Jesus de Greatest
  Location in Nigeria | |
| Location | Abajah, Imo, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Type | Statue |
| Material | Marble |
| Height | 8.53 metres (28.0 ft) |
| Beginning date | 2013 |
| Completion date | 2015 |
| Opening date | January 1, 2016 |
| Dedicated to | Jesus Christ |
Jesus de Greatest is a statue of Jesus Christ located in Abajah village in Imo State, Nigeria.[1] It is considered "Africa’s largest statue of Jesus",[2][3][4] and is the fifth tallest statue in the African continent.[5] The 160 ft African Renaissance Monument is the tallest statue in Africa, the 66 ft Great Sphinx of Giza is second, the 30 ft Statue of Ramesses II is third, and the 28 ft Nelson Mandela statue is fourth.[5] When it comes to "the largest statue of Jesus in the world", 33 metres (108 ft) tall Christ the King in Świebodzin, Poland, takes the credit.[6]
Jesus de Greatest is 8.53 metres (28.0 ft) tall and weighs 40 tons.[4] It stands barefoot with both arms outstretched, and was carved out of white marble. It was unveiled on January 1, 2016.[5] Mass was held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Abajah with the presiding of the bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese, Ret. Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma with hundreds of Roman Catholic priests and worshipers, and the unveiling of the statue was held on New Year's Day.[2][7][8]
Obinna Onuoha, a 43-year-old businessman, commissioned the building of the statue in 2013. He explained that he had had a dream in 1997 to build a giant statue of Jesus.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ "Nigerian builds ‘biggest’ statue of Jesus in Africa". Vanguard. December 30, 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- 1 2 "'Africa's biggest Jesus statue' unveiled in Nigeria". Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ↑ "The world is about to get a new giant Jesus statue". Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- 1 2 "Nigerian builds ‘biggest’ statue of Jesus in Africa". Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Statue Of Jesus To Be Unveiled In Imo (Photos)". Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ↑ "Polish Town Erects World's Largest Jesus Statue". Christian Post. 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ↑ "Nigeria Unveils Africa's Largest Jesus Statue 'Jesus de Greatest'". Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ↑ "Africa: Bishop Ukwuoma Unveils Tallest Jesus Statue in Africa". Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ↑ "Africa’s largest statue of Jesus unveiled in Imo, the man behind it". Retrieved 5 January 2016.
Coordinates: 5°40′37″N 7°08′22″E / 5.6769°N 7.1394°E