The first person to preach the gospel at Akungba was a rubber tapper and
a Seirra Leone called Mr. Thomas in about 1904. After him, Messrs
Disu, a Lagos man and Lawani an Ijebu trader introduced the faith more
intimately to Akunmi quarter. At the same time an Ijebu man by name
David Onokoya an interant preacher who was staying with Daniel Badusi
introduced Christianity to Ibaka. Later on, Gabriel Akinmade who was
staying as a Church Workers at Oba came regularly to supervise the
Christian activities in the whole town. It was gradually afterwards that
the good news was accepted at Akua, Ilale, and Okusa quarters of the
towns.
The idea that unity makes for strength stability and progress made these
churches to fuse together gradually. In 1930, at the time of cathechist
Simon Awani Oseni, Akua, Ibaka, Ilale and Akunmi churches merged
together and had one church near Atiba market which was a central place
at the old site. The Chiefs and elders of the town disliked the Christians
and regarded them with suspicion. But in about 1911, terrible
persecution were organized against the Christian. They were frequently
arrested by the police and sent to Ikare and Kabba to serve terms of
punishment. In 1913, the Christians were driven out of the town, and
they sought refuge at Oba until Rev. H.F. Gane from Owo came to their
rescue. Among the exiles were John Oladipo, Samuel Adefarati, Falodun,
John Ademoye, Daniel Badusi, Daniel Ogunleye, Moses Ogedengbe,
Samuel Jegede, Michael Ogidan and many others. As for the church
building at Akua, the first small one which was built in 1909 was burnt
by the heathen persecutors in 1012. later on, a bigger one was built in
1913 – 1915 in which school started and which was used until the present
one of stone was erected in 1950. be it noted that formerly each quarter
had her own separate church.
Written By: Giwa Oladunjoye Victor
Department of History and International Studies
Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko
Ondo State, Nigeria.
P.M.B 001
Email Address: zicosystem2010@yahoo.com
Phone No: +2348138120674
