CHAPTER ONE  1.0
GENERAL INTRODUCTION 
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 
Christianity is a product of the Jewish culture and religion. It is the gift of the Jews to the Roman Empire from where it spread to other parts of the world. Christianity often described as the most widespread religion since its inception has found its way into virtually almost all societies. The case of the spread of the religion can be attributed to the command given to the disciples and apostles of this faith by its founders Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19:20).  This research tries to examine the importance of this Jewish seed-Christianity-to the Urhobo people and nation who are located in the southern part of Nigeria. In recent years, the growth of Christianity in Urhoboland has been very rapid. The cause of this spread and expansion of Christianity in the land will also be treated. The history-political, economic and the social life the Urhobo people and their organizational structure will also be analyzed, as it will help to give a broad and clear and understanding of the task ahead. The lifestyle of the Urhobo people before the advent of Christianity and how Christianity has contributed to their development is not left out. 
1.2CLARIFICATION OF TERMS  For a deeper understanding of this study, it is necessary to clarify some key terms and their related concepts. Some of these key terms and concepts are:  1.2.1CHRISTIANITY: Christianity is a religion that is based on or centered around the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is about: 
1. A person – Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. 
2. A people – that God has formed on earth.  3. A way of life – that God had given to his people
1.  1.2.2DEVELOPMENT: According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, development refers to a gradual growth. It is also a new state of something that is likely to affect what happens in a continuous manner. It involves economic growth and increased standard of living.  Within the context of this study, development refers to the growth of the society in question. Development therefore is the process of improving the quality of all human lives in all aspect. 
1.2.3SOCIETY: A society is a particular community of people who share the same customs, laws etc. or a people living together in com munities2. Society is also a grouping of individuals which are united by a network of social relations, traditions and may have a distinctive culture and institutions. 
1.2.4URHOBO: The Urhobo people are located within the hinterland of the lower reaches of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, between longitude 50300 and 60 25 East and latitude 60 50 North. They are surrounded by the Bini to the North, the Ijaw to the South, the Ukwani to the East and Itsekiri to the West.
3  Urhobo people belong to the Edo speaking people of Delta State. They constitute the major minority group in Nigeria and the seventh largest ethnic group in the country.