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When you hear of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, you remember power, his name speaks of one whom God used and his legacy still lives on. One of the most popular testimony we heard was how God used him to stop an internbational witchcraft meeting in Benin. Idahosa is also truly one of the pioneers of Neo Pentecostalism in Africa.
Who then is Idahosa?
Benson Andrew Idahosa was born in Benin (now Edo state) as an unhealthy child into a poor family. His health was so bad that his father instructed the Mother to throw him away. The mother did throw him away, but after a while she took him back. This caused a temporary separation between his parents. Later Idahosa struggled to be educated up to secondary school this was due to lack of finance. He was so poor that he could not afford a pair of shoes until he was eighteen years old.
In 1952, through a dramatic incident Idahosa became a Christian in an Assemblies of God Church in Benin. After his conversion he read the whole of John’s Gospel and decided he had to witness to his friends. This was the beginning of Idahosa’s preaching the Gospel. Idahosa later sought after the experience of Baptism in the Spirit and he asked the Pastor at the Assembly of God to pray for him. He was filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. After this experience Idahosa began to preach in the different villages organizing open air meetings. He did this in the evening while he worked for a shoe company (Bata) during the day. He was also an active and committed member of the Assembly of God Church where he was converted.
The open air meetings witnessed people being healed of epilepsy and many other sicknesses. Other miracles were also happening in these meetings. The news about the open air meetings started to spread to other villages and this led to more evangelistic activities. In order to reach more people with the Gospel he bought a motorcycle to help him travel to distant villages to conduct Gospel meetings.
In June 1967 Idahosa lost his father during the Civil War riots. A year later, during one night, his room was filled with God’s presence and he was awoken from sleep by a voice. It was the Lord speaking to him about his future mission; “I have called you that you might take the gospel around the world in my name, preach the gospel, and I will confirm my word with signs following. After this experience he began to do more evangelistic meetings and outreaches. He would ask the Chiefs who head the villages for permission to conduct an evangelistic meeting in their village. They responded and more people were saved through his ministry. He directed the converts to existing Pentecostal Churches such as the Assemblies of God. Due to his evangelistic activities Idahosa soon became a leader under Pastor Okpo (the pastor at the Assemblies of God Church where he became a Christian) who gave him directions in ministry. However this did not last long as Idahosa decided to follow his own vision and establish a church. To this end Idahosa started a Bible study group in front of a store and within few years they outgrew the place bought a piece of land to build a bigger church facility. In order to build this new church building members of Idahosa’s church contributed a lot of money, time and labour.
Idahosa was granted scholarship to study at Gordon Lindsey’s Bible College, Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas United States. Gordon Lindsey also helped Idahosa financially to build the new church. While Idahosa was studying for a Diploma in Divinity, he read T.L.Osbourne’s book on evangelism and he became very concerned about evangelizing Benin his home town. He later asked permission from Gordon Lindsey to go back to Nigeria. Permission was granted and he went back in 1972 not completing his Diploma in Divinity.
Idahosa, the elders of his church and Elton began to organize Gospel meetings in stadiums. The first was the one at Ogbe stadium in Benin which attracted 10,000 people. They publicise the meeting on radio stations, print posters and leaflets. This was a pioneering effort by Idahosa as it was American evangelists who usually do this sort of thing in those days. This type of gospel meetings (usually known as Gospel Crusades in Africa) became a defining feature of Idahosa’s ministry and would later attract hundreds of thousands of people. As Idahosa and his team did these Gospel Campaigns all over the country, converts were won and this eventually led to many church plants. This church planting concept was pioneering then as it was new to Nigerian Charismatics who were not sure whether to start founding churches.
Through his personal experience of poverty, the effects of the Civil War riots on Nigeria, the global recession that deflated Nigerian economy and the influence of American evangelists, Idahosa started to articulate Prosperity Gospel making him a pioneer in Nigeria and other African countries. In 1973 Idahosa claimed he received this message from God.
The world and its people are complaining daily of poverty and want. I have given you the mouth of miracles and blessings to my people. I have asked the cashiers of heaven to be on duty as long as you have a need for my own honour and glory. I shall supply all your needs according to my riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Begin to bless your people with all blessing; ask them to ask me anything they need, and I shall provide it for them. If only they will honour me with their wealth, I shall make them to be prosperous in all areas of their lives. I shall bless your partners and co-workers.
Wake up, go to the Church in the morning, and tell them poverty died last night. What you bless on earth is blessed in heaven. Bless my people, says the Lord, who came to give the good life of abundance.
Since then Idahosa has been preaching Prosperity with his life style and story. He dressed flamboyantly, used the best cars and pursued big projects with big budgets. It would however be wrong to conclude that he only used the money for his benefits, because he helped people financially, gave scholarships to the poor, fed people, gave cars and spoke on behalf of the voiceless to the Nigerian government on several occcasions. One of his sayings was, “it is better to live for posterity than for prosperity” This was why he built primary school, secondary school, a University and a hospital. In 1981, he was ordained as the first Pentecostal Bishop in Nigeria by David Du plesis (known as Mr. Pentecost) and two other Bishops. Idahosa also pioneered a television ministry, ‘Redemption Hour’ which made him to become the first TV evangelist in Africa. His Bible College has trained the likes of Bishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams of Christ Action Faith Ministries, Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare of Word Miracle Church International, Bishop James Saah, Bishop Christianah Doe Tetteh of Solid Rock Chapel International and many others. Many of today’s Nigerian Pentecostal ministers can trace their roots directly or indirectly back to Idahosa’s ministry and influence. Men such as Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Bishop Francis Wale Oke of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Mike Okonkwo (former president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria), Ayo Oritsejafor, current president of CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) and many more. Before his death in 1998, Idahosa had visited and preached in 125 countries including Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Ghana, Cameroun, South African, Australia and Kenya. He will be remembered as an African apostle to the nations.
How Archbishop Benson Idahosa stopped a witchcraft meeting
In the past, Benin City was infamously known as the "City of Blood," where witchcraft, occult practices, and dark powers were not only real but widely practiced. At one point, plans were made to hold a global witchcraft meeting in Nigeria, with the so-called 'Chief' of witchcraft coming all the way from India.
Benson Idahosa’s late father was deeply disappointed that his son did not fulfill his desire to become a deity priest, while his grandmother remained a devoted idolater until her death.
A few months after the dedication of The Faith Arena, then the largest church auditorium in Africa, located in Upper Adesuwa, GRA, Benin, a rumor spread across Nigeria. It was reported that witches from around the world had convened in Chicago, USA, and had chosen Benin City as the venue for their first international conference.
The Chief Host, an academic from Benin, held a press conference, arrogantly announcing to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Benin and major newspapers like The Tribune, Sketch, and Punch, that the global witchcraft conference would take place in Benin City.
When Archbishop Idahosa was informed, he responded on his program, *Idahosa and You*, broadcasted by the Idahosa World Outreach, saying it was impossible. The press quickly approached him, asking what exactly he meant by "impossible" and if there would be consequences. Idahosa firmly declared, “Witches from around the world cannot come to Benin because I will kill them all.”
The city buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Reporters returned to the Chief Host to relay Idahosa’s statement, to which he arrogantly responded, “Not even God can stop it! I am a wizard, and I know the power we wield.”
The next day, national headlines featured the story on their front pages. When informed of the Chief Wizard Host’s claim that not even God could stop the conference, Archbishop Idahosa replied, "He’s right. That’s why I’m here. God doesn’t need to waste His time on trivial matters like stopping a witches' conference."
Idahosa then asked how many witches were expected to attend. He was told 9,800. Pressmen visited his home to warn him about the danger of challenging witches so openly. They cautioned him, saying, "Witches are not to be trifled with—be careful."
Unfazed by their warnings, Idahosa remained steadfast in his faith and mission, confident in God's power to prevail over any form of darkness.
Do not throw your life away, it is not compulsory to take up these challenges. You are already known by the power of God manifesting in your life. You don’t have any point to prove ‘ they said. Idahosa responded: ‘Those who take care do not take charge and those who take charge do not take care’.
The Chief Host had also warned that Idahosa was a busybody, merely risking his life. When Idahosa insisted that there would be no witches conference in Benin, the media then asked if he was ready to tell the whole nation.
They told him they intended to arrange a Tv program where he would meet face to face with the Chief ‘wizard’ to defend their individual positions.
True to himself, he replied in the affirmative. Idahosa loved open confrontations. About a week later they were both on air in a live program.
The moderator started by saying, ‘Gentlemen, we don’t want anybody to get hurt’. He then asked Idahosa’s disputant, ‘Chief Host, are you really sure you are bringing 9,800 witches from all over the world? The moderator got a resounding ‘Yes’. He faced Idahosa ‘Dr Idahosa, are you sure you are going to be able to stop this conference of wizards and witches? ‘It is not that I am going to stop it, I have stopped it’, replied the Archbishop now raising his voice.
The moderator then told both of them: “Are you really ready? Because I am now going to grant you time to tell us how serious your position is and how strong the power of your God is”. He beckoned on Idahosa and the Chief Host and both of them said they were ready. Quickly chipping in, Idahosa requested to be allowed to pray before the programme ended as he intended to kill that day.
Reluctantly, the moderator accepted. The Chief Host was unshaken. The wizard spoke first and for about 27 minutes, quoting copiously from the old testament of the Bible, sixth and seventh books of Moses, Egyptian hieroglyphics, British writings, Jewish scrolls, Indian Maharaja and other mystical books. As he ended, the moderator asked if Idahosa heard and again he said he did. ‘What do you have to say?’ Idahosa was asked.
‘There is nothing to say. I said the proposed conference is cancelled’. How? The moderator asked. Archbishop then opened the Bible and read quickly some passages from Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and some New Testament verses. He asked how many minutes he had left and was told ‘just 5’. “Fine, it is time for somebody to report to his maker” he blurted rising up. There was pandemonium in the studio.
With everyone watching, he turned to the self confessed wizard and chief host and asked: “I just need an answer from you and your life is hanging on your answer. A witch is not supposed to live and I intend to kill you now if you are one,” at home and in the studio, viewers were glued to their screens and tension was palpable all around.
“Now answer me and this large viewing audience in one or two words. Are you a wizard? Just answer, Yes or No? ‘I am not’ “What did you say because I am ready to pray” Idahosa prompted. ‘I said, I am not a wizard’ the frightened man replied. “Then there is no need to go on, stand up and leave the studio”! The Chief Host quickly walked out as sighs of relief filled the studio.
The Christian members of the TV crew exchanged smiles and gave each other thumbs-up signs as Benson Idahosa began to pray fervently in tongues.
The following morning, the Chief Host visited Idahosa’s office and even accepted a Bible. However, he continued to insist to the media that the conference would still take place in seven days.
The media returned to Idahosa to inform him. ‘Is the conference still holding or not’? “No comments” Benson Idahosa responded “but if the conference still holds, I will burn my Bible. I say it is cancelled”.
On the day of the opening, there was no conference. The next day, Archbishop Idahosa travelled to Lagos to see the President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. “As you are very well aware, I told the whole nation that the conference of the witches would not hold in this country and you can see that it did not hold” ‘Yes’, replied the Military President. ‘When I saw you and that fellow defending your beliefs and positions, I sent telex to all our embassies not to allow even one witch or wizard into Nigeria. They were all denied visas’.
Archbishop Idahosa’s deep passion for God and His kingdom was evident throughout his life. His boldness and dedication have left a lasting legacy, inspiring our generation to pursue God wholeheartedly. We are grateful for his life and believe, by God's grace and through the Holy Spirit’s partnership, we too will accomplish great exploits for God. Amen!
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