Sunday 14th October and the (“half hour”) Boys Brigade parade takes an hour and a half of the service, leaving me to start preaching an hour after the service was slated to end. People were very patient though and they were very receptive and well over 600 stayed for a very delayed communion.
Then, the local Boys and Girls Brigades did a very long and complex session of Marching, salutes and exercises. Impressively disciplined performances on a very hot day. Then I joined in inspecting the troops and just managed to suppress the urge to mimic the Sergeant Major in “It ain’t ‘alf hot, Mum”.
12 responses so far ↓
Ozugbo Ugochukwu // 17 March, 2008 at 11:20 am |
i’m from 23rd remo company in sagamu ogun state. i will thereby greet you all in the name of jesus. To tell you that you should continue doing it for god and you are doing well.
I want to ask you a question? which company are you. thanks from ugochukwu.
OFFICER
Semper // 17 March, 2008 at 10:00 pm |
You will need to contact the Chapel of Grace BB for the answer to that one, I’m afraid.
Peter Fitch // 19 January, 2009 at 12:55 pm |
I received lots of correspondence from “Tope Elias-Fatile” inviting UK BB Companies to attend the Nigerian BB Centenary Celebrations in Aug 08. I know that this gentleman exists but I am not sure if this was a scam. Correspondence seemed genuine but I thought the Nigerian Celebrations were in 2007! If anyone can explain, I’d be grateful.
Captain
2nd Bath BB (UK)
Semper // 19 January, 2009 at 1:02 pm |
I am afraid I can’t help with that question.
capt. Narvis Nkpowa // 23 January, 2009 at 1:13 pm |
hello, please i will like us to partner in the promotion of the boys brigade at large. my company will be very greatful to recieve inspirational BB materials from your company.
God bless you
Semper // 23 January, 2009 at 9:17 pm |
Sorry, I am not a Boys Brigade member or representative
Tope Elias-Fatile // 27 February, 2009 at 7:31 pm |
Dear Mr. Peter Fitch,
Greetings.
I am surprised that after exchanging numerous mails with you for almost 9 months last year, gave you my phone and other contact details and I think we actually spoke on phone (at least once), you still could send the above on 19th January, 2009. I am not comfortable with how you stated that “I know that this gentleman exists but I am not sure if this was a scam. Correspondence seemed genuine but I thought the Nigerian Celebrations were in 2007! If anyone can explain, I’d be grateful.”
Besides, there were other publicity through the Global Fellowship about our centenary.Let me also inform you that the representative of Global Fellowship, who is based in the UK, was in attendance at our centenary celebrations last year.
Finally, please stop doubting the message from me on behalf of BB Nigeria. Beyond this too, it is indeed very embarrasing for me and our organisation to be reading your comments on this site in the manner you have written it.
Thanks.
Adetola Adeoye // 2 April, 2009 at 2:07 am |
Dear Mr. Peter Fitch,Mr Tope was right about the centenary celebration of Nigeria BB because i happen to be a member of the Boys’ Brigade myself with the 4th bariga company of the Diocese of Lagos West.
JOB THANKGOD AKATA // 27 July, 2009 at 2:48 pm |
i am a member of 3rd yenagoa company of niger delta west of bayelsa state
Peter Fitch // 27 July, 2009 at 5:55 pm |
Sorry about all the confusion. It’s just that there’s a lot of information out there (or there WAS a lot of information out there!) and all of a sudden it disappeared! Where is the BB Nigeria web site now? It was there one minute and gone the next! I sent emails to Tope but none were replied to! Anyway, it would be really good if someone would be so kind as to direct me to the Official BB Nigeria Web Site so I (and others in the UK) could see what’s going on! I hope that BB Nigeria is going from strength to strength and that the BB Object is fully embraced by all! More articles on this wordpress website would be good!!
God Bless BB Nigeria, it’s Officers, Helpers, BOYS and the Churches that use BB as it’s main youth outreach!
Semper // 28 July, 2009 at 9:18 am |
I am glad that this has been a point of contact and sorry that a shadow of suspicion was cast.
The purpose of this blog is not to be a service for Boy’s Brigade. I am actually uncomfortable with the copying of military features in BB and the way the ranking and promotion system works.
The way the Officers took over the meeting and prolonged it so long seemed unfair to the church and then the children had to stand in the sun for a long time.
Peter Fitch // 28 July, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
Dear Semper. Thank you for your email. I’m sad to know that you are not happy with the “rank” system that the BB has adopted. Of course, it’s origin is from the Church where protection was given to those who gave service to it (going back in history) and the origin of the chevron (or V) represents the shape of the roof support in ancient Churches. Apart from that, I cannot see any other military features, except for the “discipline and obedience and self-respect” part of the BB Object has through team-building activities such as drill, band and doing things right. The primary purpose of the BB is to be a part of the local congregation and community and to work in “advancing Christ’s Kingdom” and I am confident that the BB in Nigeria and throughout the World is doing just that. It was indeed unfortunate that maybe the enthusiasm of the Officers paid not much detail to time on that occasion which upset a few people. I’m sure that they are willing to learn from that experience and that you will be influential with Tope in preventing a repitition. I hope that you and your readers will be supportive in this area of Christian youth work and can help to build on the Christian values that we share. Sorry to “hog the blog” and send greetings from Bath, England, UK. Maybe you could have a BB Blog??