King Prof. T.J.T. Princewill, Sokonte Davies, others bag prestigious fellowship awards

• Dawari George named Chairman Board of Governors
• Professor links corruption to wrong value system in churches

Dr Dawari George, Chairman, Board of Governors Baptist College of Theology, at Obinze, in Imo State, says, the new board under his leadership will work towards repositioning the institution in line with global best practices in theological training.

Speaking during the 52nd graduation and award ceremony on Saturday, May 25, 2019, George said, ‘You will agree with me that though much has been accomplished in the past, the road to repositioning the college of Obinze as a global brand is still a distance away.

‘This is the challenge that we put forward as a board to ourselves and to everyone connected to this great institution. Consequently, it is our goal to work to take this institution to a level that distinguishes it as the leading college of theology in Nigerian Baptist convention and beyond.

‘To achieve this, the new board of governors will benchmark the operations of this institution with the best in the class of theological colleges globally and ensure that we aspire for and act towards attaining the height that will be the pride of our convention family.

‘In this regard, some of our strategic objectives shall include creating a serene and functional physical environment that promotes teaching and learning, creating a structure for academic advancement and linkages both with local and foreign institutions, enhancing the academic culture on campus through public lectures, seminars, etc, improving on the visibility of the institution through the use of information and communication technology(ICT), improving staff capacity development and welfare through training and development programmes and better living conditions, improving students’ academic excellence through enhance facility and rewards, improving the curriculum to equip trainees to connect on theological training to present secular realities, improving the internally generated revenue through creation of viable business investment outlets.

He eulogised the Executive Committe under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the management of the institution under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Kenneth N.O. Enyubara, and his predecessor, Barr. Temple Waamah, for their contributions towards the growth of the institution.

George disclosed that the board has appointed Waamah as honourary adviser and college development consultant, due to his immense service towards the development of the college.

Earlier, the guest speaker, a scholar of theology and renowned writer, Prof. Jacob Kehinde Ayantayo, attributed the high levels of corruption in the society to wrong value systems, that exist in churches.

He said Christians are not bothered about the alarming levels of corruption because pastors hinge their message on prosperity, the abandonment of communal life for the adoption of church fraternity, change of name mentality, which has led to the loss of cultural identity, lies and exaggerations.

He stressed that these wrong doctrines have led to pride, materialism, tithe consciousness, manipulative giving, stating that the only way out of the quagmire is to adhere to the golden rule of God, which encourages individuals to relate to others the way they want to be related to.

He emphasized the need for churches to commence the payment of tax, as illustrated by Jesus Christ, because according to him the failure to remit taxes have attributed to the staggering trend of corruption in churches.

He admonished the graduands to imbibe the culture of time management, patriotism, self-reliance and advance the vision and tenets of the seminary.

He said Nigerians will only break free of corruption when churches go back to good value system and the word of God, emulate foreign churches by investing in economic ventures rather than prayers.

Highpoint of the event was the investiture of the prestigious fellowship award on His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, JP. CFR, Amachree XI, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr. Sokonte H. Davies, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. T.N. Douglas, Sir. Godfrey Nnamdi Ohuabunwa (KSC), Ollorma Promise Ollorma, Dn Hon. Engr Iboro Ekanem, Dr. Japhet C. Amadi and S.A.F Ajoku.