The early European explorers and Colonial Masters working in West Africa in the 18th to 19th century came with Christian religious priests who formed missionary stations and built Churches across the landmass of Nigeria including the space known today as Kogi State.
1) Igala Land
Missionary activities in Igalaland dates back to the 19th century. Bishop Ajayi Crowther was the Bishop who made the first attempt to build Churches in Igalaland, particularly in Idah in 1857. The first Catholic Bishop to work in Igala land did so in Dekina precisely, he name is Rev. Father Joseph, followed by Bishop Shanahan. The Anglican missionaries arrived Igalaland in the 19th century. The Christian Missionary in Maryland (CMML) led by Mr. Hewston came to Igalaland in 1919 and started in Anyigba. The Qua-Iboe mission arrived in 1932 beginning from Ugwolawo. The Germans began their own evangelism in Igala land in 1933 erecting churches in Adoru, Ankpa and Idah.
2) Ebira Land
According to Reverend Zachaeus Asun (2018), in Ebira land Christianity started first in Okene and environs in the 19th century and spread to Ihima and environs in 1921 through Pastor Joseph Asun and his evangelistic team.
When it started in Ihima, it immediately established St. Peter’s Church Ikuehi and also kick-started St. Peter Primary School in 1922, making the school the first primary school in Ihima and environs. The evangelists also started their missionary work under the umbrella of Church Missionary Society (CMS) and continued spreading to the interiors of Ebira land.
3) Okun Land
Much of the early christian missionaries who went about planting churches in Okun land were the same ones who spread Christianity in the greater parts of the Yoruba kingdom. Bishop Ajayi Crowther and the European missionaries played a key role in the spread of Christianity in Okun land and environs setting up Catholic, Anglican, Baptist and a few other Orthodox churches in that axis.
4) Lokoja
Church Missionary Society (CMS) founded in Nigeria in 1844 was one of the first Christian missions which arrived in Nigeria, it operated from Lokoja and assisted in spreading Christianity in the Lokoja axis and across the whole middle belt region of Nigeria.
- Other Christian missions which had great influence on Kogi and their date arrival in Nigeria are;
- Wesleyan Methodist 1842
- Scottish Presbyterian, 1842
- Baptist Foreign Mission, 1850
- Roman Catholic Mission, 1961
- Sudan Interior Mission, 1893
- Qua Iboe Mission, 1932
- Assembly of God, 1939
The beautiful thing about the Christian Missions were their practices which brought about societal transformation wherever they went, those practices have changed the face of the Nigerian society forever. These practices include;
1) Setting up of schools and carrying out educational programmes
2) Setting up of Hospitals and carrying out medical services.
3) Indulging in Literature works and programmes
4) other forms of spiritual, moral and social development of people and societies.
– Enefola Levi writes from Lokoja.
