The fire was kindled about fifty years ago, precisely on the 15th of February 1976, in Bodo-City, Gokana, Ogoni Rivers State. Seven devoted elders; Ezekiel Bagbi, Sunday Bakel, Ezekiel Bonwin, Baabaa Koote, Agava Mene, Fred Vipe, and Nubari Kpegasin Kagbara, from the Apostolic Church parted ways with the administration of the church due to administrative irregularities and spiritual decay in the system of the Apostolic Church in the then Rivers Area of the church. Some young men among others, engineered the new movement under the leadership of Pastor Sylvanus Faara Vigo, which by June 1976, had been affiliated with the New Apostolic Church in Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of then Evangelist Okuyak Uwah. The first Holy Sealing took place in November of that same year.

Growth
The new Church grew rapidly throughout the region of Ogoni and at the first count has had over one hundred Congregations; beginning from Bodo-City, in Gokana 1976 then to Kor in Khana in1977 and Nonwa Uedeme in that same year.

Leadership
The leadership of the young church commenced with the late District Evangelist Sylvanus Faara Vigo, then Apostle Ukoyak Uwah, Apostle U Okoh, then Apostle Sunday Lebari, who was later dismissed for breaking the Apostle's unity. After Lebari, Apostle Benjamin Pidah, and Apostle Lekie Baovi, all of blessed memory. Upon the death of Apostle Baovi, Apostle Felix Emanerame was asked to lead the Ogoni district along with other congregations and districts in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta,and Edo States. In 2016 The Ogoni Districts of were separated; Six remaining districts were added to the remaining Districts in Rivers and Bayelsa State and Apostle Paul Ogboru was ordained to lead, while the remaining six district from Tai and Khana were added to the working areas of Apostle Iniobong Udoh. The Bishop Samuel Dedua Banuna briefly led the South South working Area upon the demise of Apostle Paul Ogboru in 2020. The present leadership of the South South working Area which is a part of the Ogoni Zone of the church is Apostle Felix Barisi Kpegasin(from 2022- till date). By this year and precisely during Pentecost of 2026 the New Apostolic Church in Ogoni land had been properly established, and has grown in membership, structures and ministers and will celebrate the Grace of God upon the Land.

Challenges

1. The New Apostolic Church in Ogoni had passed through turbulent times, scisms, crisis, restructuring. Some young brothers left the church in 1979
2. The Apostle Lebari dismissal in 1997, that gave rise to Divine New Apostolic Church when the then dismissed Apostle took away some congregations;
3. The Apostle Baovi's death saga in 2013 where six districts were transferred from the South South to the South West working area., among others.

Stability
The New Apostolic Church in Nigeria South South, and Ogoni Zone in particular, has also grown in every sense. In this year's jubilee Celebration of the grace of God in our lives we will carry out the following programs:

1. 2026 Zonal Mother's Day Ceremony at Ebubu on the 10th of May 2026

2. Ogoni Zonal Conrmation Divine Service at Luuyor, Biara on the 17th of May 2026

3. Zonal Pentecost Celebration at Bera on the 24th of May 2026

4. The grand finale of Golden Jubilee celebration of God's Grace in Ogoni land at Bamu, Bodo-City on the 31st of May 2026. The entire working Area of South South expresses, gratitude to The Almighty God for His Grace and Mercy so far. The Lord is our Ebenezer!