In Memoriam: Late Reverend Nuhu Dantsoho Okpa:- The prime mover

Late Reverend Nuhu Okpa

By HRH Dr. Sabo Azyidoku Emmanuel

Supposedly, the Jukun Wanu are atheists or agnostics. This notion can be a disputable debate. The Wanu people acknowledge the supremacy of the Almighty God called ‘Ashido,’ who is the maker, the creator of the Heavens and the Earth; since the beginning of times. The intrusion of the 2 (two) famous World based religious beliefs (faiths) Christianity and Islam had dispossessed them of their own way of worship and were tagged as pagans’ and ‘Kafirs.’
This eye witness report in respect of the advent of Christianity; its formation, post-dated Islam, in Abinsi. The adventures made by the younger generation of Wanu youths to Adamawa province and the commercial centre of Onitsha, East of the Niger recruited their interests to Christianity. The worship centre then was a mobile arena. It was just like a church on the wheel. The community was perturbed at the activities of the newest religion in the vicinity, as most converts were mainly young men and a very few middle-aged natives. Church services were held in secret or obscured places for fear of being embarrassed by the traditional worshippers. This, did not deter the propagation of Christianity as the growing church began to gather more and more converts. By 1968 or there about, the congregation, tentatively made the court building, its worship centre.
It was in 1969 that the reverend gentleman, the prime mover, an evangelist extra ordinary, the indefatigable soul winner and a conqueror, the revered ‘Maibishara’, Evangelist, ‘Mallam,’ Nuhu Dantsoho Okpa arrived the threshold of Wanu territory, to promote Christianity. Right there in Abinsi, N.D. Okpa was with his wife (mama), William and Ama as children. They came in company of the charismatic, very charming and adorable man of God, named Reverend (Pastor) David G. Angye, Mr. Nuhu Abe, the Managing Director of NABECO Group of Companies. Abinsi, perhaps must have been a strange place. But must have been a name, ringing within the affinity of the Kwararafa fraternity in the confraternity. As it was customary, they were led and introduced to the seating Abiseku of Abinsi, Manu Sabo Azyjidoku II, by Sule Akoshi Anyatikpo, Clarkson Agyongule Asumanyi, Gabriel Abegye Agau, Yakubu Atama Adikwu, Yohana Edo Abari, Emmanuel Abe Aduniya, Is Tiffany’s Ataki Adanu, and a host of others; as thrilling enthusiastic adherents of the newest religion in Abinsi. Mallam, as he was generally known, became acculturated and swung into the busy work of evangelism. He had no kindred, no clan and no friend on arrival. The juvenile church was his family, his constituency,

his constituent. He quickly blended into the environment with ease, by keeping to his bounds or areas of operations with an air of bonhomie.
Mallam, indeed, remained dauntless, resolute and penetrated the natives with a wave of hand. He applied professionalism, bwitticism, focus and his dragnet of evangelism enclosed a big catch, a big pull to the on-shore.
The Sudan United Mission – SUM, locally known then as Ekklisiyyar Kristi a Sudan-EKAS, later on, became Ekklisiyyar Kasti A Najeriya-EKAN, is today, known as, the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria CRC –N. The church which started as a mere worship centre or branch church of the Bege Local Church Council, Kente, under his watch immediately relocated to the temporary site at where Mr. Ayuba Akoshi Ayiyole’s residence is situated today. The church house was more or less a make-shift, or a lapa up grade. Years after the church moved to its permanent site; remotely situated at the North Eastern part of the town.
That is the church that today has become, Regional Church Council, Headquarters, resident in Abinsi. Thus, under Pastor N.D. Okpa’s watch the church has reached an enviable height. It has also grown spiritually in all mightiness, as we pray.
As cited from his “facebook” post, Mr. Toma Ubandoma, made

reference to Galatians 6:10- King James Bible App. That, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto who are of the household of faith”. Probably, papa, N.D. Okpa, had derived his inspiration from this verse. This spiritual motivation spurted him a great deal. He nursed and nurtured the church to an enviable status. The church under his control opened so many branches in places like: Banjimba, Azyoko, Agbodo, Amngho, Agyogo, Wadata, North Bank Makurdi, the Lake Tchad, in the Cameroons – Logdo, Magba etc. For, “The real authority of an officer is recreated daily by his entire attitude; the ancient proverbs applies – “earn it in order to possess it” the more his men are convinced that the authority of his rank is observed through moral worth, the stronger will be the influence of the officer’s personality”- (German Military Training, U.S Military intelligence service, 1942). This citation matches Rev. N.D. Okpa’s wholesomeness: humbleness, gentility, all embracing personality style: not proud, not nagging, not ostentatious, all put together were a power spur to do his work diligently. His enthusiasm knew no bounds. Papa, stood crystal clear and tall amongst his equals. He did not allow an opportunity for friction, strained moments or relations between him and the church elders, the congregation, various community members in Abinsi, even the members of the inner circle etc. This endeared him to Manu Sabo Azyjidaku II, who was the Abiseku of Abinsi then. Papa was admired by all and sundry. According to Ap. Certified Amula, “A society without moral sign posts is only a glorified arena of brute instincts” Rev. N.D. Okpa, was able to keep his members calm and steady throughout his stay in Abinsi. Read John 10:27-28, for more spiritual clarifications.
By dint of his hospitality and humbleness I do remember when he visited me many times at the Government Commercial Secondary School, Takum, with errands from my father during some of their meetings or conferences at the CRC-N Headquarters in Takum, in the years past. I do remember vividly, he could trek the distance from Takum town to my school at a time when ease of transportation means were rare. Instead of sending for me to come, he would. I remain grateful till this day. Indeed, “Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again”. I still remember his mellifluous voice that vibrated at the pulpit during sermons that carried wealthy weighty divine messages. The congregation listened with absolute spiritual ecstasy to the glory of the Lord. Finally, there is no option than to give support to what Rev.Benjamin Bulus Adeka posted on his “facebook” corner, “Don’t use prayers, take principles, it will not work— Claiming scriptures, will never work, if you are not the doer of the scripture… So don’t look for scripture to claim, but look for scripture to obey.”
The prime mover, the reverend gentleman, Reverend Nuhu Dantsoho Okpa, obeyed the scripture during his time. Rest in peace Papa. The people greatly missed you. You came, you saw, you conquered. It was indeed, a David and Goliath contest. With an esoteric engineering, he differentiated between the properties of Ceaser from those of God. Only those that are embedded in the esoteric philosophy and being led in the spirit of God Almighty will be witnessing.
May God protect his own.