Book revealing Igbo, other Nigerians as authentic Jews billed for launch

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

A 738-page book entitled “The Hebrew Evidence of Nigerian Jews: A Scriptural Insight” which explain the age-long mystery surrounding the origin of Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria and some other Nigerian tribes is set for public presentation on 28th September, in Abuja.

The book contains research findings pointing to the fact that several indigenous Nigerian ethnic groups share common ancestry that is traceable to the lost tribes of Israel and Edom/Iduma – the country of Esau called Edo and Idoma in Nigeria.

Most significant revelation in the book is the fact that the Paleo-Hebrew in which the Old Testament Bible was originally written is the same as Igbo language, both in words and dictionary meanings.

The book also revealed that the twelve lost tribes of Israel discovered in Nigeria, include those from Northern Israel that were captured by the King of Assyria in 722 BC and the dispersal tribes of Southern Kingdom after the invasion and conquest by the Roman soldiers in 70 AD led by Vaspasian in the Jewish-Roman war.

This assertion is backed with over one thousand different Hebrew words, phrases and sentences recorded in the book.

According to the chairman of the book launch committee, Dr. Sam Agbogun, the book is endorsed by several scholars and traditional rulers. The findings in the book will surely open a new vista in historical traditions of most Nigerian ethnic groups. It specifically solves the puzzle that has heralded the Igbo’s origin, tradition and cultural practices.

Dr. Agbogun, who is the Project Coordinator, in a statement in Abuja Friday said “the work connects the peoples of Southern Nigeria, Lower Niger and some parts of Northern Nigeria to a common ancestry, which is good for national cohesion and unity.

“The public presentation and launching of the book is billed for 28th September 2021 at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja. Important dignitaries expected at the event include ex-Presidents, former and serving governors as well as federal and state legislators”.

Authored by a renowned televangelist, Innocent Agu, the book described Igbo language as one of the prehistoric languages as it is the same as the Paleo-Hebrew, the original Hebrew language of the Bible.

The work recorded about a thousand ancient Nigerian towns from across Nigeria that corresponds to the same ancient Israeli/Idumean towns recorded in the Bible. Interestingly, while most of the listed towns are located in the Southern and Middle Belt of Nigeria, considerable number is also found in northern Nigeria.

The author further identified many ethnic groups in Africa that are connected to the nation of Israel. He posited that the original people of the nation of Israel were black. While tracing the origin of Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, the author used linguistic and anthropological evidences. He asserts that the name Igbo is derived from Eber the great-grand son of Shem and whose entire race is called Ebeo, Ebo, Ibo or Igbo.