The people of Ogbia in Bayelsa State have been assured that the full translation of their language into the complete Bible would be achieved in no distant time. This assurance was given by the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the dedication of the Ogbia New Testament Bible last week Tuesday at Ogbia. Dr Jonathan pointed out that the idea of translating the Ogbia and Epie languages was to give them a sense of belonging and make them feel at home in the reading of the Holy Bible.
The Former President lamented that of a truth the speaking and trading of indigenous native languages in Niger Delta communities was being swallowed by the major languages and English. He explained that the Bible being translated into Ogbia and Epie languages would reverse this trend and advised mothers to teach their children to speak their native languages. Dr Jonathan whose address was read by the Chief of Staff Government House Bayelsa State, Chief Benson Agadaga promised that he would continue to partner with the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) to actualised the completion of the Ogbia and Epie full Bibles.
In his speech, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri condemned cultism in our society stressed the need for the teaching of the Word of God to counter this ugly trend. Senator Diri opined that the translation of the Word of God was not enough to change man except the heart of man is changed in positive times. The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Rt Hon Friday Kombowei Benson charged pastors as the custodians of the Word of God to be exemplary in their conducts and live above board as Priests of the Most High God..
The Guest Speaker and President of the Calebs Club International, Rev Dr Peter Uriah Oduks said that the dedication of the Ogbia New Testament had open a new page in the life of the people to understand the Bible better. Dr Oduks explained that the translation would make divine information to the people in a more clear way and Foster intimacy between the people and the Almighty God. He described the New Testament as the fulfilment of the Old Testament Law and Prophecy manifested in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and said that the translation would now afford the people the opportunity to adequately interact with God.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chief of Staff Bayelsa State Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga said that the dedication would usher in upliftment in the life of the people politically, spiritually, economically and socially. Chief Agadaga who is also the immediate past President of Ogbia Brotherhood stated that the dedication was an indication that Jesus is born in Ogbia and appealed to the people to be godly in all their activities. The Natural Ruler of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Dumaro Iwuba, the Obenobhan III declare that his people are God fearing and would continue to commit themselves to God at always.
King Owuba disclosed that his people watchword is love which had help them to developed their communities and pledged the cooperation of his people to complete the Bible. The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was represented by the State Commissioner of Labour, Employment and Empowerment, Mr Otokito F. Oparmusolot commended the BSN for spearheading the translation of the Word of God into our local languages. In his speech the President of BSN, Rev Dr Olubunmi Banwo stated the preparedness of the Society to partner with the people to translate the Bible into our local languages in fulfilment of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While introducing the Ogbia New Testament Bible to the people, the General Secretary of BSN, Dr Richard Dare Ajiboye revealed that the Ogbia and Epie New Testaments are the fastest in the history of BSN, saying that it takes more than 10 years to complete such project, but this takes five years to complete.
Dr Ajiboye then called on the beneficiary communities to religiously cooperate with BSN by donating towards the completion of the full Bible. Highlight of the dedication was the reading of the Ogbia language Revelation 22: 11-12 and Matthew 5: 15-16 by Miss Favour Ipagamo to the admiration of the people. Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno Chairman Rivers/Bayelsa Area Bible Society of Nigeria, was also at the event.
