NCGF ABA 2023: Communique

PREAMBLE

The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF), a trans-denominational Faith Based Organization of Christian intellectuals founded in 1975, has the divine mandate to positively influence all the spheres of the Nigerian society with the values of righteousness, integrity and excellence.

The NCGF held its 48th Annual National Conference/AGM together with the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Africa Vision Tract House Society (AVTHS), the missionary arm of the Fellowship. The Conference theme, Be Ye Transformed (Romans 12:1-3), was interrogated by seasoned personalities from various walks of life as resource persons, including Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Nnannya Oti, Vice Chancellor Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Prof. Emmanuel Victor Osodeke, National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Both served as Keynote Speakers of the Conference.

The Conference attracted well-known ministers of the gospel from all over the federation, with speakers such as Apostle Dr. David Onuoha of Abia State University, Uturu; Dr. Ben Dike, an ex-banker and minister of the gospel; Dr Steve Ogan, among others. The speakers who expounded on the theme of the Conference from social, spiritual, and physical angles relevant to the church and the Nigerian nation, agreed with other conferees, that individual transformation is the fulcrum of national transformation, and called on the participants to embrace personal transformation for the urgently needed national transformation.

The speakers declared by faith that a new Nigeria has emerged where justice and equity reign, and they called on Nigerians to embrace that new nation through individual transformation.

The conference featured worship sessions, seminars, Bible studies, and symposia on democracy and good governance as well as an education summit.

OBSERVATIONS

1. Nigeria is greatly blessed with natural and human resources, and with brilliant citizens who easily distinguish themselves and out-perform their peers the world over.
2. During the colonial era, the missionaries made a huge impact on development through free and affordable education, but disappointingly the present day privately-owned institutions are driven by market forces as reflected in their exorbitant charges, which cannot be afforded by ordinary citizens.
3. Faith-based institutions have a great stake in the character formation of Nigerian students, but their number of intakes accounts for less than 2% of the total admissible candidates.
4. The high level of exodus
   of high-quality Nigerian graduates to other countries in search of greener pastures due to poor reward for academic excellence, and unemployment, among other factors, have negatively affected human capital development in the nation.
5. There are gross inequalities in the Nigerian society, particularly a situation where a University Professor would receive approximately #400,000 as monthly salary, while a Senator, whosemamounts of money in salary and allowances.
6. Universities are established as “constituency projects,” leading to the proliferation of tertiary institutions without commensurate funding.
7. An attempt is being made by the Western world to invade and corrupt, especially the Nigerian primary and secondary education system, with the LGBTQ + propaganda, through the connivance of some Nigerian leaders in this iniquitous act.
8. The enthusiasm demonstrated by Nigerians, particularly youths, in the 2023 general elections despite the irregularities that marred the electoral process, is commendable.
9. The insecurity of life and property, the decimation of rural communities in parts of the country and the growing hostilities between ECOWAS/Nigeria — Niger are matters of grave concern.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Federal and State governments in Nigeria should take education, particularly tertiary education, more seriously, working with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to transform all Nigerian universities into globally recognised centres of excellence in the various fields. The process should be kick-started by paying university lecturers all the emoluments owed, in the interest of peace and progress in the academia.
2. The Ministry of Education at both Federal and State levels, and education planners in Nigeria should be wary of any attempts to infiltrate the curriculum, while protecting and preserving the religious and cultural values of all Nigerians, as well as the rights of present and future generations.
3. The Nigerian Judiciary, as the last hope of the citizens, should dispense justice without fear or favour in the pending litigations in the various election tribunals, to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process.

4.. The church must not only bank on prayer but must also be strategic, as well as strongly engage the Holy Spirit in order to make maximum national impact.

5. The Honourable Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) need to be supported by constant prayer for God’s inspiration, protection, and courage to dispense justice without fear or favour in the pending electoral disputes.
6. The Federal Government of Nigeria should spare no effort in ensuring that the vulnerable are protected; kidnappings and insurgency are brought under control, and a diplomatic solution is found to the mounting tensions between sister states in the West African sub-region

CONCLUSION

The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship strongly believes that the insights exchanged, the observations noted, and the recommendations made during the 48th NCGF have the potential to ignite a positive transformation within the Nigerian society, beginning with the individual.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Long live the NCGF

Prof. Chuks Eboka
National President NCGF

Pst. Peter A. Adebayo
National Secretary NCGF