By Elizabeth Osayande 

Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, has urged the Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu, Ogun State graduating students to be agents of change to unite the church and bring sanity to the society that is in a very critical state.

He also commissioned the institute’s rector’s lodge, three blocks of classrooms, an electricity transformer, and a solar light/inverter for the administrative block and refectory.

Speaking at the Institute’s 2024 graduation ceremony, the head of the Methodist Church Nigeria, said that the graduates have received the needed training that would make them good ambassadors of Christianity and the church in society.

“As graduating students, ‘let us arise and build’. Our 2024 church theme describes how God led the people of Israel in the task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, the capital city of the nation. As one of you, I find relevance in the scripture, where Nehemiah who served a king as a cupbearer, wanted his country, Israel to reclaim her lost glories.

“Our theme informs us that we have roles to play in the local church where we are called to serve and the global community. Our roles include but are not limited to how we take on newer ways of building God’s church. As graduate students, you have been assured by God that provided we would arise and build, God would prosper us. In our situation, to arise means having faith to believe in possibilities and building implies taking steps to give action to our faith in Jesus Christ.  This implies that in 2024 and beyond, our new ministers must not relent in rebuilding all our broken walls,” he advised.

He commended the rector and management for their creative ways of meeting the needs of the institute and prayed that God continue to be with them for their efforts in building the church’s theological learning in the western region.

In his convocation lecture, themed: Step into the ministry, ready for kingdom business, Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, identified some steps which include total focus on God alone, giving all for the growth and development of the ministry, being willing to serve others, not after fame, not wanting to be like others, willingness to grow spiritually, willing to make their family God’s family, willingness to display a Christian character and being aware of all that is vanity.“

In his remarks, the rector of the institute, Very Rev. Dr. Raphael Idialu, commended the Prelate for his unflinching and steadfast support of the institute. He also commended the church management for their incredible support, useful pieces of advice, and timely encouragement throughout the academic session.“