![Theological education’s critical roles in raising capable leaders By Emmanuel Oyemomi Going back the memory lane, as far as Nigeria isconcerned, I don’t think we have a solid plan. What we have has been a legacy andthe impact of theological education has brought into the nation. Some greatinstitutions that are renowned for this – Harvard, Oxford, etc. have become thecream of the whole world. History made us know they started as seminaries butthese institutions later metamorphosed into other areas of education. JC Pool, the first Principal of the NigerianBaptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho was offered a license for a chartedUniversity by the then President, Dr Azikiwe which was rejected. The same Seminary later became the firstdegree awarding institution in Nigeria. As far as this nation and Africa are concerned,writing and education are not our heritage. Treasures not documented andwhatever education is in Nigeria is heritage and an aftermath of TheologicalEducation in Nigeria. All the schools government took over started as missionschools and government was not maintaining the legacy of the mission schools. Whenyou talk of academic integrity and soundness, we find them among the missionschools across the country. They are still functional and focused in providingsound education. Government keyed into education and made it apolitical matter to fight religion. This is through legislation against the schools.History was also doctored out of the curriculum. Several subjects have been removedas well. The nation has lost its bearing in terms ofeducation with consistent strikes by ASUU which affect the future of thestudents. We are yet to get our bearingin education. Late Chieg Obafemi Awolowo ensured education became a natural priorityto benefit the citizens but the reverse is the case today. It is worrisome thatwe have no value for education as the state of the nation’s educational systemis lamentable. Impact The impact of theological education is multifaceted, as Theological Education gave birthto several churches. It also gave birth to the proliferation of schools. These arethe immediate impact but in the 1950’s, primary school in those days werevirtually free education. If children were very intelligent, themissionaries gave scholarships to children. As a nation, we have no value foreducation. The people who had primary education to standard 6 in those days canbe compared with a graduate today. Themissionaries hired such standard 6 graduates and so many lives have beenuplifted. Missionaries hired them for several jobs in public sectororganizations. Help Theological Education must be given a space toshape leaders. We need to watch the track records of our leaders. Our leaderseven boast that our votes mean nothing to them. We have a crop of leaders who have notrack records and all they do is to manipulate. Theological education has been ostracized. In thelast few years, Theological Education has been waged war against. It is a threat/war against the source of Peacewhich is GOD. Theological Education can have a great impact on ourleaders which is a study about GOD. It is education that gives a transformationto be godly. In Theological Education,you are taught how you must have concern for fellow human beings, whenutilized, the impact is huge. Theological Education indicates that God isindivisible, most people with sound theological education act right. Theological education can train people who will useand lead the people. Theological education has produced leaders for the countrywho are functioning in various places. Theological education has helped peopleto be versatile but they are being massacred due to selfishness, nepotism andtribalism in the country. God authenticates Theological education as we willall return to God. - [ ] •Oyemomi, a professor, is Rector, Baptist College of Theology, Lagos.](https://cdn.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/atiku-wike-1-1200x900.jpg?width=1200&auto_optimize=medium)
LATEST NEWS
- 10:08 am‘Yahoo-corps member’ bags two years imprisonment for internet fraud
- 9:49 amRivers APC spokesman dumps party, decamps to PDP
- 9:48 amPolio: Two cases detected in Malawi, Mozambique force Borno to wake up, says ED BoSPHCDA
- 9:42 amCustoms intercepts N308m canabis, hands over suspects to NDLEA
- 9:39 amKenyans anxious for news on next president, two days after tight vote
- 9:38 am2023: Katsina APC Guber candidate replaces running mate
- 9:37 amTimiebi’s first letter from prison
- 9:17 amHow Ghana surrendered its independence to the US
- 9:16 amSign auto policy into law now, assemblers tell FG
- 9:13 am‘Bum bum’ sells, my DM full after butt enlargement ― Blessing CEO [VIDEO]
- 8:59 amForty-hour rainfall wreaks havoc, kills many, displaces 495 persons in Kano
- 8:35 amOn the podium with Tobi Amusan
- 8:20 am2023: I remain committed to better Nigeria anchored on youths’ devt —Peter Obi
- 7:55 amWBW: Breastfeeding in Islam
- 7:29 amBuhari, Tinubu, Sanwo-olu, Sultan hail Baba Adinni of Lagos at 100
- 7:24 amWhat I’ll do after winning 2023 presidential election – Peter Obi
- 7:14 amEl-Rufai writes Buhari, says terrorists creating ‘parallel’ govt in Kaduna
- 7:12 amPDP Crisis: Please, apply brakes, before it’s too late, Dele Momodu warns Wike
- 7:09 amCreative governance
- 7:09 amOrgan harvesting: Govt doesn’t interfere in judicial issues — Malami
- 6:42 amI still believe in Buhari – Femi Adesina
- 6:27 amUpgrade Dikio’s status, Phase 3 ex-militant leaders urge Buhari
- 6:21 amTaiwan dismisses fears of possible incursion by China
- 6:17 amUgwuanyi calls for justice in Ishi-Ozalla communal issue
- 6:05 amAnambra receives N268.2m as oil producing state
- 5:58 amWe are not funded by amnesty office against ex agitators
- 5:58 amZaki Biam invasion: Victims yet to be paid 15 years after court ordered FG to pay compensation
- 5:56 amConsolidated Hallmark rewards winners of essay competition
- 5:56 amStallion to rule SUV segment with MG ZS British brand
- 5:53 amJaiz Bank grows balance sheet to 300bn
- 5:52 amMobil $1.3bn assets: We are not yet notified of approval reversal – Seplat
- 5:50 amSEC approves NGX guidelines on trade execution for fixed income securities
- 5:49 amDMO raises interest rate on treasury bills, sells N150bn bills
- 5:42 amNigeria Air: Experts fault FG’s operational model for new carrier
- 5:39 amFaulty Aircraft: Lagos-bound Delta Air makes U-turn, refund passengers
!['Bum bum' sells, my DM full after butt enlargement ― Blessing CEO [VIDEO]](https://cdn.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Blessing-CEO-800x600.png?width=800&auto_optimize=medium)
Law & Human Rights
