LAGOS, Nigeria, October 8, 2002 — The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has raised alarm over the piracy of Bibles, being produced by it in Yoruba, Efik, and Isoko languages among others. The Society, which made this known at a media briefing addressed by its General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Rev. (Dr.) Fred B. Odutola, recently in Lagos, alleged that the Bibles were illegally being reproduced in India and repatriated to Nigeria by some unscrupulous Nigerians. He said the perpetrators were lately affixing on the fake Bibles Nigerian BSN logo, saying that although the police have stepped into the matter, they feel compelled to warn their numerous customers, who may have unknowingly been buying from them that the guarantee to accept defected copies will not extend to pirated Bibles.
The Secretary-General said the Society was committed to the translation of the Bible into Nigerian languages, publishing them in accepted formats and distributing them at prices people can afford to ensure that lives were positively influenced by the word of God.
He explained that they translated the Bible into languages that have much usage for the Bible, stressing that to translate a Bible into any of the local languages costs them a minimum of N12million. He said they also have translations on cassettes in Ibo, Yoruba, Isoko and Hausa languages. In his words, "We are into cassette translations also because there are some people who cannot read, such people can listen to the words of God".
Odutola, who congratulated Nigerians for the country's 42 independence Anniversary celebration, urged them to contribute to the country's greatness, explaining that individual uprightness and diligence would sum up to National greatness. He regretted that while other nations were exporting equipment for industrialisation, we were busy importing amputating machines to chop off the hands of the poor, who steal bicycles while nothing is being done to leaders robbing the nation with pen.
Fielding questions from journalists, the Second National Vice- President of the Society, Pastor Agbe -Davies, argued that there was nothing wrong with the proliferation of Churches as the more the Churches the better for the society. He regretted, however, that many of the new churches were abusing their privileges as there have emerged lately fake churches and pastors.
Collaborating the view of Agbe-Davies, the acting General Secretary of the Society, Pastor David Olaleye, said proliferation of Churches was the result of indiscipline of some pastors as followers, copying their luxurious life styles always feel that the only way they can achieve that is to found their own churches.
Source: Oghenekevwe Laba, This Day News
|
