President Hinckley now in Nigeria

ABA, Nigeria — In the midst of a worldwide tour visiting church members in Alaska, Russia, Asia and Africa, President Gordon B. Hinckley arrived Friday in Aba, Nigeria, to the joyous welcome of Latter-day Saints here.

The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was greeted by Nigerian members lining both sides of Temple Road, which was built by the church, leading to the new Aba Nigeria Temple on a warm, cloudy early afternoon. The celebration continued as members, including many Primary children, sang and waved as President Hinckley's entourage entered the front gate leading to an ancillary building adjacent to the new temple, which is to be dedicated today. As he emerged from the car, the church president was greeted by children of the Aba Nigeria Stake.

One child, 6-year-old Amarachi Kamu-Chukwuma, stepped toward President Hinckley with a bouquet of flowers and said, "Our dear beloved prophet, on behalf of the Aba Nigeria Stake Primary, I wish you a happy welcome. God bless."

After accepting the flowers, President Hinckley greeted those gathered and expressed gratitude for the warm reception. After he entered the building, the children continued to sing as they marched back down the road toward the front gate.

Welcoming President Hinckley to Aba was Elder Sheldon F. Child of the Seventy, who is also president of the church's Africa West Area, along with his counselors, Elder Lowell M. Snow of the Seventy and Elder Adesina Olukanni, an Area Seventy. The church president arrived in West Africa after a one-day visit in Nairobi, Kenya, where he addressed a gathering of members.

President Hinckley's trip around the world began July 28 in Anchorage, Alaska, then he continued to Vladivostok, Russia. From there, he spent July 31 through Wednesday in Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; and in Hong Kong. On Wednesday and Thursday, he visited members in Delhi, India, arriving in Nairobi Thursday.

Continuing the African leg of his tour, President Hinckley toured the new temple in Nigeria, after which he greeted members of the media, including two national Nigerian news agencies, KSL-TV from Salt Lake City and the Deseret Morning News' Church News.

During the press conference, President Hinckley recounted some of the messages he shared with members in India and Kenya. He said he urged them to continue "keeping the faith, living the gospel, doing what they ought to do, taking care of their families, providing for them, giving them spiritual strength.