ABSTRACT
Since 1843, when Methodist church came to Nigeria from
England, it has spread to many areas of this country. It has created much
influence in many areas and the church has contributed immensely in shaping the
history of Nkanuland in a especially way. Understandably it has influenced
positively on the lives of people. Nkanuland was formerly replete with evil
practices and idolatrous traditions such as ritual killings, murder, idol
worship, killing of twins and molestation of innocent citizens. With the coming
of Christianity, a new history has emerged. However, that is not without the tireless
efforts of the missionaries who paid great prices to ensure that the dignity of
the Nkanu people was restored. Some of them were exposed to some terrible
unfavourable climate which was characterized with mosquito bite which resulted
in death. In spite of all these, they pressed forward to make an indelible mark
in the history of Nkanuland and left lasting legacies as they were instrumental
in stopping of killing of twins establishing of schools, hospital and above all
the gospel. The data collection for this work was through participatory
observations, books, journals and records in many churches.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.
Background to the Study
From creation
humanity has been an extension of God’s aims to reach out to the lost
generations and to shape up the spiritual, political and economic landscape of
any nation. A Nation’s existence can be meaningful only when God is involved
purposefully in the affairs and plans, organizations of human life. In spite of
the fact that Nkanu is a land endowed with varied and abundant human and
natural resources, it still suffers from economic, social and developmental
quagmire, imbued with the backward inclinations which have stalled its progress
for years.
This has also given
rise to undue suffering. Howbeit with the coming of Christianity things began
to change through the efforts of the missionaries. It made the people’s
existence meaningful and worthwhile. Rev. Brewer, was the first Methodist
missionary to arrive Agbani in Nkanu from Nara in the year 1910. He lived
between 1916 and 1925.
According to Chief
Nnamani Nwa- Ugboachi (personal communication 13/6/2010), one of the prominent
chiefs who served as a teacher and interpreter to the white-man, Agbani had
three warrant chiefs who were instrumental to the white man’s positive
reception. It was however, the warrant chief Nnaji Onakporoko who actually received the missionary first and helped
him to establish the first school and church at Akpoeke.
Due to the
hospitality of the Agbani people which was made possible by the then warrant
chief, the missionaries decided to settle there with their mission of
evangelizing the community area and its environs. They first established a
Methodist church directly opposite the railway line quite adjacent to the road
that presently leads to Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani’s residence from the rail line
which was equally used for the purpose of education.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
The values of the
Methodist missionary activities in Nkanuland were devoid of corruption, and
nepotism. The gospel was preached unadulterated. The missionaries rendered
selfless services in the course of discharging their responsibilities. They
maintained an unbroken focus as in those days they met from time to time to
discus the common goal. But today those values are no longer there; rather
egocentrism has taken over. Nkanu Christians now do not want to leave lasting
legacies. Rather they are keen on self-ego and personal aggrandizement rather
than towing the steps of the missionaries.
The researcher wants
to unearth the factors that have contributed to this breakdown in the values of
Nkanu people and why the standard of Christianity has depreciated and has
fallen short of expected standards. He attributed this
to modernization, effect of learning Globalization, and take over of school by
the government.
1.2 Purpose of the Study
The advent of the
missionaries was a watershed in the history of Nkanuland in view of the
deplorable circumstances in which the Nkanu people were submerged in.
Therefore, this study
is aimed at exploring the activities of the missionaries who brought the good
news to Nkanuland through the instrumentality of Methodist Church.. It also
aims at probing into the factors that generated their exploits, their pitfalls
and what they encountered as a way of checkmating the current negative trend of
materialism that is associated with the propagation of the gospel.
This study will,
however, not be complete without doing justice to the nature of Nkanuland
before the advent of those missionaries. In doing this we resort to picture the
customs and practices that characterized their existence before the advent of
Christianity. It embraces also the responses of the people toward the missionaries
and their good intentions. It is also of great interest to know that alongside
with the gospel there were other packages such as building of hospitals and
schools and the abolition of evil practices such as killing of twins, albinos
etc.
Above all, this study
also throws a lot of challenges to both the present and future generation not
to rest on their oars but to ensure that the legacy left behind by those ardent
missionaries are not throw into the dust- bin of history.
1.3 Scope of the Study
The study is the
evaluation of Methodist missionary activities with particular reference to
Nkanuland in Enugu State. This study will be restricted to Nkanu, however it
will bringing highlight the exploits of those missionaries and how it influenced
both the people and the communities.
1.4 Significance of the Study
Sadly enough there is
a gross negligence of the rightful approach and motive to the spread of the
gospel by Christians and ministers in Nkanuland, taking cognizance of the
method employed by the Methodist missionaries for the successful adventure of
gospel propagation earlier on.
This work is
therefore an attempt a significance of the study to take a critical look at the
extent of the work of the missionaries, their methods and positive impacts in
shaping the destiny of Nkanu people as a way of establishing a solid foundation
and creating a landmark for the preaching of the gospel for future generation.
Furthermore, this
study is both a historical research and empirical research. It is to serve as a
base for further researches on this subject or related ones to this generation
and generations yet unborn both of Nkanu and the country at large.
The significant of
this study is that the consciousness of the believers in Nkanuland who have
went in their shelves for fear of persecution will be aroused thought the
knowledge of the boldness the Methodist missionaries exhibited.
However, it will
provide materials through which believers will be equipped enough to carry out
the propagation of the gospel.
1.5 Methodology
The study embraces
the history, cultures and traditions of Nkanu People. Primary sources will be
valuable and authentic in the write - up.
The methodology, will
include oral interviews with some elders and religious officials to get at the
crux of the missionary endeavors in the course of assiduous work in mm
Nkanuland. The researcher will also make reference to tools or resource
materials from National and State museums, or activities.
1.6 Definition of Terms
Evaluation:
Elaborating on the values, bring out the germs in a substance. Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary described evaluation as to asses or form an idea
of the amount, quality or value of something or somebody. The effect of the
significance of something.
Methodists:
They are a group of Christians who believed in the teaching of John
Wesley. They began their work in Nigeria in 1842. It is that part of world
Methodism founded by John Wesley. They began their work in Nigeria in 1842. It
is an autonomous church and preaches Jesus Christ in Spirit and in truth. It
also exercises the Lords priestly and prophetic function.
Missionary: A
person who tries to spread knowledge of his belief and of his religious practices
especially among people who are ignorance of it. Oxford Advanced learners
described is as a person sent to teach the Christian religion to people who are
ignorant of it.
The sixth edition
defined it as a person who is sent to a foreign country to teach people about Christianity.
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