NIAMEY, Niger (BP)–Sekou Maiga, a Baptist leader from Niger who gave his testimony during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas June 11, died Aug. 29 of a heart attack.
Maiga’s decision to follow Jesus Christ stirred a great deal of controversy among the many members of his Muslim extended family, said Brad Womble, a Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary who worked with Maiga.
Niger, situated above Nigeria in western Africa and largely covered by the Sahara Desert, is more than 99 percent Muslim and animist.
“Sekou’s conversion and baptism brought about many questions from his family and friends, but he remained faithful as he followed Jesus,” Womble said. Maiga went on to achieve certification in the Evangelism Explosion witness training program and continually shared his faith.
Maiga, whose age was not available, is survived by his wife, Hamsou; a son, Papa; and a daughter, Fanta.
During the missions program at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, Maiga told messengers how God has used Southern Baptist missionaries to bring the good news of salvation in Jesus to his unreached Zarma (Djerma) people group.
Maiga’s funeral, conducted by two Baptist leaders from Niger whose lives had been deeply influenced by his ministry, served to extend his lifelong commitment to Christian witness, said David Wood, another IMB missionary who worked with Maiga.
“Pastors Moussa and Yacouba performed a Christian funeral for Sekou, which was a great witness to the many who attended the service,” Wood said.
