Aba Nigeria Temple Dedication

President Gordon B. Hinckley arrived in Nigeria on Friday, August 5, 2005. During his three day visit he inspected the Temple Complex buildings, was guest of honor at a huge cultural event and led four separate dedication sessions in the Temple. During all this time, he interacted with the members of the Chuch. These pictures and stories are from Elder and Sister Whisenant, Elder and Sister Armstrong, Elder and Sister Thompson and Brother Hugh McKee who were all involved in these wonderful events. We thank them for sharing their experiences.

The Prophet Arrives

People waiting on the street outside the temple People lining the driveways in the Temple Complex
Hours before the expected arrival time
members in their best dress lined the
street leading to the Temple Complex. 		The Temple Complex driveways were also
lined with members ready to wave white
handkerchiefs to greet the prophet.

The Helicopter The Helicopter
The excitement built as the
helicopter came into view. 		It circled the site slowly,
then landed at a nearby school yard.

The motorcade arrives The Prophet waves from the car
Soon the motorcade came slowly
up the street and into the
Temple Complex. 		President Hinckley waved to the
people all along the route.

Primary Choir Greets Prophet President Hinckley responds
At the Temple Annex Building,
a choir of Primary children sang
and waved to welcome their prophet. 		He responded, waving the bouquet of
flowers that had been presented to him.

President Hinckley tours the Temple Complex Press Conference
On his agenda were a tour of the Temple
and facilities accompanied by his security
man and Doctor who traveled with him... 		...and a small press conference
with Africa West Area President,
Sheldon F. Child.

The Cultural Event

Performers
Hundreds of members contributed to the Cultural Event


Since no suitable stadium was near the Temple site, the grassy hillside at the site was used for the cultural event. A large stage was constructed and the hillside was filled with rented chairs. Rental chairs are easy to find in West Africa due to the demand created by funerals.
12,000 chairs were set up Dancers rehearsing on the stage
Twelve thousand chairs were set up
in preparation for the cultural event. 		Dancers from all over Nigeria rehearsed
on the stage. Note the flags of West
African countries in the background.

Dancers Dancers
The program included performances
of local dances from many states. 		Members made the costumes, played
the music and performed the dances.

Dancers Primary Choir
Most of those involved were youth. Primary children were involved
in activities all day long.

The crowd The crowd
The seats were full and
the crowd loved the show. 		This is a view of the crowd as seen
from the stage with the Temple behind.
What a beautiful memory for the youth
who performed.

Media Gifts for President Hinckley
Many media representatives covered
the events. 		President Hinckley received a "talking
drum" and wood carving as souvenirs.

Combined Choir
The Combined Primary Children and Missionary Choir


The Cornerstone Ceremony

Time Capsule Cornerstone
In preparation for the cornerstone
ceremony, the Area Presidency watches
as Sister Okwandu, PA committee member,
places an item in the time capsule box. 		On Sunday morning the box was in place
behind the cornerstone which was ready
for the final mortar to be applied.

President Hinckley presides President Hinckley applies mortar
President Hinckley presided and
directed the cornerstone ceremony. 		He also applied the first mortar.
He commented that he has a lot of
experience doing this!

The Dedication

The events of the Temple dedication were all carefully planned. With so much happening in a short time and so many volunteers invloved, the need for experience was great. Several missionaries and employees from Accra were in Aba to help. The crowds were large as expected, but the four dedicatory sessions were completed without any problems, due to the efforts of many workers and the patience of many, many attendees.
Custodians from Accra Skeltons and Thompsons
(L to R) Michael Dodoo, Fleicia
Quansah and Douglas Abanele from
Accra brought Temple cleaning
experience to teach the Aba Temple
custodians how to care for the temple. 		Bryon and Christine Skelton (left) came
from England for the dedication. They
were pressed into service to help Elder
and Sister Thompson who replaced them as
Area Executive Secretaries 3 months ago.

Lines for the Temple Lines for the Stake Center
Members with recommends and tickets
lined up to enter the Temple for one
of the four sessions. 		There were also lines for the Stake
Center where the sessions were
broadcast using closed circuit TV.

Outside Choir
There were choirs inside the Temple for each session.
This choir provided hymns outside between sessions.


Families Attending the Temple

Family Olukanni Family
A Beautiful Nigerian Family
On Monday the sacred work of sealing
families started in the Temple.
 		President and Sister Olukanni with
children. They have raised 12
foster children and adopted one.

Little Temple with Parents
Little Temple was back in Aba with his parents to be sealed.
He was born here a month earlier at the Open House.
The parents hadn't understood that the children must
present to be sealed to them. Temple is nursing so he
was with them, but his older brother Spirit was at home.
They will make one more trip to complete the eternal family.


The Obinna Family

The dedication of a Temple in Nigeria marks a milestone for the pioneer saints there. Among others, the Obinna family witnessed and celebrated the miracle of Church growth from the most humble beginnings. The son of the first missionary couple in Nigeria, Brother Ralph Mabey from Salt Lake City also attended the dedication. The Obinna family invited Brother and Sister Mabey to visit their home village. Elder and Sister Whisenant were also invited and provided some wonderful pictures.

Obinna Family
Raymond, Elizabeth, Fedlia, Francis, Rita, Florence, Albert
Fidelia (third from left) is Anthony Obinna's widow.
Click this link to read about the Obinna Family Pioneers .


Fidelia Obinna Brother and Sister Mabey
Fidelia Obinna Ralph and Sylvia Mabey

Church Sign Obinna Compound
A sign points the way to
the local Umuelem Ward building. 		At the Obinna family compound
the Mabeys were warmly greeted as
Brother Mabey's parents had been
greeted 27 years earlier.

In the home Coconut gifts
In the home, a portrait of Anthony
was shown to the guests. 		A young man was sent to get fresh
coconuts for gifts.

Missionary Home Nigeria Latter Day Saints
The compound still has a room
titled "Missionary Home." 		"Nigeria Latter Day Saints" is
written over another room.

Anthony Obinna's Tomb River
Anthony Obinna's Tomb The Obinnas took the Mabeys and
Whisenants to the river where the
first baptisms in West Africa took place.

Third and Fourth Generations
These Obinna children are third and fourth generation
since the family embraced the gospel. And now they have
a temple!

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