*** NEWS RELEASE ***

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2010

Nigerian Government Misplaces 300 Billion Dollars Over Last 30 Years

The Tide Generates New Life in Oil Spill Country, Nigeria

Chambersburg, Pa. Nearly 50 percent of Nigerias daily oil production goes to the U.S. The Nigerian government is making 60 percent of oil revenue and oil companies are making about 40 percent. Under this scenario, the citizens of Nigeria reap nothing because the 60 percent that the government makes somehow never trickles down. And as CNN also reports, the Nigerian government has actually misplaced 300 billion dollars in revenue.

With no compensation for daily oil spills that amount to 600 million gallons of oil spilled in the Niger River Delta over the last 50 years, residents can only try to live in the midst of contamination and darkness, which leads to death.

The Tide is aware of the conditions in Nigeria and is making efforts to bring life through the message of Christ.
 
The Tide has launched their newest project, Radios for Nigeria. Now, in addition to the other countries around the world that already receive radios from The Tide, they will be supplying radios to Nigeria to allow more people to tune in to their broadcasts. This will help strengthen and build the Nigerian church and encourage Nigerian Christians not only to mature in their faith, but also to boldly continue in their mission efforts to share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Don Shenk, executive director of The Tide, states, We have made it our mission to supply programming in the heart languages of the countries we serve because that way, the true cultural issues in the region are addressed. Our Radios for India project and others have been so successful in leading villagers to Christ, that we are deeply grateful we can now bring radios to Nigeria. We trust that thousands of lives will be eternally saved due to the gospel message coming right into the villages, and changing hearts for Jesus Christ.

For over 60 years, The Tide has reached thousands of lost people through their radio programs produced in indigenous languages throughout South Asia, India, Africa, and parts of Europe.  In 2009, The Tide began broadcasting in Nigeria using the Efik language, which is spoken and understood by approximately two million Nigerian people. Nigeria is home to over 490 ethnic groups and 470 indigenous languages. In many villages in which The Tide ministers, whole families and towns gather daily around a single radio to listen to the Word of God.

In addition to Radios for Nigeria, The Tide broadcasts their programs in one of Nigerias official Muslim languages, Hausa, also considered one of the top three most commonly used languages spoken by over 39 million citizens there.

Nigeria is located just below the African segment of the 10/40 window which is comprised primarily of Muslim countries. The Islamic influence extends down into Nigeria and the northern part of Nigeria is primarily Muslim, but Christianity has taken root in the south. The new programs in Hausa will be vital to bringing the Gospel northward.

To find out more about The Tide and the Radios for Nigeria program, visit www.gospeltide.org.

The Gospel Tide Broadcasting Association was founded in 1946 by Reverend Charlie Byers.  Today, the ministry produces one-minute short feature radio broadcasts and PSAs that air across the United States, with stories of how people are coming to Christ with the help of The Tide ministry.  The Tide ministry also includes effective discipleship activities including literature distribution, Bible correspondence courses, seekers conferences (discipleship seminars) and the radio distribution project.  The combination of ministry elements has proven to be extremely effective in changing lives throughout India, Africa, and Europe, and planting churches where believers are nurtured in their faith and through which whole communities can be drawn into the Kingdom of God.

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