Education

ASUU Strike: Baptist Convention President Calls for Prompt Resolution

By Web News 693

For the upteenth time, the  Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has again extended its ongoing strike by another twelve weeks, making it six months running that students have been off academic work. Reason for the Union’s refusal to call off the strike remains government’s negligence to honour their agreement on issues affecting the academic community.

This lingering crisis with no solution in sight yet is what probably informed the advise by the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr Israel Akanji, to ASUU to also explore other viable means of sustaining the University system.

Dr Akanji gave the advice at a news conference in Ibadan.

“We  believe that the future of our nation rests on quality education and all stakeholders must work together to get it right. We as Christian body will continue to raise our voices in prayer for divine intervention in the quick resolution of the challenges in the country education sector” Dr Akanji said.

The Baptist convention president explained that, such step would put an end to incessant strike, saying that developed nations of the world also seek help  from non-governmental organisations, individuals and society for their survival. 

He appealed to the Federal government and ASUU to come to terms and resolve the impasse so as to stabilise the academic calendar.
On security, Dr Akanji urged government to seek assistance from other countries of the world to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

He explained that the issue of security had seriously affected the development of Nigeria hence  the need for decisive action from government and prayers from all Nigerians.
“As a Christian denomination, we cannot but look up to God in prayer for help. We strongly advise government at the three tiers of government to organise constant prayers as one of the weapons to Curbing and resolving security challenges in Nigeria.  In the interim, we urge  government to swallow pride and engage international help in various efforts to decapitate terrorist groups in Nigeria”
 Rev Doctor Akanji further appealed to the governor of Kwara state Abdul razak Abdul Rahman to reconsider  his stand on the case of Oyun  Baptist  secondary school ijagbo which was shut down over a hijab controversy.
“It is also expected that other Christian schools in other parts of the state should be allowed the freedom to express their long-standing philosophies of  operation which have contributed immensely to the development of our country”
He said reopening of the school would enable the students to continue with their education and particularly enable the final year students to write their examination
Abisola Oluremi

Lifestyle

There is Life after Prison, Baptist Convention President Tells Inmates

By Web News 659

The President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, Reverend Dr Israel Akanji has urged inmates in Correctional centres not to see their situation as the end of the world but to have hope that they could still be useful to themselves and the society at large.

Reverend Dr Akanji stated this during his visit to inmates at the Agodi Correctional center in Ibadan.

The cleric said the inmates should see their incarceration as a way to remould their life and correct their futures.

Reverend Akanji noted that the Social Ministry of the Nigeria Baptist Convention was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the inmates come out of the correctional facilities as reformed persons. 

Also speaking, the Director of Social Ministry, Reverend Mrs Aderounmu urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the Government in improving the state of Correctional centres across the country.

Some of the inmates pleaded with the Government to improve the infrastructure at the Correctional facility to safeguard the lives of inmates.

Omolola Alamu

Religion

Nigeria Baptist Convention Gets New President

By Web News 2845

A new president for the Nigeria Baptist Convention Rev Israel Akanji has assumed office .
The event which brought together members,friend and family of the church was held at Baptist building, one bola ,Ibadan.
The event also witnessed the assumption into office of the Director of medical and health services for the convention, Prof Emeritus Adewale Akinsola .
Delivering his valedictory message the outgoing president of the Baptist convention who is also the national President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Samson Ayokunle urged the incoming officers to be strong for the assignment before them as the responsibility was enormous especially now that the country needed fervent prayers to overcome her challenges.
Reverend Ayokunle encouraged them to focus on God alone as their strength and walk in his fear and might .
Highlight of the programme was presentation of a big Bible by the outgoing president ,Revd Samson Ayokunle to the new president Revd Israel Akanji .

Responding the newly appointed president of the Nigeria Baptist convention Revd Akanji promised to build on the legacies of his predecessors especially in the areas of education and Evangelism

He also said more schools would be established and the work of Evangelism would be total .

He said a polytechnic would soon be set up to increase the access of Nigeria youths to tertiary education.

The new president also promised to employ the electronic media as tools to strengthen evangelism in line with Jesus commission.

On security, Revd Akanji further urged government to ensure that places of worship, institutions of learning were adequately protected .

He said individuals should be allowed to practice their religion without interference so as to allow peaceful coexistence.

Receiving the new president some members of the Nigeria Baptist convention promised to work hand in hand with Revd Israel Akanji in taking the convention to greater heights.

Revd Israel Adelani Akanji was born on August 16, 1961 in sepeteri ,Saki East local Government area of Oyo State and was the pastor in charge of first Baptist church Garki Abuja until his new appointment.

Abisola Oluremi