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EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree

EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
By: Balami Lazarus
One man with a Holy Bible forcefully tried in an attempt to disjoint and change the course of history of the 100-year centenary celebration of EYN-CCBN in Nigeria. What is the rationale for “celebring 100 years of existence at two different locations”? Likes of one Rev. Joel Billi, who lacks a sense of history, if given the chance, will turn historical events and their marks upside-down and inside-out to create different versions and interpretations.
Men are subjects of history and have always neglected the importance of their footprints in the place of history, failing to realize that their activities could be a topic of history in discourse. The tempest raised by Rev. Billi at the wake of the 100-year centenary celebration of Ekklesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeriya, Church of Brethren in Nigeria (EYN– CBN ) was alarming, dire, appalling, and hair-rraising that shook the church founded over 100 years ago: March 1923, to March 17th, 2024 (101 years) as of now.
As an observer of the events, I write not only in support of one Mr. Yohanna Yusufu Balami (YY Balami), as he is known. His book, “Emerging Issues and Concerns: The 76th EYN General Church Council (Majelisa),” 2023. Has brought to light the deliberate distortion and near-death of the history of EYN Church in Nigeria. Rev. Joel, the President of EYN-CCBN was at the peak of this urgly and unhealthy situation that nearly consumed EYN as a Christian organization with her churches and members.
Looking at the issues from a historical perspective, considering the fact that Rev. Billi has discredited the true and correct source of a living history from his actions in the aftermath of the church centenary celebration to mark its 100 years of existence at Garkida, where it first started in 1923,. He began this by using the privileges of his official capacity as President of EYN-CCBN to change the course of the living history of the church that first appeared in Ladin Gabas’ northeastern Nigeria, where it was planted precisely on March 17, 1923, under a living tamarind tree at Garkida in Adamawa State by two white, humble missionaries, Rev. Stover Kulp and Dr. Albert Helser.
The news of circumventing the centenary celebration has turned the entire church council into confusion; clerics and members were disturbed by this eruption. With repeated rejection of Rev. Stephen Billi intentions that lack merit with no justification, only but to distort and change the history of origin, date, and site bore out of selfishness wrapped in greed, ethnic and monetary capitalization on the gainers chart, nurtured and promoted by him.
The concerned elders of the church and other high-profile personalities from the region, Rev. Joel, refused to shift ground, and of course darkness fell that came with a thick smell of breakup rearing its head among her many church branches. He was near achieving this feat through the disunity he created, powered, and sponsored through his throng of’vultures’ for the sole purpose of personal interest by tempering with the history of 100 years. Rev. Billi has technically distorted the church history of Nigeria.
In spite of the historical relics—tombs and plagues—on and under the living Tamarind Tree, individuals like Rev. Billi have had the guts to dare see such glaring evidence of church history long before he was born. “All other places the EYN missionaries went to were on different dates after March 17, 1923. Kwarhi was not there and has no significant attachment to its history dating back to 100 years.
The 17th of March 1923 will always and forever remain our Founders Day in Garkida under the blessed Tamarind Tree, making it our spiritual headquarterss.” My individual concern is the near collapse of the church and the damage to the rich history of EYN-CCBN. The question on the lips of members is: What has March 15, 2023, to do with the coming of Rev. Stover Kulp and Dr. Albert Helser? I put it to Rev. Joel Stephen Billi that this is but a broad-day robbery of EYN history. However, the cries of members and some well-meaning individuals in the public have helped to water down his intentions, which might have caused catastrophe for the entire EYN Church. I believe such will and shall not happen again in EYN-CBN as a church.
Balami, a publisher and columnist.
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
News
Hunter kills one, injures two in accidental shooting in Katsina

Hunter kills one, injures two in accidental shooting in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Katsina State says it has arrested a 25-year-old hunter, Bashir Bala, for allegedly shooting three civilians, leading to the death of one person in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 4:10 p.m. when Bala, a member of a hunters’ group attached to the security personnel in Malumfashi, visited a known blackspot at Marabar Kankara to purchase cannabis.
According to the report, an argument ensued during which Bala discharged his rifle, striking three civilians.
“One civilian was confirmed dead at the scene while two others sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital for medical attention while the deceased’s body was released to his family after medical certification.
“A joint team comprising Police, the Nigerian Army and vigilantes responded to the scene, and the suspect has been apprehended. Security measures within the area of responsibility have also been reinforced,” the sources said.
Hunter kills one, injures two in accidental shooting in Katsina
News
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA neutralise seven bandits in Katsina

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA neutralise seven bandits in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised seven armed bandits and recovered four motorcycles during a decisive operation in Baba, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The encounter, which lasted for over two hours on Thursday, followed credible intelligence on the movement of criminal elements terrorising farming communities in the area. Security sources said the troops engaged the bandits, killing seven while the remaining suspects fled with gunshot injuries.
Four motorcycles used in their criminal activities were recovered during the operation.
The military operation is part of ongoing efforts across frontline local government areas to dismantle criminal hideouts and ensure the safety of residents, especially farming communities during the rainy season.
Residents were urged to continue providing timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations and help restore peace across the North West.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA neutralise seven bandits in Katsina
News
Yobe records progress under Governor Buni—Hon. Usman Gimba

Yobe records progress under Governor Buni—Hon. Usman Gimba
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State, under His Excellency Governor, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, Chiroman Gujba, has recorded measurable progress in various sectors, viz., education, health, agriculture, and other social and economic empowerment initiatives in the state.
This was revealed by the Senior Special Assistant to His Excellency Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON COMN on youth and sports, Hon. Usman Gimba (Sarkin Adon Gubana), at the graduation ceremony of Shettiman Malamai School for Marriage Education in Potiskum.
He said under the governorship of my boss, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni CON, Yobe State is experiencing a giant transformation in the development of infrastructure, human capital, and agriculture.
According to Sarkin Adon Gubana, upon the inauguration of Governor Buni into office, he had set out to create an educated and a well-secured and empowered society with access to the education sector.
At the graduation ceremony, Hon. Gimba said, “What we need in the community is for all of us to be educated, including those who were in the school and those that are in the house, and this school consists of teaching those that are in the house.”
He maintained that the importance of sound and qualitative education to the growth and development of any human society needs not to be emphasized. Adding to that, the school consists of women, but wisely, we also need men; we need the education.
“Because this school is for marriage education only, but we men ourselves need it because we need to be educated on how we can handle our wives when we are married, he charged the students to make good use of what they learned from the school,” Sarkin Adon Gubana said.
The Senior Special Assistant on Youths and Sports thanks the CEO, Malam Abdurazak Abdullahi Usman, for making this gigantic initiative and calls on our leaders—traditional, politicians, and religious—to come out en masse to support the school to move forward.
Yobe records progress under Governor Buni—Hon. Usman Gimba
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