With Virtual Exhibition, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria Mark 100 years of Kingdom Service

Yinka Olatunbosun

‘They had the courage to say no.’ That is one of the texts written on the exhibition walls of the Centenary Museum inside the Branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria. It was indeed a sneak peak of the exhibition of historical artefacts surrounding the activities of this international organisation in Nigeria. Held last Sunday, December 1, nationwide, the special programme to mark the 100 years of Kingdom activity was held virtually on the JW Stream and the KHCONF online radio.

In 1921, the first preaching activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses was recorded in Nigeria and in 1935, their first place of worship known as the Kingdom Hall was reportedly built in Ilesha, Osun State. The exhibits in the show titled ‘Portraits of Courage’ are visual chronicles of the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses especially through difficult periods such as the civil war and the ban of Watchtower publications. Known as preachers of peace, Jehovah’s Witnesses stood courageously against the war.

Till date, these preachers continue their preaching activity in all states across Nigeria. Since the onset of the pandemic, however, Jehovah’s Witnesses have suspended all public preaching activities and in-person gatherings, substituting them with electronic forms of witnessing as well as letter writing in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.

The centenary celebration which had as theme “100 Years of Courage’’ was marked by talks, video screenings, virtual exhibition, music interludes with a unique African flavour. Some of the best distributed literature in Nigeria such as ‘My Book of Bible Stories’ and ‘Awake’ were published by the organization under the name Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.