The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Nigeria has commended Gov.
Theodore Orji for granting a waiver on the Certificate of Occupancy to
the proposed Clifford University.
Addressing a press conference in Aba on activities heralding the
centenary celebration of the church in Nigeria on March 9, 2014,
President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the church,
Pastor Bassey .E. Udoh disclosed that Gov. Orji’s support went a long
to accelerate work at the site of the proposed university.
He added that the university which is the 128th built by the church
across the world and the second in the country after Babcock
University, would soon commence academic activities at its site at
Ihie, Isiala Ngwa North council area of Abia state.
Udoh who further praised the governor for ensuring peace and security
in the state, added that the SDA Church has recorded remarkable
difference since it came to Nigeria in the year 1914.
Describing it as a divine coincidence that the church and the country
are both celebrating their 100 years of existence in 2014, Udoh
appealed to the residents of the state to support the efforts of the
government to make life better for the people.
“If we can just stop looking up to the government for everything and
support them by playing our own roles, I think a lot of things will
get better in the society, “the cleric said
He disclosed that the SDA church’s remarkable growth has impacted
positively on the Nigerian nation.
“SDA Church is 100 years in Nigeria. God has increased and is still
increasing us. From only one church in 1923, we have 584 organized
churches and 563 companies. From no district to four in the mid 1920s,
today we have 210 districts. From Pastor Benjamin I. Tikili of Nembe,
Bayelsa state who was the first convert as well as the only ordained
minister in 1924, today we have 200 ordained ministers. From only one
conference (East Nigeria Conference) in 1978, today we have 9 local
conferences and 5 Administrative Units. From no hospital and
Motherless Babies Home, today, we have 2 hospitals and 2 Motherless
Babies Home. We have a lot to celebrate, “he said.
