The Choir of Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church (BACMAC), located in Gowon Estate, Lagos State, and led by Sir Kelechi Agu, is preparing to release a music book that narrates the story of the slave trade, using Bishop Ajayi Crowther as a focal point.

Titled Samuel Ajayi Crowther: The Slave Trade, this 25-chapter book provides an in-depth exploration of the slave trade while offering insights into the life of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Bishop recognized for his significant contributions to evangelism.

Ajayi Crowther is primarily known for his work in translating the Bible from English to Yoruba.

In a statement made on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Agu explained that this collection was created out of the BACMAC choir’s desire to spread the gospel and honor the legacies of men of faith who have passed on.

“The book is inspired by the extraordinary life and witness of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. It reflects his journey from birth and enslavement to redemption, consecration, and missionary impact. It offers a musical reflection on his experiences while shedding light on often-overlooked aspects of the transatlantic slave trade and God’s sovereign grace throughout,” he said.

Agu noted that the work is unique, as it presents lesser-known stories about Ajayi Crowther. He emphasized that research for the book involved extensive travel and digging into archives to uncover uncommon information. For instance, many are unaware of Crowther’s family life or that his wife was also a slave, originally named Ashana before she was given the name Susan.

He further stated that the book serves a dual purpose as both an academic work and a musical compilation. It combines literature and music, with each chapter featuring a narrative followed by corresponding musical pieces.

“For every chapter, there is literature telling the story, followed by music that illustrates the narrative,” Agu said.

While praising Ajayi Crowther’s contributions, Agu emphasized that he was a remarkable figure deserving of ongoing celebration.

“Ajayi Crowther embodies the story of the slave trade. However, beyond that, he played a pivotal role in consolidating the Christian faith in Africa. His arrival made it easier for the gospel to resonate with Africans,” he noted.

He also highlighted Crowther’s innovative contributions to the Anglican Church, mentioning that he introduced the use of drums in worship, which nearly led to his ostracism.

The book, which is dedicated to the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Rev. James Odedeji, will be officially released at a press conference on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

“It will be available for purchase online and subsequently launched at various locations, including BACMAC and the Diocese of Lagos West. It will also be presented to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Revd Henry Ndukuba,” Agu added.

This book marks the first music book produced by the BACMAC choir, which has previously performed works such as G.F. Handel’s Messiah (Parts 1-3) and John Steiner’s Crucifixion.

BACMAC Choir has built an international reputation, bringing Nigerian music to global platforms. They host an annual music festival and have consistently represented Nigeria in various choral events across Africa and beyond. Notably, they represented Nigeria at the Africa Choral Gospel Championship in Rwanda in 2020, winning two silver medals, and participated in “Africa Sings” in Togo (2021) and Benin Republic (2022). Additionally, they hosted the Church Music Convocation and Festival in Africa in 2023, drawing choirs from over 14 African nations to celebrate through hymns, chants, and classical anthems.

U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, the first time an American will lead the Roman Catholic Church. He chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

The 69-year-old new pope appeared at the balcony in St. Peter’s Basilica and said Peace be with all of you!”

He said he wanted his message of peace to “enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are.”

He thanked his fellow cardinals for selecting him, and spoke in Italian, Spanish and Latin. Having spent years working in Peru, he thanked his former diocese in the South American country, “where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot,” he said.

He also spoke warmly of Pope Francis and concluded by leading the crowd in prayer

The Vatican has said all of the 133 Catholic cardinals who will vote to choose a successor to Pope Francis are now in Rome ahead of the conclave starting this week.

According to the Vatican, the cardinals will gather in secret in the Sistine Chapel starting at 4:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Wednesday.

They will keep voting until one choice among them has a two-thirds majority, and becomes head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The conclave itself begins Wednesday morning with the celebration of a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

In the afternoon, the cardinals will formally process into the Sistine Chapel, the storied 15th century worship space adorned with frescoes by Michelangelo, where they will begin voting for the next pope.

They are expected to take one vote on Wednesday afternoon. Subsequent days will have two votes each morning and afternoon. It takes a two-thirds majority for someone to be elected.

According to conclave regulations, if no-one has been chosen after the first three days, the cardinals should take a day-long “pause of prayer” before continuing.

The only signal given to the outside world about the deliberations will come from a chimney installed above the chapel. The cardinals will burn their ballots, adding a chemical product to create one of two colours of smoke: black for an inconclusive vote; white when there is a new pope.