo adopted a new name, GIDEON MERIODERE URHOBO, in 1943, in homage to his great-great-grandfather, Urhobo. His movement, God's Kingdom Society grew into hundreds of members by the 1950s. [13] Saint Urhobo founded Church branches in Lagos (1934), Port Harcourt (1940), Warri, and Sapele (1942), followed by Onitsha (1946) and Aba (1948). [13]
GKS has grown to have followers in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, North America, Benin and England. [10]
Gideon Urhobo began to intervene in the political struggle for the independence of Nigeria when he aligned with and helped Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in the nationalist cause. Later, when the party's leadership asserted that Jehovah of the Bible had no part in Nigerian nationalism, he disagreed with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). They held that the sun was the god of Africa in an attempt to reject western religion as they fought to free themselves from western colonization. [9]
Other than the "weeping Jeremiahs," Dr. Azikiwe made no statements after Urhobo started attacking the N.C.N.C. in June 1951. Azikiwe had remained silent for two reasons. First of all, Urhobo was popular, and the N.C.N.C. opposing him as a group would only make him more so, particularly when it came to the question of God in Nigeria. Secondly, at every location where Urhobo preached against the N.C.N.C., there were additional elements that worked against his objectives. Urhobo began to support the Action Group, a rival party founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, up until the general elections of 1951–1952. [9]
Gideon Urhobo died on February 25, 1952, while a partial eclipse of the sun occurred. The Daily Times of Saturday, January, 1952 carried his advertisement on page five entitled: “My Mission to the World”. [2]
During the inter-ethnic crisis that shook Warri in 1998 and 2003, the God's Kingdom Society was instrumental in putting an end to the violence and brotherly war by issuing two distinct statements on Tuesday, November 17, 1998, and August 19, 2003. [14]
The majority of the Watchtower Society's liturgy and beliefs are observed by God's Kingdom Society, these include rejecting "speaking in tongues,"; defining the Holy Spirit as "the invisible, active force of God,"; believing that Jesus was born in October; avoiding interfaith relations; opposing racism, and only baptizing adults. [10] But God's Kingdom Society rejects the idea that Jehovah has selected 144,000 people to live and reign with him at the end of the world and many other differences as outlined above. [15] [10] The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the establishing of God's Kingdom on earth are highly valued concepts in God's Kingdom Society. The tale of G.K.S.'s battles with various movements and institutions is heavily influenced by both secular and religious factors. The Society holds that it has been tasked by God with exposing the "false" beliefs of other religious organizations and that it is in possession of the truth of God's word, which must be conveyed to all peoples. The G.K.S. is always prepared to combat atheism on behalf of God and its interpretation of Christianity. Because of this, the Society has occasionally engaged in polemics with politicians and their parties. [9] The religious group has been known to observe a week-long Feast of Tabernacles. [16] [17] [18] They do not celebrate Christmas. [19] [20]
Gideon Urhobo wrote and delivered a series of lectures entitled. "My Mission to the World". In 2004, a book entitled, "Gideon M. Urhobo and the God's Kingdom Society in Nigeria", was written by Professor Daniel I. Ilega of the University of Port Harcourt. [21]
Jehovah's Witnesses is a nontrinitarian, millenarian, restorationist Christian denomination. As of 2023, the group reported approximately 8.6 million members involved in evangelism, with around 20.5 million attending the annual Memorial of Christ's death. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and the establishment of God's kingdom over earth is the only solution to all of humanity's problems.
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; it is used and distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The New Testament portion was released first, in 1950, as The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, with the complete New World Translation of the Bible released in 1961.
Jehovah's Witnesses's practices are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), founder of the Bible Student movement, and of successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body. The group disseminates instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior through The Watchtower magazine and through other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.
Jehovah's Witnesses have been criticized by adherents of mainstream Christianity, members of the medical community, former Jehovah's Witnesses, and commentators with regard to their beliefs and practices. The Jehovah's Witness movement's leaders have been accused of practicing doctrinal inconsistencies and making doctrinal reversals, making failed predictions, mistranslating the Bible, harshly treating former Jehovah's Witnesses, and leading the Jehovah's Witness movement in an autocratic and coercive manner. Jehovah's Witnesses have also been criticized because they reject blood transfusions, even in life-threatening medical situations, and for failing to report cases of sexual abuse to the authorities. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by courts and religious scholars.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses distribute The Watchtower—Public Edition, along with its companion magazine, Awake!.
Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, PC, usually referred to Zik, was a Nigerian politician, statesman, and revolutionary leader who served as the 3rd governor-general of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the 1st president of Nigeria during the First Nigerian Republic (1963–1966). He is regarded as the "father of Nigerian nationalism", for driving force behind the nation's independence.
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces a significant amount of printed and electronic literature, primarily for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. Their best known publications are the magazines, The Watchtower and Awake!
The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) later changed to the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens, was a Nigerian nationalist political party from 1944 to 1966, during the period leading up to independence and immediately following independence.
The Bible Student movement is a Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement. It emerged in the United States from the teachings and ministry of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), also known as Pastor Russell, and his founding of the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881. Members of the movement have variously referred to themselves as Bible Students, International Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, or Independent Bible Students.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits Christians from accepting blood transfusions. Their literature states that, "'abstaining from ... blood' means not accepting blood transfusions and not donating or storing their own blood for transfusion." The belief is based on an interpretation of scripture that differs from other Christian denominations. It is one of the doctrines for which Jehovah's Witnesses are best known.
Jehovah's Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in the 1870s among followers of Christian restorationist minister Charles Taze Russell. Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. The group took on the name International Bible Students Association and by 1914 it was also active in Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries.
Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline as formal controls administered by congregation elders. Members who engage in conduct that is considered inappropriate may be counseled privately by elders, and congregational responsibilities may be withheld or restricted.
"Faithful and discreet slave" is the term used by Jehovah's Witnesses to describe the group's Governing Body in its role of directing doctrines and teachings. The group is described as a "class" of "anointed" Christians that operates under the direct control of Jesus Christ to exercise teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith.
The doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses have developed since publication of The Watchtower magazine began in 1879. Early doctrines were based on interpretations of the Bible by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society founder Charles Taze Russell, then added to, altered or discarded by his successors, Joseph Rutherford and Nathan Knorr. Since 1976, doctrinal changes have been made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body, whose decisions are described as "God's progressive revelations". These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower, and at conventions and congregation meetings. Most members of the denomination outside the Governing Body play no role in the development of doctrines and are expected to adhere to all those decided at the Warwick, NY headquarters. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to welcome doctrinal changes, regarding such "adjustments" as "new light" or "new understanding" from God and proving that they are on the "path of the righteous".
Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh was a Nigerian politician who was the finance minister of Nigeria from 1957 to 1966 during the administration of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
The Urhobos are people located in southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger Delta.
The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.
Thompson Adogbeji Salubi was a Nigerian diarist, historian and politician who was president of the Urhobo Progress Union for twenty years. Salubi wrote manuscripts about the history of Western Niger Delta and he is an important reference for the history of Urhobo people during the beginning of the colonial period. Some of his writings were edited by Peter Ekeh and published as the book T.E.A. Salubi: Witness to British Colonial Rule in Urhoboland and Nigeria by the Urhobo Historical Society in 2008.
Erejuwa II was a Nigerian traditional title holder and paramount leader of the Itsekiri who was Olu of Warri from 1951 to 1964 and from 1966 to 1986. He was the 18th Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title Ogiame Erejuwa II. He succeeded his father Ginuwa II as Olu. Ginuwa II was a great grandson of Olu Akengbuwa the last Olu who died in 1848, he was crowned in 1936 after an interregnum that lasted 88 years when Warri's political leadership was dominated by merchant princes.