The Ambassador, Embassy of Isreal in Nigeria Shimon Ben-Shoshan, has awarded the top three winners of its 2nd National Bible Contest in Nigeria an all expence paid trip to Isreal, adding that the winners will be special guests of honour at the annual international Bible contest in Isreal this December.
Ben-Shoshan disclosed this in his opening remarks at the grand finale of the contest which held at the National Christian Center in Abuja on the theme: “Unveiling The Treasures of The Land.”
He noted that Nigeria is blessed with many visionaries and enterpreneurs, saying likewise the Jewish people were blessed by receiving the Bible which they have studied and turned into innovations.
“I have already unveiled that the land of Nigeria is blessed and the people are blessed with many visionaries and enterpreneurs amongst them, some of the unique artists I have ever ever met.
“As you all know, the Jewish people were blessed by receiving the Bible and have studied it for centuries, day and night. The study of the Bible, brothers and sisters, is the unveiled secret of our culture of innovation nowadays.
“The Bible is the very essence of the state of Isreal and how it succeeded in turning challenges to opportunities,” he revealed.
The Bible competition kicked off at the National Christian Center, Abuja at the begining of the year, with the first stage took place across the 36 states of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with more than 1,900 participants.
72 candidates scaled through to the regional stage from which the top 12 candidates were selected to the final stage, the 3rd and last stage.
“We hope that in the subsequent years, the Embassy of Isreal will have a larger participation, as well as more women participants which will further foster the relationship between Isreal and Nigeria.
“The diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Isreal is good and we are working towards taking this relationship to another level,” the Ambassador said.
Winner of the contest, Chukwu Owejere who hails from Enugu state said he took the contest as an ordinary competition, expresaing gratitude that he emerged winner and would be priviledged to see the practical aspect of the Bible when he visits Isreal.
“I am not a pastor and I do not have a plan of opening any church, I came as a contestant and thank God I won,” he said.
