Afizere People Set to Translate Complete Bible into Izere Language
By Peter Azi – Jos
Jubilation and Testimonies in Jos as Afizere People Sign MoU for Bible Translation Project
There was jubilation and thanksgiving in Jos, Plateau State, as the Afizere people converged on the popular Afizere Arena, Gwafan (Lamingo), in Jos North Local Government Area, for the official commencement of the Afizere Bible Translation and Language Development Project.
The event featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Afizere Bible Translation and Language Development Project and the language translation partners, marking a significant milestone in efforts to translate the Holy Bible into the Izere language.
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It was an epoch-making event, characterised by dancing, singing and jubilation, as the people rolled out their drums to celebrate the historic development.
The Afizere Choir, alongside Asharwa and Amata dancers, thrilled dignitaries and guests with captivating performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Afizere people.
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Markus Nyam Hussaini, Executive Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council, described the Bible translation project as one of the best initiatives for the preservation and development of the Izere language, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure its successful realisation.
Hussaini challenged the Afizere people to wake up to their responsibility of speaking the Izere language regularly in order to preserve it for future generations.
He said, “We must be deliberate in investing in this project. We will not rest until it comes to fruition.”
The chairman also made personal and financial donations from the local government to support the progress and successful implementation of the project.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of the Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Isa Ajiji; Evangelist Daniel Izang; Abednego Itsegok; APM Senatorial Candidate for Plateau North, Engr. Arum Ajiji; Hon. Sarah Abok, Zenith Labour Party candidate for Jos East State Constituency; as well as representatives of the Traditional Council.
Speaking with our correspondent after the event, Mr. Alfred Richard, an evangelist from Edo State and one of the initiators of the project, described the Afizere people as “wonderful people.”
Richard said he had lived in Jos for many years as an evangelist before leaving the state for more than 15 years, but the vision of contributing to the spiritual development of the Afizere people had remained alive in him.
He explained that when the vision to translate the Old Testament into the Izere language emerged, he and others keyed into it and began the process of securing the necessary partnership.
“Afizere people are wonderful people. I stayed in Jos with them as an evangelist and left for more than 15 years, but the vision has been burning within me. When the vision came for the translation of the Old Testament into the Izere language, we keyed into it and started the journey for the MoU since last year. Glory be to God, it became a reality today,” he said.
According to Richard, the project is expected to produce the complete Bible in the Izere language within the next five years.
He said the translation would immensely benefit the Afizere people by helping them understand the word of God more effectively, while also preserving the Izere language and ensuring that future generations can speak, understand and appreciate their indigenous language.
Richard added that the availability of the Bible in Izere would also help the people to know and serve God better and, ultimately, bring more souls into the Kingdom of God.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper September 5, 2026
