Hinduism in Nigeria

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Hinduism spread to Nigeria mainly by immigration of Hindus from India and of Hare Krishna Missionaries.

Sindhis were the first to arrive in Nigeria in the early part of the nineteenth century. They had gone there to explore for business opportunities. With their hard work and shrewd business acumen, they succeeded in gradually gaining a firm foothold in the country. Initially, they were primarily engaged in trading. But gradually, while still retaining their interest in trading, they also ventured in toother fields like manufacturing and professional services. In succeeding decades, they made substantial investments in Nigeria, aggregating more then US$ 4 billion. In this way, they engaged themselves actively in the textiles sector, as well as in pharmaceuticals, fishing and various engineering industries.

Contents 1 Hindus of Indian Origin in Nigeria 2 Hindus of Nigerian Origin 3 ISKCON Centres in Nigeria 4 ISKCON’s Food for Life Programme 5 Brahma Kumaris in Nigeria 6 Sai Organisation in Nigeria 7 External links

[edit] Hindus of Indian Origin in Nigeria

The Government of Nigeria follows a liberal and non-discriminatory policy in the grant of citizenship to resident foreign nationals. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are as many as 8,000 Nigerians of Indian Origin in this country.

Starting from the 1970s, the Nigerian government and also several private sector agencies began to hire a large number of Indian doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals to assistthem. Towards the end of the 1980s, many of the Indian experts decided to return to India when, with the substantial reduction in the country’s oil revenues, the country began to face severe economic problems. In spite of this, there are still as many as 17,000 NRIs in Nigeria.

Altogether including Nigerians of Indian origin and NRIs there are 25,000 Hindus in Nigeria. Most of them live in Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria [1]

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Math exists at 3 Johnson Close Kiri-Kiri, Apapa Lagos Nigeria

[edit] Hindus of Nigerian Origin

Many Nigerians have converted to Hinduism mainly due to efforts of ISKCON Missionaries.

ISKCON inaugurated the Vedic Welfare Complex in Apapa, Lagos.

As the representative of ISKCON in Nigeria, VWC is presently engaged in providing selfless humanitarian services to under-privileged Nigerians and propagating unity in diversity among the varied ethnic groups as well as disseminating messages of peaceful co-existence between religious and ethnic groups, all in a bid to improve the quality of life for all Nigerians. It is in pursuit of this objective that the Hare Krishna group in Nigeria launched or inaugurated the Vedic Welfare Complex which boasts of facilities to achieve that purpose Day Hare Krishna Came to Town

[edit] ISKCON Centres in Nigeria

ISKCON has 9 Centres in Nigeria

Centre 1- Abeokuta, Ibadan Rd, Obanatoka (mail: P.O. Box 5177)

Centre 2- Benin City, 108 Lagos Rd, Uselu

Centre 3- Enugu, 56, Destiny Layout, Old Abakaliki Rd, Near Enugu Airport, Emene (by Efemeluna Bus stop)

Centre 4- Ibadan, 700 meters from Iwo Rd, Ibadan-Lagos Express Way (mail: UIPO Box 9996)

Centre 5- Jos, Airforce Base, Abattoir Rd, by Nammua, Ginrng Village (mail: P.O. Box 6557)

Centre 6- Kaduna, Federal Housing Estate, Abuja Rd. (mail: P.O. Box 1121), Goningora Village

Centre 7- Lagos, 12, Gani Williams Close, off Osolo Way, Ajaoo Estate 78 Bus stop, International Airport Rd. (mail: P.O. Box 8793, Marina)

Centre 8- Port Harcourt, Umuebule, 11, 2nd tarred road (mail: P.O. Box 4429), Trans Amadi Warri

Centre 9- Okwodiete Village, Kilo 8, EffurunOrerokpe Rd. (mail: P.O. Box 1922)

[edit] ISKCON’s Food for Life Programme

An industrial kitchen with bakery supports the group's Food for Life Programme, the local chapter of ISKCON’s International Food Relief Project.

The Food for Life Global is reputed to be the largest of such programmes in the world.

The Food for Life Programme in Apapa according to Mr. Bolaji Rosiji, the Director of the VWC, has been serving 500 meals daily since it came into existence 11 months ago Day Hare Krishna Came to Town

[edit] Brahma Kumaris in Nigeria

Brahma Kumaris has a Centre in Nigeria.

Address- 12 Shagamu Avenue, off Egbeyemi Road, off Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos

[edit] Sai Organisation in Nigeria

“Sri Sathya Sai Seva (Service) Organization” was originally established in 1972 as a public charitable Trust to carry out the mission of Baba: drinking water, medicine and education- the fundamental needs of every individual should be available to every one free of cost.

SAI groups used to meet usually on Thursdays in somebody’s house and carry out prayers, singing Bhajans and engaging in service activities in line with Sai Codes of Conduct.

A central meeting place named as “Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre” was first built in Ibadan (51-54 Kongi Layout which is currently known as Chief Edobor Crescent, Ashi, Off Bashorun) and registered as a non-profit making spiritual Organization in Nigeria. The site was leased for 99 years on April 19, 1982 and a beautiful “Mandir” came up with serene surroundings. Funding came from various donors.

In Lagos, the Sai activities were started in a private house in Victoria Island which is still continuing to date.

[edit] External links

• African Hindu Council Mobilizes
• There is a strong Indian community of about 25,000-30,000 in Nigeria
• Indian Diaspora in Africa/ Nigeria
• Sai Service Organisation in Nigeria