A cleric, Prof. Emiola Nihinlola, President, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso, says human capital development is a major solution to the nation’s current challenges.
Nihinlola made the assertions on Monday in Ogbomoso, at a news conference to herald the 61st edition of the NBTS Ministers’ Conference.
The 2021 NBTS Ministers’ Conference with the theme “Leadership is Vision, Service and Sacrifice” is scheduled to hold from Sept.13 to Sept.15.
Nihinlola decried the current security challenges in the country, blaming it on poverty and past leadership failure.
“Everyday life in Nigeria is now characterised by insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, corruption, inflation and poverty,” he said.
Nihinlola said that human capital development in all spheres of Nigerian life, be it secular, religious, education, politics, corporate governance, science and technology, were major solutions to the nation’s current challenges.
He implored leaders across the three tiers of government to take necessary action for the nation to be better for it.
Nihinlola said the conference was being organised annually to renew the spirituality of the gospel ministers and update their academic and professional knowledge.
He said the conference would also sharpen the ministry skills, especially for leadership, communication and counselling and publicise activities of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
“We pray that through this conference, God will renew and reenergise the participants as well as revitalise the Church and the society.
“They will continue in the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out gospel ministries and leadership that will win souls, plant churches, and expand God’s Kingdom,” Nihinlola said.
According to him, such ministries will bless Nigeria to experience spiritual renewal, peaceful coexistence, social harmony, economic buoyancy and political stability.
Nihinlola said that participants would be renewed to offer exemplary and God-fearing leadership needed for the church to develop people and transform society.
The society president said the conference would be held in total adherence to COVID-19 protocols, adding that adequate security had been provided.
“We have made all appropriate and adequate arrangements, safety and security measures, including necessary COVID-19 protocols for face-to-face participants,’’ he said.
NBTS Ogbomoso was established in 1898 by the Southern Baptist Convention of the U.S for Christian education and leadership training.
The seminary was the first tertiary institution to award degree in Nigeria, the Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1948, and the premier Theological institution of the NBC.
