THE HISTORY OF EKAN

The History of Makurdi, the present capital of Benue state started as a little fishing town lying at the bank of river Benue called Agyogo. But with the advent of the British which brought the construction of the railway through the town in 1925, the transfer of the headquarters of Benue province from Abinsi to Makurdi in 1932 and the completion of Makurdi old bridge in 1933 brought the town to prominence as both administrative and economic activities were shifted to Makurdi. With this new administrative status, boost in economic activities and the new means of easy communication which linked the northern and southern Nigeria, Makurdi witnessed an influx of people of other ethnic groups to it. This development swelled the population of this once a little fishing town. Different ethnic nationalities came to either seek for clerical jobs or to trade because of the already available market and other opportunities. As the population increased so also the corresponding rapid growth in size of the town.2
It is interesting to note that some of these new “settlers” who came to Makurdi were Christians from the Northern Nigeria tribes who use Hausa language as their common means of communication. They came to Makurdi in search of clerical jobs, trade or transferred as company’s workers, civil servants or security personnel. They were members of reformed churches in their respective homes before coming to Makurdi town.
Historically, one may be tempted to say that there are various versions on the origin of NKST Hausa section which was later known as EKAN church but now Biblical Reformed Church of Christ for All Nations (BIRCCAN).
According to NKST newsletter3 and confirmed by other sources, Hausa speaking believers in the town of Makurdi began worshipping with NKST in 1954 at NKST Wadata. At this time NKST Wadata was a preaching centre under NKST Apir. In 1957 the late Rev. J.E Sai became a pastor of that consistory. Then being a Hausa speaking himself, he encouraged and supported the move for the Hausa speakers to worship in their language. At the time the Hausa speakers began to have their separate services, they were fifteen (15) in number. The first leader of the Hausa worshipers was Evangelist Malan Auta. He nursed the people well.
In agreement with this version, Elder Ishaku Dangana4 further opined that in 1955 when the Hausa speaking police personnel of the reformed faith at the police barracks, Makurdi who were worshipping together under the leadership of Samuel Bungal Pawa and Yohanna Numan heard about the existence of NKST Hausa section Wadata, they also joined. This increased their membership.
Another version on how Hausa section began at NKST Wadata, Makurdi is found in the autobiography of late Rev. J.E.I Sai. According to the autobiography of late Rev. J.E Sai as captured by An-or Vincent Torwombo,5 it was during his (Rev. J.E.I Sai) pastorate at NKST Apir that he started the Hausa service. According to him, he did this when he and the policemen who were Christians came together in agreement.  
According to An-or, Rev. J.E.I Sai arrived Apir, with his entire family in December, 1956 and was ordained on 17th January, 1957. He stayed at NKST Apir for a period of eight (8) years between 1957 and 1964.
It is germane to observe that from these two (2) versions, certain facts are common. It is a common fact that the Hausa speaking believers started worshipping with NKST wadata in 1954. It is also a common fact that policemen who were Christians came and joined later in 1955. It is also a common fact that Rev. J.E.I Sai arrived NKST Apir consistory which NKST Wadata was under as a preaching centre with his family in December, 1956 and was ordained as the pastor in charge of NKST Apir consistory on 17th January, 1957. He left NKST  Apir on 31st December, 1964, after spending a period of eight (8) years for NKST Harga.6
It is the author’s view that it is difficult for Rev. J.E.I Sai to start the Hausa section of the NKST Wadata which started in 1954, when he was ordained as a pastor of NKST Apir consistory on 17th January, 1957. It is very obvious that at the time the Hausa section started at NKST Wadata in 1954, Rev. J.E.I Sai was not yet ordained as a pastor so he could not have started the Hausa fellowship section of the NKST Wadata preaching centre which was under the NKST Apir consistory.
It is possible that the Hausa section which started in 1954 became stabilized and officially recognized as Hausa section during the pastorate of Rev. J.E.I Sai who encouraged and supported the Hausa section.   
It is worthy to note that as the membership of this Hausa speaking worshippers was growing from strength to strength both in number and spirit by spreading fast the word of Jesus Christ among the Hausa speaking in line with the reformed doctrines, other indigenous tribes like the Jukun, Agatu, Etulo, Idoma, Nyifon etc. started to join them to worship Christ in truth and in spirit.7
As the number of the worshippers increased, they began to have their separate services under the same roof with the Tiv in NKST Wadata, Makurdi alternatively. The Hausa speaking worshippers were under the leadership of Evangelist Malan Auta.8
It is imperative to note that this little gathering of Hausa speakers which started worshipping Christ in 1954 at NKST Wadata, Makurdi continued to worship alternatively with the Tiv service at NKST Wadata, Makurdi in the same roof under the name NKST Hausa section Wadata, Makurdi.
The Hausa section of the NKST Wadata, Makurdi continued to worship under that arrangement until 1959 when the Hausa section conceived of the idea of having a separate place of worship. The idea was as a result of the problems that arose between the two groups namely the Tiv and Hausa sections worshipping under one roof. If one group had a programme, worship became difficult for the other group that day.9
It is important to note that Mr. M.N Binga and Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan were saddled with the responsibility of looking for a piece of land. Through the efforts of these two men of God and others a piece of land was secured at along former barracks road now known as N0. 55 J.S Tarka Way, Makurdi.
It is vital to know that it was not easy to raise money to purchase the land and also to start building the church together with the pastor’s residence. It was agreed that every communicant member of the Hausa section shall contribute 6d every month. It was also agreed that appeal letters be written seeking assistance towards the building of the new church. The payment was shared into three departments with Mr. Shalgabala as the treasurer. The three departments are:-<>

1. Mr. Banchika and Major collected from police personnels.
2. Mr. Kwaitet and Mr. Binga collected from the civil servants.
3. Mr. Andrew and Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan collected from the businessmen and women respectively.10

       Through the help of God and the great assistance of communicant members like Hon. Tanko Jolly Yusuf who was then the provincial commissioner for Benue province from Takum in the present day Taraba state, Mr. Nyagarga Binga (snr), Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan, Mr. David Kwon, Mr. Elishama Mbula and other brethrens of the Hausa section, money for the purchasing of the land and the building of the church and pastor’s residence was raised.11
The land was purchased from government at the cost of £25 with all the requisite documents obtained. The project for the church building and the pastor’s house started in 1965. Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan laid the foundation after prayer in a ceremonial mood with many Hausa section members in attendance. The two projects progressed and were partially completed in 1972. Mr. Musa Sarki Takum built the two projects at the cost of £80 in 1972.12
The following members contributed immensely in providing money and materials for the roofing, painting, plastering and chairs for the church.

1. Asp. Ciroma Dangyang
2. Mr. Ashage Apake
3. Mr. Tilley Gyado
4. Mr. Nyagarga Binga (snr)
5. Mr. Aboki Akabe (Bethel)
6. Mr. S.D. Akpoko
7. Mr. Ishaku Dangana
8. Mr. Samuel Ali (Bethel)13

    On Saturday, the 29th day of July, 1972 both the Hausa section elders, the women fellowship, Choir, Sunday School and other members gathered in the evening at the new church where they sang praises to God, preparatory to the official opening of the new church.
On Sunday being the 30th July, 1972, at 9:00am the new church was officially declared open with the first worship. The worshippers in the church were 284 and offering was £35.16.11. The balance of money brought from Hausa section (NKST Wadata) to the new church was £15.02. The balance of money in the bank at the time of the movement from NKST Wadata to the new church was £31.50.14
At the new site, the first set of leaders include the following:

1. Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan         -        leader
2. Mallam Ishaku A. Dangana          -        secretary
3. Mallam Musa Sha
4. Mallam Nexson Ndabuya
5. Mallam Bulus Tok
6. Mallam Anderson Datok Dunkanding
7. Mallam Suna Shani
8. Mallam Stephen Namo
9. Mallam Dikka Shaffa
10. Mallam Samuel Bungal Pawa
11. Mallam Samuel F. Anzaki15

      It is imperative to note that the present day Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) Abinse was affiliated to the NKST Hausa section Wadata, Makurdi at its formative stage before it was taken over by the CRCN Sondi. Under NKST Hausa section, Clarkson Asumanyi, Mr. Gabriel Agou, Yohanna E. Abari and Filibus Orshi were baptized in October, 1967 and 27th/10/1968 respectively.15a The CRCN church, LCC Bege under the leadership of Rev. David Y. Angye sent to the church Evang. Nuhu S. Okpa (as he then was) as an evangelist in charge of the church which was re – named CRCN Abinse. He arrived Abinse on 28th/06/1969 and the following day being 29th/06/1969, he was presented to the congregation. The reason for the change is not clear but it may not be unconnected with the choice of the congregation. Today CRCN Abinse is a local church council (LCC) under Abinse Regional Church Council (RCC) which comprises CRCN Abinse, Gbajimba, Azyoko, Northbank and Wadata LCCs.
It is important to know that with the movement of the Hausa section from NKST Wadata to their new church at N0. 55 barracks road, Makurdi, worship and other activities in NKST wadata formally ceased for the Hausa section.16 The name Ekklisiyar Kristi A Nigeria (EKAN) Central Makurdi was adopted to replace the name “Hausa section” with an inscription “lardin NKST” meaning belonging to the NKST church or denomination.17
Rev. Peter V. Gbaishima was appointed by Apir classis to oversee the affairs of EKAN pending when a resident pastor would be posted. He was the resident pastor of NKST Wadata Makurdi. He conducted baptisms, marriages etc for EKAN members. Other pastors of the NKST denomination also assisted in many capacities. These pastors are:

1. Rev. J.E.I Sai
2. Rev. N.A Tser
3. Rev. Sha – soh
4. Rev. Degroat
5. Rev. J.A Mayange
6. Rev. Nasera
7. Rev. Ben Kgih – over
8. Rev. A.A Igber
9. Rev. Lubema and host of others.18

      It is worthy to note that Agyo, Yohanna, Zachariah, Nwana, Tegal, Ozi, Yakubani and Lawrence were the set of people baptized at EKAN church Makurdi on 24th September, 1972 by Rev. A.A Igber.
On 31st January, 1975 EKAN church was elevated to the status of a consistory with the following leadership.

1. Rev. Peter V. Gbaishima              -    chairman
2. Evang. Dawuda Auta Malan        -    vice chairman
3. Elder Ishaku A. Dangana            -     secretary
4. Evang. Manasseh Maidabara
5. Elder S.E Anzaki                        -    assistant secretary
6. Elder C.T Ewuga
7. Elder E.M Kromtil
8. Elder Musa Sha
9. Elder S.N Akuaden
10. Elder Dikka Shaffa
11. Elder S.B Pawa
12. Elder Bulus Tok19

      In 1981 Rev. Dawuda Ikom Biriyi was called as the resident pastor of EKAN church central consistory Makurdi. He accepted the call and arrived Makurdi on 5th July, 1981. He was formally ordained on the 28th August, 1981 and placed in charge of EKAN church central Makurdi as the first resident pastor of the church where he served the Lord for twenty – five (25) years in that capacity before he retired on 27th May, 2006.20
EKAN classis had five (5) consistories namely EKAN church central, Wailomayo, Gboko, Northbank all in Benue state and Akpanaja in Nasarawa state. Shortly before the grant of autonomy to EKAN classis in 2017, EKAN Church Central, Wailomayo, Gboko, Northbank and Akpanaja had late Rev. Siman Apela Auta, late Rev. Leviticus Kwanaki Adiga, Rev. Philemon Idoko Useni, Rev. Dawuda Adah Ikwulono and Rev. James Alume Azetu as their resident pastors respectively.