Cornelius Adam Igbudu (1914-1981) was a Nigerian religious figure known for founding the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S), an evangelical group in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.[1] He was credited with healing ability.[2] [3]
In 1992, Professor Michael Y. Nabofa wrote a book about his life titled: "Adam: The Evangelist".[4] In May 1998, Professor Sam U. Erivwo wrote that Cornelius Adam Igbudu was held "in very high regard" by Bishop Agori Iwe, his contemporary.[5]
Today, the origin of several existing Nigerian independent churches, such as God's Grace Ministry led by D. D. Mimeyeraye (now known as D. D. MiyeriJesu) and New Glory Revival Ministry led by S. U. Ayanyen, has been traced back to the evangelistic ministry of Cornelius Adam Igbudu in the Nigerian Anglican Church.[6] In recognition of his evangelistic achievements in the Nigerian Anglican Church, Cornelius Adam Igbudu was promoted to the status of a saint and a church was named after him (St. Adam's Anglican Church at Oghio in the Olomu area of Delta State).A secondary school in Araya (Adam Igbudu Memorial Secondary School)[7] was named after him, including a bible school in Emevor (Adam Igbudu Christian Institute).[8]
The Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S) has not gone defunct along with Cornelius Adam Igbudu in 1981. In fact, it has gained momentum over the years and, according to Professor Sam U. Erivwo, through this movement the Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri witnessed (and is still witnessing) phenomenal revival.[9]
According to Professor Amos Utuama, the Isoko nation has long been evangelized, noting that as far back as 1950, they had a great Evangelist in the person of late Cornelius Adam Igbudu.[10] He was said to have "visited church after church winning converts and strengthening believers".[11] He was also said to have had a disagreement with a prominent Nigerian Isoko cleric, Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena, whom he accused of "disturbing his ministry" in the Nigerian Anglican Church.[12]
He was also said to have "left unbeatable legacies in the Christian race in Isoko".[13]
On 30 October 2023, Cornelius Adam Igbudu's contribution to the spread of Christianity in Nigeria was once again recognized and he was also described as one of "Isoko's greatest evangelists".[14]