Nigeria Tourism
Mega churches stir tourism in Nigeria
LAGOS, Nigeria (eTN) - The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has released its executive summary of tourism events during the Christmas period. To the surprise of some, big evangelical churches attracted over 15 million people to their retreat grounds generating N90 billion (approximately $890 million] during the seven-day holiday period.
The figures from NTDC confirm what has been an unofficial belief that annual congresses by mega churches attract more people to the Lagos area in December than any other gathering in the world.
For a country that is just launching its tourism master plan, this is good news because, for once, figures show that domestic tourism is alive. Nigerian evangelical churches are the fastest growing Christian organizations in the world. They are popular all over Africa and in the West. One of the churches, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, just opened a new headquarter in Floyd, Texas. These churches are so popular worldwide that they have branches even in countries without Nigerian embassies.
According to NTDC director general Otunba Segun Runsewe, the “Holy Ghost Congress” at Ibafon, near Lagos, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God [RCCG] attracted over 3 million people from 34 countries--14 African and 20 non-African countries, spending over $10 million on accommodation and feeding in seven days by foreign delegates and about N22 billion (approximately $200 million) by the domestic delegates on accommodation, transportation, food, souvenirs, etc.
NTDC director general also said that Shiloh 2007, a gathering by the Winners Chapel, another evangelical church attracted 4.5 million people for its annual congress at Otta, near Lagos in Nigeria’s southwest.
Shiloh 2007 attracted delegates from 35 countries 12 African and 23 non-African countries who spent eight days. Foreign delegates spent just $1.5 million, while the Nigerian delegates spent about $630 million during the course of the eight-day affair.
Winners Chapel has the largest church building in the world seating over 50,000 devotees. It also has a very modern “Covenant “University and its leader, Dr. David Oyedepo, flies around in a private jet.
Meanwhile, figures from the retreat of another mega-church, The Deeper Life Bible Church and Christ Embassy were not made available by the agency. Another Christian organization, though not accepted by evangelicals as one of their own, Synagogue Church attracts about 60,000 foreigners every year from Korea, South Africa, and Scandinavian countries to its Lagos based center.
Comments
Nigeria is one of the poorest countries? where did u get that from? Come to Nigeria and you will be surprised at what you will see... visit http://www.cometonigeria.com
Really, well that is surprising since fear of GOD means being a responsible in every thing you do so that you do not harm anybody. I don’t believe women who (like yourself) sleep around have any fear of GOD as they can spread diseases and I also don’t believe going out of your way to hurt someone else’s life professionally and personally shows any fear of GOD. In the end is about you not about missionaries. Take responsibility for your acts for once! You should be stronger in the faith and less of a hypocrite
The comment from the respondent on January 10,2008 that Nigeria is one of the poorest country in South Africa is wrong from his point of view. As another respondent have said, Nigeria is not in South Africa and not among the poorest country in Africa.
Am happy that you welcome the news that Mega Churches stir tourism in Nigeria, this is just the beginning. Many good things are on the way in the world of tourism as far as Nigeria is concern, going by the good work of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) under the able leadership of Otunba Segun Runsewe. Just be on the look out.
Just to comment on the statement by one of the respondents that Nigeria is one of the 'poorest countries in South Africa,' that is absolutely incorrect. Nigeria is not in South Africa but in West Africa. As a country, Nigeria is richly blessed with resources but the country's bane is bad leadership.
Tourism activities such as the religious conventions towards the end of each year is helping to stimulate inboud tourist activities in the country.
Please have a look at your atlas.
Nigeria is definately not in (Nor even near) South Africa
Here in Nigeria, we might apear bad in the eyes of the world, but believe you me that an avarage Nigerian has a deep fear of God, whether muslims or christians. Maybe this may be our launching pad to, not only our peculiar tourism, but also re-evangelising our fomer missonaries who are no longer stronge in the FAITH.
Amaka.
I know that Nigeria is one of the poorest country in South Africa and struggling for its economy growth and its good news to know that Mega Churches stir tourism there, thank you for informing this.
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