As the numerous pentecostal churches strive to draw more souls to swell their congregations, so also are itinerant preachers who move from place to place to share the word of God with as many people as possible.
In Lagos as in other major cities in Nigeria, market places are being turned into worship centres by traders, to bring about a seeming fusion of faith and trading.
Thursdays, which are sanitation days for traders in Lagos, have become worship days in
various markets across the state. This is made easier because the mandatory non-working hours between 7am and 10am meant for the cleaning of market places can spare traders a couple of hours for combined prayers, singing, preaching and general worship. These days, microphones and loud speakers that project the voices of worshippers have become common sights in market places.
Interestingly, it is often traders who organise and minister at such religious meetings, except during special programmes when evangelists are invited from outside to deliver a sermon.
A trader who sometimes coordinates worship programmes at Dogo Plaza, Balogun Market, where he also has a shop, Mr. Oliver Iheanacho, said most of the Thursday worship programmes are non-denominational, and therefore open to Christians, Muslims and other interested persons, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Iheanacho, who said market fellowships have existed for over a decade, explained that the services were geared towards attracting divine favour and good sales.
He said, "People are also becoming aware of the need to serve God; one might be struggling day to day without success. We believe that the spiritual controls the physical, so if one tackles the spiritual by prayer, physical challenges like struggling to sell will be broken."
Another trader, who coordinates worship sessions at Ereko Market, Mr. Samson Madu, also identified market prayer sessions as integral in the fight against the "activities of the devil in these last days."
Madu, who is also a pastor at Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, intermittently stressed his argument with Bible quotes.
He said, "This is why we are Christians. We are faced with different challenges bordering on spiritualism, evil worship and cultism; the only way to stand firm and face these is to pray. It is important to have corporate prayers at a time like this."
'Let us pray'
At a Thursday worship programme held for occupants of Ayeni Plaza, Computer Village, Ikeja, Saturday PUNCH noted about 30 traders in attendance.
But in their case, worship programmes are conducted by the complex's landlord, Mr. Yemi Ayeni, doubling as an evangelist.
The traders maintained calm all through the worship session as Ayeni's voice sounded a note of caution about the consequences of doing evil. The programme was, however, blended with other issues, particularly those concerning the management of the complex and its 56 shops.
Various committees such as Generator Committee, in charge of the purchase of a new generator for the complex and the 'Environment Committee gave accounts of their activities to the traders and appealed for cleanliness and the payment of outstanding dues.
Ayeni also used the opportunity to remind his tenants to pay their rents as at when due.
After about two hours, the programme came to an end with a closing prayer delivered by Ayeni, who requested that everyone should raise their hands and be on their feet.
Everyone did as Ayeni ordered and resounding choruses of 'amen' followed his prayers. They included, "This year, we will not die! We receive the grace to escape death! We receive the grace to escape sins, shortcomings and poverty, in Jesus name!"
After the session, Ayeni later told Saturday PUNCH that he pastors a church, besides being the landlord of the complex.
"In this zone, I'm the only landlord that also coordinates prayer sessions in the market. The scriptures tell us to go into the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, most traders work every day of the week, including on Sundays, so we are bringing the church to them," he explained.
Ayeni added that offerings at such programmes are channelled into renting speakers, microphones and other equipment.
He said, "We usually rent those things because of the stress of where to keep them. There is no space where we can be keeping such things, so we resolved to be renting whenever we need them."
However, there are some market prayer groups which have acquired microphones, loud speaker and even chairs for their permanent use. Some coordinators say that money generated from such services goes into buying batteries, sockets, posters and in some other cases, drinks to be shared among traders belonging to the unit at the end of each year.
Basically, traders have different reasons for participating in the worship sessions. While some traders described such participation as necessary to rise above the economic situation in the country, some others attribute their involvement to the general state of the country, particularly the security challenges.
A Christian trader at Balogun Market, Steven Okwuchukwu, is a staunch member of a fellowship in the market where he has a shop.
He said, "Prayer is never too much; true that we pray at home, but the one for the market is also necessary. We still have to pray to God to grant us favour and improve our sales."
Although such worship programmes started with Christian traders and are more prominent among them, it is, however, no longer peculiar to them. Muslim traders now also hold similar programmes, and investigation shows that harmony exists at various markets between traders of both faiths.
However, a Muslim trader at Ereko Market, who identified herself as Alhaja Adunni, and has been attending Muslim worship programmes in the market, said additional prayer sessions were necessary because of the "sins of the land."
She said, "Things have turned upside down now, unlike before when things were better in this country. So, we need prayers in this country to make things better for us."
Iheanacho said some Muslims join in the non-denominational programmes or the Christian versions and even give offerings.
He said, "Some Muslims attend and we pray together since many of the programmes are even non-denominational. Many even give offerings when they are leaving."
Apart from Thursdays, some complexes in market places also organise such worship sessions on other days, but usually for traders sharing a place.
Meanwhile, claims of miracles and startling testimonies have gone beyond church auditoriums to hit market places too. According to Madu, Christian traders at Ereko Market used to be poor before the start off of worship sessions.
He said, "Some 15 years ago, evil men in the market then told us that it was either we belonged to them or leave. But since we started the prayer sessions, the fortunes of Christians have been turned around and most of us are now importers. Since God took over, the occultists have all run away."
Madu said there have also been plans to unite all market fellowships in Lagos under an umbrella, but criticised market preachers who have attempted to turn fellowships into "private churches."
He said, "We don't encourage it because we are all business people. Turning the fellowships into churches is not the calling. God told us to preach the gospel and not to establish our own church; people who have tried to do that have always had problems.
"Also at Balogun Market, we don't encourage the taking of offerings from our Thursday fellowship so as not to drive some people away or defeat the purpose of the crusade. We, coordinators, even levy ourselves when we have something to do and the money we have is not enough."
However, there are a few traders who do not attend religious programmes for various reasons, ranging from mistrust to unavailability of time.
A trader, Adekunmi Alade, who expressed doubt over the sincerity of some of the preachers, said he has not been attending market fellowships.
He said, "Of course, we know that some people are only looking for what to eat, but that is not really why I don't attend. I usually use my Thursday mornings to relax at home, so I don't get to the market early."
