• Calls for prayer, discipline, perseverance, hard work

By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A cleric, Reverend (Dr.) E. O. Adeleye, has lamented the prevalence of corruption in all facets of life across Nigeria, worried that the Church that is expected to be looked up to by the society as a shining example of purity and holiness is also not immune from this social malaise.

Reverend Adeleye of ECWA Oluti, Lagos state, who stated this at the 60th Graduation Ceremony of ECWA Theological Seminary and the 5th Graduation Ceremony of ECWA College of Education, Igbaja, in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara state, said: “Corruption permeates every level of Nigerian government, ranging from considerable contract fraud at the top, petty bribery, embezzlement, money laundering to collection of ghost workers’ salaries, among other malfeasances.”

The cleric, who was the Guest Speaker at the occasion, wondered why the citizens are always quick to attribute every wrongdoing, especially corruption, to government and its officials, when, in reality, “corruption is in the fabric of each and every one of us as well as in every organisation, including Christian Organisations.

“Inflation of purchase price, inducement to secure admission or employment, all manner of bribery to pass examinations and secure positions, kidnapping to illicitly obtain money and all manner of fraud to make wealth overnight, examination malpractices induced by sex and monetary gains, conversion of corporate assets to personal use, among others, are rife and rampant among all and sundry.”

For the Church to overcome the financial challenges as a result of the Nigerian economic reality, Reverend Adeleye stressed the need for discipline, hard work, prayer, determination and perseverance, particularly in the Church.

In his address, the Provost, ECWA Theological Seminary (ETS), Rev. (Dr.) John Olu Adetoyese, lamented that many well trained Ministers of the Gospel, including some that were trained by the ETS, have lost their identity and allowed the world around them to turn them into something else that is not glorifying to God and His Gospel.

The Provost, therefore, admonished the graduands to keep themselves pure as vessels of honour, reminding them that they have a mandate to preach Christ and allow Him to use them in whatever capacity to return sanity to the world around them.

He said: “Our nation is in a very critical state and whether we still believe it or not, the Church is the solution. But a Church that is fast losing its saltiness, how can it preserve the society? The Church must lead the government to lead the nation out of hopelessness.

“Thank God our new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has a mandate of Renewed Hope. We are equally renewing our hope that very soon Leah Sharibu and other victims of circumstances will be rescued. May God, the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, help him to succeed.”

Rev. Adetoyese, who noted that these are not the best of times for the country, said the dire financial situation occasioned by the hard economic policies of President Tinubu is affecting everyone, especially those at the Seminary.

He said: “Even when things were not as hard as this, students find it difficult to pay their fees and we couldn’t increase our fees to meet our challenges. Now that we have limited choices to make to stay afloat, I know it will not be funny but I trust God to surprise us pleasantly by providing for us according to His riches in Christ Jesus, but that provision will still come through channels like you.

“I am making an appeal to you to come to our aid to stay afloat in maintaining our staff and facilities. You can also help us mobilise support through your contacts. Majority of our facilities, especially the married hostels are becoming dilapidated and not too safe for habitation. You can also come to the aid of the indigent students who may be forced by the harsh economic realities of the moment to withdraw.”

The Provost announced that their
PhD programme has commenced, while the first intake are writing their projects now, saying that ECWA Theological Seminary is still the seminary to beat in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“Be bold to recommend us to your friends and everyone who needs theological education. In fact, we all need theological training,” he admonished.