Sabbath Churches decry marginalization, disenfranchisement, mark 105 years of existence

… Honour Late Patriarchs with posthumous awards

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Sabbath Association of Nigeria (SAN) has decried marginalization, neglect and disenfranchisement by the Federal, State and Local Governments of Nigeria saying that they were neither involved in governance nor their day of worship considered during elections.

SAN also sued for unity and oneness amongst themselves to enable them form a formidable platform cum pressure group that can have a voice and attract attention of every government in power towards involving sabbatharians in policy making.

Some leaders of the association expressed their unhappiness at Nnobi townhall, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State during the 105 years anniversary celebration of advent of Nigeria Sabbath and Memorial lecture of Sabbath Patriarchs.

The SAN National PRO, Ambassador Arinze Victor lamented that the maginalization was not only from government but also from fellow Christians who describe sabbatharians as fetish people who are diabolical in there dealings.

“The Government in power do not recognize us in whatever they do. We are not included in governance or decision making.Government needs to shift certain activities which are always slated for Saturdays because it is our revered day of worship.

“Government fixes elections on Saturdays avoiding Fridays and Sundays for those who worship on those days not regarding that some other citizens of this country hallow Saturdays according to the Bible.

“Government also fixes some important national examinations on Saturday making it sometimes difficult for our children to participate in the examinations. There is freedom of worship in Nigeria and our day of worship should be respected,” Arinze said.

Also, Chairman National planning committee, Rev. Prince John-Ukwu Obi, National Secretary Strategy, Apostle James Owen, Bishop Bright Agbanu, Nabi OnyebuYah Onyeagorom, Elder David King after admonishing the Sabbatharians to remain faithful disclosed that there are over 2.5 million Sabbatharians who are disenfranchised during elections.

They said in their separate speeches that as part of Nigerian citizens they should take part in voting Nigeria leaders into political positions pleading with government to recognize Saturday as a holiday and allow sabbatharians participate in election by choosing another day other than Saturday for elections.

Presenting his lecture titled ‘Nigeria Sabbath: Reformation, Unification and Unity in diversity’ the SAN National President, Bishop Dr. Raphael Nwankwo flanked by Nabi OnyebuYah Onyeagorom and Priest Nwagbo Chibueze of Yaweh Synagogue Oba sued for oneness of all the Sabbath groups of churches.

“I have documented the seven (7) charters of SAN which will serve as a vision of the present generation of Nigeria Sabbath. Divided we fall but united we stand together with one voice to attract the attention that will make us included in governance and decision making.

“The seven charters include Unification, Education, Empowerment, Health, Hospitality, Politics, Power and Leadership . When we build human beings you have build a church but if you build church auditoriums without building people it will become empty one day,” Bishop Nwankwo said.

According to Onyeagorom, let us stop creating numerous associations among the Sabbath churches. In SAN everyone is somebody and everyone’s interest is protected. Let us have one voice. Nigeria Sabbath has come a long way to left unnoticed but we need the SAN umbrella to influence both government and our society positively.

However, several Nigeria Sabbath Spiritual founding fathers/ patriachs received posthumous awards. They include the Primate Emmanuel Ekeke Lolo, Primate Mark Okeke Onuabuchi, Most Rev. Michael Nwobi Amakeze, Rev Josiah Ezechukwu, Most Rev John Agbanu, Most Rev. Samuel Okpala Nnabueze and others.

Receiving posthumous awards unbehalf of their late fathers, Keynote speaker, Cohen Chukwunwem Amakaeze and Rev. Samuel Ezechukwu advised Sabbatharians always to stand on the Bible truth of the keeping the seventh day holy urging them not to allow the light handed over them by their patriarchs to go off.

A youth and an SA on political matters to former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano Hon Solomon Onwusika advised the Elders of SAN to inject new young blood into the leadership irrespective of wether they are priests or not to bring in millennial innovations that will make Sabbath churches attractive and influential.