The founder of the Boys’ Brigade is Sir William Alexander Smith. William Alexander Smith was born on the 27th day of October 1854 at Caithness, Pennyland house near Thurso on the stormy North – East coast of Scotland, in England. He was born into the family of Major David Smith. Major David Smith (his father) had four children – three (3) sons & one (1) daughter and William Smith was the eldest.
The Boys Brigade came into Nigeria and was admitted and inaugurated at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Ebute-ero Lagos in Lagos State, on 5th Sept 1908. In 1963 the first enrollment in the Diocese on the Niger was performed at All Saints Cathedral hence they became 1st Onitsha Company. These men contributed to the growth of Boys Brigade from 1963 and beyond worthy to mention are: Ven. Emelugo 1970 – 1972 Christ Church Onitsha, Canon David Ekwenchi – St. Andrew, then Catechist E.O. Okonkwo (later Venerable and now late), Emma Nwora – Christ Church, Sunday Uche (later Bishop’s orderly), Ruben Ekwundu – Basilica of St. Andrews. All these men were in charge of training the Boys.
BB Chaplaincy in Diocese on the Niger
Revd D.S.A. Okoye (later Venerable and now retired)
Revd E.O. Ukpeke (now Venerable)
Revd J.C. Ofoegbu (now Venerable) 2005 – 2011
Revd Ndubisi Amaechina (now Rev Canon) 2011 – 2023
Revd Uche Mogboo (Nkpor Battalion Chaplain) 2023
Revd Canon Chijioke Okpalakunne 2024 –
Revd Chinedu Osuachala (Nkpor Battalion Chaplain) 2024
Diocese on the Niger Boys Brigade (DON BB) is a fellowship accommodating two Battalion Councils (Onitsha & Nkpor Battalion Councils) with more than 30 registered companies under the Anglican Communion. Engr. Ifeanyi Chibueze Anagor by appointment is the DON BB Coordinator from 2010 till date. The DON BB observes an annual convention and the inaugural DON BB convention was held on 3rd September 2016 with over 1000 boys and the Bishop on the Niger Rt. Rev Dr. Owen Nwokolo in attendance. At the 2023 Diocesan Location and Board meeting at the All Saints Cathedral the Bishop Rt. Rev Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo appointed Rev Canon Chijioke Okpalakunne as the new Diocesan cum Onitsha Battalion Chaplain and Rev Chinedu Osuachala as the Nkpor Battalion Chaplain.