The Great Isoko Evangelist Adam Cornelius Igbudu

Adam Cornelius Igbudu (1914-1981)

Was a foremost Araya-Isoko born Nigerian religious figure known for founding the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S), an evangelical group in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

AAPS is one of the largest evangelical missions in Nigeria

The exact date of Igbudu’s birth is quite difficult to ascertain, as conflicting dates have been put forward. The years 1886, 1914, and 1918 have all been given at one time or another. The 1886 date is quite unrealistic in relation to the alleged discovery, in 1914, of the legendary Bible which has been associated with his birth. The legend states that Igbudu was born two years after the Bible was discovered, so the dates of 1914 and 1918 are quite close. 

Formation of Ole-Orufuo

In 1938, he co-opted some other people into service through the formation of a prayer group known as Ole-Orufuo, which means “prayer group for cleanliness and purity.” This would be comparable to an environmental sanitation group, but woven into its objectives were other social and spiritual activities. 

Teachings of the Anglican Adams Preaching Society

The teachings of Igbudu and his group were not in conflict with those of the Anglican Church, to which Adam belonged. Nevertheless, some teachings clearly came from Igbudu: cleanliness, hard work, selfless service, divine healing, faith in the efficacy of prayer, and the unity of the church. Communities in Isoko are very well cleaned as a result of this.

Igbudu was a successful man of God and evangelist whose evangelistic enthusiasm and drive spurred many clergymen to become more involved in outreach activities.