OBI OSSAI: THE HEATED CHRISTIAN PRAYER FROM THE MISSIONARIES MADE THE ABOH KING TO REQUEST HIS CHARM By Emeka Esogbue
OBI OSSAI: THE HEATED CHRISTIAN PRAYER FROM THE MISSIONARIES
MADE THE ABOH KING TO REQUEST HIS CHARM
By Emeka Esogbue
By now, you would have understood at least that Christianity arrived the Aboh community early than Gbagle now commonly called 'Badagry' as now claimed by Southwest scholars. In fact, by the 18th Century, the Aboh settlement had started to receive Christian missionaries from Europe. Obi Ossssi, the monarch of the Aboh Kingdom, a coastal region is typically a case study.
In the year 1832, he expressed anger with Macgregor Liard for not doing trade with Aboh and threatened to block the route unless the British bought and sold with him. In 1841, he evinced interest in Christianity and granted Catechist Simon Jonas who was in his Kingdom the authority to preach the new faith among his people. Simon Jonas would depart the Kingdom which temporary ended the Christian missionary venture within the settlement. What should be noted is that Obi Ossai only accepted Christianity because he felt that the new faith was associated with British trade. For him, accepting the faith was a way to attract the interest of the British to trade with him but the British had another imperial plan so despite this Obi Ossai stuck tenaciously to the religions of his forefathers.
Something happened: Ogedegbe recounted that:
"Before signing the anti-slave trade treaty, the missionaries insisted on offering a prayer to God. Obi Ossai joined them. But half way through he felt frightened by the fervour of the prayer and sent for charms to protect him".
The missionaries were utterly shocked at his attitude and immediately unraveled his insincerity in accepting the new faith.
By now, you would have understood at least that Christianity arrived the Aboh community early than Gbagle now commonly called 'Badagry' as now claimed by Southwest scholars. In fact, by the 18th Century, the Aboh settlement had started to receive Christian missionaries from Europe. Obi Ossssi, the monarch of the Aboh Kingdom, a coastal region is typically a case study.
In the year 1832, he expressed anger with Macgregor Liard for not doing trade with Aboh and threatened to block the route unless the British bought and sold with him. In 1841, he evinced interest in Christianity and granted Catechist Simon Jonas who was in his Kingdom the authority to preach the new faith among his people. Simon Jonas would depart the Kingdom which temporary ended the Christian missionary venture within the settlement. What should be noted is that Obi Ossai only accepted Christianity because he felt that the new faith was associated with British trade. For him, accepting the faith was a way to attract the interest of the British to trade with him but the British had another imperial plan so despite this Obi Ossai stuck tenaciously to the religions of his forefathers.
Something happened: Ogedegbe recounted that:
"Before signing the anti-slave trade treaty, the missionaries insisted on offering a prayer to God. Obi Ossai joined them. But half way through he felt frightened by the fervour of the prayer and sent for charms to protect him".
The missionaries were utterly shocked at his attitude and immediately unraveled his insincerity in accepting the new faith.
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