In the heart of Jos South, Plateau State, stands an imposing monument known as the 10 Commandments Prayer Altar, a site that has evolved into a beacon of faith, hope and community transformation.
Conceived over a decade ago by former Governor Jonah Jang, the altar has grown into a spiritual hub that not only attracts Christian faithful across the country but also draws tourists, students and curious visitors intrigued by its unique presence and significance.
More than a religious edifice, the altar has become a symbol of resilience and unity in a region that has witnessed decades of ethno-religious violence.
As people gather here to pray, reflect and find solace, the story of the cenotaph and its impact on lives – spiritually, socially and economically – continues to unfold.
Since its establishment, the altar has become a place where prayers are fundamentally offered.
As the monument stands erect, the 10 Commandments trend boldly as the afternoon sun or night lights reflect on the writings.
The vision behind the monument
The vision of the altar was conceived by former Governor Jang in 2010 during his tenure. Although the idea was birthed then, construction was completed 11 years later in 2021. Jang, who also served as a military governor of the former Gongola and Benue states, as well as a two-term senator representing Plateau North, said the vision was divinely inspired.
According to close associates, despite having contributed to the construction of various churches, Jang felt unfulfilled until he pursued this vision to create a spiritual haven where Christians across the world could come to pray.
Interestingly, his idea coincided with that of a woman from the Philippines who visited Jos with a similar vision. They shared insights, and it was discovered that only four of such of monuments exist worldwide – in Brazil, Israel, Philippines, and now, Nigeria, with the Jos cenotaph reportedly being the largest.
A spiritual and tourists’ hub
With a sitting capacity of 5,800 people, a prayer alter, prayer chalets, library, among other things, the 10 Commandments’ cenotaph has become a place to reckon with in Jos as different Christian programmes are held there. Various groups also rent the place to host religious programmes.
One of the recent events that took place there was last December’s Christmas carol, which was largely supported by the state government. In attendance was Governor Caleb Mutfwang, his deputy, former military head of state, Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Plateau governor, Jonah Jang and retired military officers, among others. Renowned gospel artists like Panam Percy Paul, Solomon Lange and other great preachers graced the carol and performed at the event.
Beyond Christian events, the altar has become a key destination for school excursions, tourism and sightseeing – many visiting without charge.
While the site’s spiritual essence remains Christian, its serene landscape draws people of various backgrounds, including Muslims, especially students on educational tours.
The unique scenery and landscape of the place has continued to attract all manner of people for one function or another.
Nonetheless, the place remains principally a praying altar where people come to seek God as there are praying rooms beneath the cenotaph edifice itself.
The altar’s ministry holds weekly meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays, led by 24 elders. Individuals and groups also visit independently for prayers. Individuals and groups also visit independently for prayers.
It was learnt that those who go there to pray receive answers and have always testified to that effect. It is said that some got answered prayers on health challenges, family problems, financial lack, fruitfulness, among others. A member of staff, Buba Yakubu and the pastor in charge of the altar, Amos Gwamna attested to the claim.
Pastor Gwamna said his wife was having childbirth complications and was told by the doctors that she could not deliver naturally, but upon bringing her to the altar to pray, a day before going to the hospital, she eventually delivered safely the next day in their car on their way to the hospital.
Between the sixth commandment and recurrent killings in Plateau
Despite the prominent display of the sixth commandment: “Thou shall not kill,” the reality in the light of this commandment appears to be antithetical as Plateau State has endured violent conflicts for over two decades. Initially rooted in ethno-religious clashes in 2001, the violence later evolved into farmers-herders conflict and has since taken complex forms. Thousands have been killed, with widespread destruction of property, farmlands and livestock.
The recent killings and destructions were in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas. There were widespread reactions and condemnations, protests, accusations and counteraccusations, as well as high-powered visits to the state from different parts of the country.
Speaking on the killings in the state and giving a biblical perspective, Pastor Gwamna said one of the paramount prayer points at the 10 Commandments is that God should stop the killings and restore peace to the Plateau.
He said they were aware that the killings are not only in Plateau but going on in other parts of the North-Central and the country in general. He said their strong prayer point was plea for mercy in case there’s any way the state, the region or the country had sinned against God. He called on the Almighty God to forgive their shortcomings, stop the killings and heal the land.
On his part, Dr Salim Musa Umar, the secretary of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Plateau State, shared some insights from Islamic perspective on the issue of violence and killings, particularly in the context of Plateau State.
He said: “The sanctity of human life is a fundamental principle in Islam. The Quran emphasises the importance of preserving lives and promoting peace and justice. As Allah says in the Quran, “Whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul or for corruption (done) in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one, -it is as if he had saved mankind entirely (Quran 5:32).
“Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasised the importance of preserving lives and promoting peace. Do not become murderers after me, and do not kill one another. (Reported by Bukhari)
“And given the increasing killings on the Plateau, I would advise the people of the state, security agencies, traditional rulers, the government and other stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, understanding and tolerance.”
Funding and sustainability
Funding for the altar, according to Pastor Gwamna, has come primarily from Jang’s personal resources, including his military pension. The altar is registered, has a board of trustees and pays salaries to pastors from various states – entirely funded by Jang’s sacrifices. He revealed that even his severance package from the Senate was committed to completing the project.
The vision aligned with then President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive for state memorials. While other governors chose conventional monuments, Jang proposed the altar, which Jonathan eventually endorsed and later came to dedicate.
Community impact
A resident of the community, Elizabeth Yusuf Danat, said they had been benefitting morally and economically since the establishment of the 10 Commandments alter in their area.
She said the different events hosted at the altar had made the area to be lively, popular and full of economic activities, adding that many people in the area are increasingly venturing into selling of food, drinks and other items, which they often take there whenever there is a programme.
Mrs Danat stressed that prayers held at the altar had also strengthened the spiritual growth of the community as members often go there to pray on their own. She said people go there often to have a quiet time with their God and participate in prayer sessions, as well as a variety of Christian programmes and other religious activities.
She noted that their spiritual wellbeing had improved greatly, adding that antisocial vices such as smoking, restiveness, drunkenness and drug abuse among the youths in the community had reduced.
She also said the 10 Commandments engaged their youths in gainful activities whenever they have any construction or project; and this has reduced idleness as there’s no room to engage in antisocial and other illicit activities that can trigger crisis or violence.
She called on residents of the community to do whatever they can to contribute to the advancement of the 10 Commandments as its growth is also linked to the growth of their community, whether physically, economically or spiritually.
Another resident of the area, Patrick Nwokedi, said the 10 Commandments altar was a very good place for Christians, adding that they carry out their social responsibility to society.
He said some concrete electric poles were provided to the community, courtesy of the 10 Commandments. He added that the community was enjoying a stable level of electricity. And they are being told that there are plans to connect them to the altar’s transformer, which is actually stronger and has more capacity to carry many users.
Nwokedi also said the security of their area had improved since the establishment of the altar as the security measures of the 10 Commandments are also helping to secure the community.
According to him, the 10 Commandments has, in one way or another, boosted the military checkpoint set up close to the altar, which the community had also requested to strengthen the security of the area.
Also, Kefas Elisha said that since the establishment of the altar, the people have been enjoying the programmes held there, especially last year’s Christmas carol, which brought people from far and near, including eminent Nigerians, to their community.
He said the people were always on the lookout for programmes to be hosted by the 10 Commandments altar and even go there to inquire. He added that the people had become more attuned to gospel and religious activities, as well as the things of God, a situation that has taken their hearts away from the previously obvious worldly distractions in the community.
Also lending his voice to this is Associate Professor Dauda Abubakar of the Department of Religion and Philosophy, University of Jos, and director, Dawood Research Institute, Jos. He said any religious establishment or monument that would bring peace to Plateau State at this point in time would be most welcome because the shedding of blood is already alarming.
He called on residents of the state and beyond, as well as religious leaders, to always pray for peace, but also emphasized that prayers without action may not yield the necessary results. He, therefore, said the prayers offered at the alter should be backed by the necessary and deliberate actions to stop killings in the state and other places across Nigeria.
