ODIBO CHURCH, Delta Conference -History And Pictures

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The history of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Odibo is similar to that of Warri district, Delta conference and Edo-Delta Mission/Conference. The Church began in Warri in 1948 when Evangelist Onumegbu came from Aba, East Nigeria Mission to canvass. He met Late Elder S.E. Mayiko in 1949 and introduced him to Voice of Prophecy (VOP) lessons. This little seed sown grew till July 31 1954 when Elder Mayiko was baptized. He worked with God and for the Church in different capacities till 2009 when he died.

In 1961, the West African Union, Ghana handed over the Mid Western part of the Western Region later to become Midwest Region to the West Nigerian Mission. Following the political development in Nigeria (former Edo-Delta Conference) first started as Midwest district with four Churches under the West Nigeria Mission. When Midwest state became Bendel State in 1976, it also became Bendel Mission in 1977 with four districts: Benin, Ishan, Etsako and Warri. The Warri District Headquarter (Odibo Church) gave birth to the present districts that make up Delta Conference.

Odibo Church was organized on April 17, 1976 by Pastor J.A. Adeniji, President, West Nigeria Mission during the tenure of Evangelist W. Abovwe with R.O. Faka as the first elder; S. Uzegbu, Church clerk; S.E. Mayiko, treasurer (haven retired as a Church worker in 1973); Tennyson Unuavobor and Godwin Onovae as Sabbath School Superintendent and Assistant repectively.
In 1974, the Nigerian Union sent Pastor D.L. Meyers to Benin city to prepare the ground for the take-off of the Mission. This was achieved as Bendel Mission was organized on January 1,1977 with Late Pastor P.C. Chima as the President and elder E.C. Onwere as Secretary/Treasurer.

CHURCH LAND
Late Elder Mayiko and Pastor L.O. Osekete, who worked with the East Nigerian Mission agreed that the Church first got a piece of land close to the present Warri garage between 1958 and 1960 but because of a road project the government gave the Church another piece of land in Odibo area, the present site. However, Elder R. O. Faka who joined the Church in 1962 and also vast in land history said that it was the West Nigerian Mission that sent money to purchase where we are today. Although the land was over a hectare, much of it has been lost. At a time the Egwaoritse section of the Land Planning Authority asked us to quit the land because there was no structure and even no fence. The loss of the land is a sad chapter in the history of the Church as we have become like squatters instead of a landlord.

CHURCH BUILDING
Even with our own land, the Church was still on an itinerant journey – moving from place to place to worship. We first worshipped in Okere Union School (now defunct) before moving to Court 4, a Customary Court by Nana College gate. As a result of unwarranted persecution to some members, they decided to relocate to Elder Faka brother's house along Esisi road. It was when the brother wanted to come back home that the brethren decided to build a small structure on the land. That hut was designed by Elder Faka, J. Idesoh and several others. This was during the tenure of Evangelist B. Oferen who was in charge of Warri district between 1962 and 1969. About 1966 he was transferred to Ogbona but later brought back. During this period, Elder Faka acted as the district leader.

As a result of the Nigerian Civil war, many members went back to the East. During this period, brother Chamberlain Opeke was the indigenous L.E. while W. Abovwe was a student L.E. Elder Abovwe conducted the first Evangelistic crusade in the hut in September 1976. This brought in the Biabors. Other worshippers were brother Efenure, S. Okitiekpe, Arewes, Oferens, G. Onovae, Tennyson an L.E., Chiomas, Okoros and many others.

Evangelist Oferen resigned from the work in 1969 and Pastor Osekete replaced him between 1970 and 1972. In 1972 Pastor Osekete was replaced by Evangelist F.O. Adugbo who served in Warri district till 1975 when he went to Beirut, Israel for further studies. Evangelist Abovwe was transferred from the VOP office in Ibadan to replace Evangelist Adugbo between 1976 and 1978. Pastor S.O. Gbenedio was transferred from Uromi to Warri in 1980.

The foundation of this Church building was laid in 1981 by Pastor P.C. Chima, President, Bendel Mission during the tenure of Pastor Gbenedio. The design was done by brother Simon, an African – American or a Jamaican who worked with Ibru organization. It was completed around 1986 as the 2nd Church building in Bendel Mission, the first being Uzebu. In other to secure what is remaining of the land, Elder F.O. Nwaganga as the Building Committee Chairman spearheaded the fencing. Here we are today. The initial design of this building has been modified, expanded and extended to the present potch. It was during the period of Pastor C.C. Thomas that the foundation of the parsonage was laid.

Odibo Church has witnessed growth in several areas despite daunting challenges. The choir actually began as a singing group – temporal quartet – made up of G. Arewe, P. Onovae, P. Biabor, G. Onovae. With further enlargement of the group, it became the Church choir and in 1978 Late Elder C. Okpokiri was made the first choir master. Together with Innocent Ihiedigbo, they also started the youth work in Odibo Church. Pastor J.O. Eregare came from the Mission to organize the women and Sister Okoro, the wife of Elder Okoro was made the leader of the Dorcas society.

Like a charged lion, Odibo Church (Warri district) had held evangelism in almost every part of Warri and beyond since its existence, looking for lost sould for the kingdom. In 1984, Pastor J.D. Johnson crusade at Obahor brought many souls like Rose Ede, Angela and Margaret Ugava, Amos Opeke, G. Ogoho, Sister Philo, Eld. I. U. Ndeke etc. into the Church. Ekurede-Urhobo and Itsekiri, Ogunu, Marine quarters, Enerhen, Opete, Agbarho, Orerokpe, PTI, have all heard the Adventist message.

The Ekpan city crusade of 1996 led by Pastor J.A. Ola saw the birth of Effurun district. Having giving birth to so many Churches, the church saw the need for its extension and expansion. In 2009, Eld. Ekpelimode, a charismatic leader, though may not be rich became the brain behind where we are today. His ‘on point’ approach motivated members to go extra mile. The family of Peter Egarievwe single handedly financed the foundation of the extension in 2009. In 2011, God sent Pastor A. Akhaine, a spiritual leader who knows how to move both the poor and the rich to do work for God. He made the present members give their widows mite knowing there is more blessing in building for God. Deacon Raymond Adaigbe remain the major contributor both in advice and cash to the success of this church building. Elder Lamech Kunanzang, little but mighty took over the mantle of leadership from Elder Ekpelemode in 2014 and has overseen to the end this wonderful success. However this couldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of the District Pastors - Julius Umoru, A. Akhaine & J. A. Opeke