Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth, from a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land the rivers divide, to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 18:7)

At the heart of the Niger Delta is Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State. The Niger flows south and breaks into the Forcados and Nun rivers at the northernmost part of Bayelsa, an incredible masterpiece of nature. Aminu was waiting with his bike at the popular Ekeki junction. “Going”, that was the popular way of requesting the services of a commercial motorcycle. “Oga where you dey go?” (translated as Sir, where are you going?) said Aminu in Nigerian pidgin English. The journey to Azikoro, a satellite settlement to Yenagoa was fun but scary as Aminu raced in-between buses and articulated vehicles. “How long have you been here?” I questioned. “My grandfather came to Nembe when my father was still a young boy. They traded mostly in yam. I have lived here for thirty-three years while I have only been to my ancestral home twice in my entire life. The Ijaw people are friendly. We live together in peace. As you can see, those of us from the north are mostly the commercial bikers. They allow us practice our faith without any intimidation”. Aminu said.

Islam is growing in the Niger Delta not necessarily by Muslim Dawah or any organised group rather through migration and trading. In exploration of economic opportunities, Muslim traders and service renders from the north move down south where they carry out diverse trading as well as render services in cobbling, butchering, transport, water vendoring etc. From Swali market to Igbogene down to Mbiama, the northern Muslims have found abodes in the creek city. May they likewise find the streams of salvation.

Please Pray

• That the Church in Yenagoa and the Niger Delta as a whole will prioritise the need to reach out to the northern populace in the region with Christ’s love and the testimony of His saving power.
• For supernatural encounters for the Muslim populace in the city as well as in the Niger Delta region.
• Pray for gospel efforts, especially through radio ministry targeted at northern Muslims domiciled in the city, to receive God’s blessings