Ambassador to Hungary amid mounting concern his car crash last week was part of a conspiracy to kill him.
Ambassador Gershon Jeremiah Guyit, who was an evangelical Christian and active member of the inter-denominational ICB, died at age 56 after his car crashed on the way from the town of Jos to the airport in the capital Abuja late Monday, December 19, Nigerian officials said.
However questions have been raised within his family and the ICB church about the circumstances of his death as he initially complained only about a broken arm and leg, BosNewsLife learned.
His eldest son, Longben Guyit, 31, told BosNewsLife earlier this week that the area has been known for violence and attacks against Christians, including leaders.
VERY CONCERNED
"When Ambassador Guyit made this last trip to Nigeria, he was very concerned about the political overtones of the talks of which he would be a part," confirmed ICB Pastor Glenn Ford to BosNewsLife.
"Evidently, there were two sides in government trying to accomplish some economic goals, and he had requested prayer that he take a stand for what was right, but do so in a way that did not cause difficulties from opposing people," Ford said.
Longben added "there are just to many suspicious circumstances", including reports that two rural hospitals were unable to help him because of poor equipment. He was rushed to Abuja for medical treatment and in his last phone call with his brother "complained of breathing problems," Longben claimed.
MUSLIM MILITANTS
Muslim militants and others have been blamed for attacks against Christians, but an investigation into the crash was not expected to reveal new details any time soon.
"We don’t know why things like this happen – this was a shock to all who knew him. But God is
still on the throne, and we trust that He knows best," Pastor Ford stressed.
The Christian faith played an important role in the life of Ambassador Guyit, who also represented Nigeria in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina since his arrival in 2004, Ford said. Last September he dedicated an ICB affiliated church in the Hungarian town of Debrecen. His wife Ruth played a leading role in the women meetings of the ICB.
DEATH "DOORWAY"
"Although there is place for grief for those who stay behind, we as Christians can know that death is not the end," said Ford in a message to his English language congregation.
"Death is simply the doorway into a life beyond our wildest dreams, bringing us into a place with God where there is no more tears, pain, sickness, or dying. Ambassador Guyit was a Christian and I am sure he is now in a much better life with Christ."
"Not only do Scriptures tell us that, but I have talked with several people who have died and returned, including my own father, before he finally passed away again 10 years later. They cannot find words to describe what they experience there, so wonderful, so real, so certain for those who trust in and follow after Jesus Christ," Ford said.
NIGERIAN "FATHER"
Back in his impoverished and volatile home land Nigeria it will take time for people to overcome the pain of life without him, cautioned Longben. "The people also called him father, as he was always there to help others and show his faith," he explained.
"At times he gave up his salary as a civil servant to share with others who did not have anything. My family knows that his death is just the beginning. I am only sad he will not be able to see his first grandchild my wife is expecting. That has to wait till we meet in heaven."
Longben said he was pleased his father had been able to "pray for the family in that last phone call with my uncle."
VERY ACTIVE
The ambassador was to be buried in Nigeria by the middle of next week. Ambassador Guyit leaves behind his wife Ruth Ngbakili and their five sons. Ironically the Nigerian Embassy in Budapest is located at Arvacska street, the Hungarian word for "little orphan." A Book of Condolence was to open for signature there Wednesday, December 28 and Thursday december 29.
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Budapest opened in 1992 after twenty-eight years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and Nigeria and Guyit was apparently very active in improving cultural and economic ties between his country and Central and Eastern Europe. (BosNewsLife Central and Eastern Europe Correspondent Tamas S. Kiss contributed to the story).
