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March 13, 2023 0

2022 ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES

OF THE

DIRECTORATE OF ECUMENISM; INTERFAITH RELATIONS AND SPECIAL DUTIES

By

REV ONIFADE, TESTIMONY OYEWOLE OLUSOJI M. Public Admin; PhD

Preamble

In a statement by Henri Bergson, Change is a reality that every mortal being contends with. Because” to exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating and progressing endlessly.” And the change we dread most may contain our salvation, says Barbara Kingsolver.

We are grateful to God that the ecumenical network and relations have taken progressive dimensions in the Nigerian Baptist Convention within the year 2022. The awareness was dynamic and promising.

OUR STEWARD OF NINE YEARS’ SERVICE IN CAN: Our prominent involvement for nine years brought an indelible landmark to the ecumenical pilgrimage as vice president and president of CAN, under the Immediate past Convention President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle, who completed his term in July 2022. The ecumenical department applauds the incumbent president/CEO for leading the convention family to especially sponsor an appreciation and welcome home service for Dr. Ayokunle in recognition of his service to the Christian community of Nigeria. Apart from Baptist representations at the Abuja send-forth ceremony, a well-attended welcome service with handsome gifts was presented to the man of God. We thank all churches and organizations in attendance. This service attracted national honors conferred on him by the federal government, CON. We commend the Convention Executive, the apex leaders of organizations and departments for their unalloyed support, morally, materially, and financially during the service. The Convention sponsorship to most meetings and her prayer vanguard in diverse groups are noteworthy. We thank God that leadership in CAN during that period witnessed an unprecedented transformation and sustainable restructuring and new investments. This appreciation will be incomplete if I fail to recognize the overwhelming selfless support received from the incumbent President/ CEO of NBC, in providing material and financial resources, moral kindness, unreserved cooperation, and resilience to render selfless services at inconvenient times to CAN leadership throughout, too many to enumerate. Most important, the Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji for our first 3 years in Abuja, on CAN assignment as Vice President/President would deny himself comfort by releasing his only official car then, to convey the CAN President throughout his stay in Abuja.

ECUMENICAL NETWORKS WITHIN THE YEAR

  1. WORLD ECUMENICAL WATER NETWORK CONFERENCE IN SENEGAL. The Nigerian Baptist Convention was well represented at the conference in February 2022
  1. BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE ANNUAL GATHERING HELD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA USA: The Baptist World Alliance annual gathering, Birmingham Alabama, USA held in July 2022. The convention leadership was represented at the meeting.
  2. WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: The World Council of Churches was held in Karlsruhe, Germany in August and September 2022. At this meeting, the Rev Dr. Israel Akanji was elected the Central Committee member of the WCC. At this convention session, we officially congratulate our President.
  3. THE FIRST AFRICA ECUMENICAL YOUTH GATHERING HELD AT KASOA, ACCRA, GHANA IN 2022

The first All Africa Ecumenical Youth Gathering was held between October 31 to November 5, 2022, in Kasoa, Accra Ghana, with the theme “Africa: My Home, My Future”. This was attended by 38 Nations from Africa Continent. Our President, who is the LOC Chairman of the AACC 2023

General Assembly, together with 85 of our Young people represented the denomination (NBC). We thank the President for sponsoring the youths and applaud the youths and students ministries department for the ecumenical collaboration. We covet more of this from other organs of our convention.

  1. Other Ecumenical Activities with CCN: The 31st General Assembly of CCN and also the 60th Anniversary of the CCN was held in Enugu on 22nd – 26th November 2022. We thank our Baptist Leaders, Women Missionary Union, Men Missionary Union, Vice Presidents, and Conference Presidents who attended
    1. DIRECTORATE ACTIVITIES: Under the Directorate, activities of the following divisions have brought tremendous improvements to the Convention peace-building process during the year.
  2. Seminars on advocacy for a corrupt-free society and examination malpractices on campuses were promoted throughout the year by the EDAPI Faith based division.
  3. The Monarchs and Community Development Division report the coronation of seven additional new Christian Monarchs in the Northern and, Eastern Nigeria, Osun, Ogun & Oyo States
  • While our focus on ‘WIN & DISCIPLE A KING, TO TRANSFORM A WHOLE COMMUNITY’ remain uncompromised. The testimony of God’s goodness abounds in this fellowship all the time. We commend the cooperation of our national Chairman His royal majesty the Onpetu of Ijeru, Ogbomoso land, for promoting holiness, and eternal salvation in the fellowship. Kindly intercede for our traditional rulers for their responsibilities are enormous.
  1. The Public and Political Network Division: is grateful to all our partners (Bowen University, Iwo, the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, the Advisory board members, the WMU, MMU, Student &Youth ministries, the CED, Social and Medical departments, our ecumenical partners at national and international levels for their encouraging gestures on this project’ The rate at which our political education drives were embraced online and physically was encouraging. We commend all our conference presidents for being part of the advocacy for political transformation in our nation. We thank our theological institutions for their cooperation with the department. Seminars on advocacy for corrupt-free society and war against examination malpractices on campuses were promoted throughout the year.
  2. EDAPI Faith-Based Division: The Intervention engagements of this Faith-Based (EDAPI) Division were strengthened in
  3. Advocacy for Overcoming the Trap of Human Trafficking. EDAPI in collaboration with MeCAHT from the UK; and EXIST NGO from Denmark engaged in partnership Conferences throughout the year.
  4. The Programme Coordinator of EDAPI was appointed a Board member of the MeCAHT – a UK-based NGO Board of Trustees. EDAPI, SOH EXIST, and MeCAHT working relationships and interface are ongoing. Most especially, on a joint project of MANUAL on HOW TO PUT AN END TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
  5. GENERAL CHAPLAINCY ORIENTATION / COUNSELING- CORRECTION DIVISION

The increasing rate of unemployed Pastors is posing threat to the security of the serving ministers as well.

The Directorate is resolute in promoting awareness of the Values of General Chaplaincy short-term training for the trained clergy as a way to combat the increasing rate of unemployed Seminary graduates. More achievement is recorded on this among the interested pastors. The directorate embarked on General Chaplaincy short-term orientation for any trained pastor who has the call for this specialized ministry during the year. The chaplaincy manual and curriculum writing on this are almost completed with the assistance of the academics in our institution. I wish to implore the services of the Pastors’ Conference to embrace this and promote it. For more pastoral counsel from Ecumenical Department. Please call the Director on +2348033447876

  1. MEDIA, RESEARCH AND DATABASE UNIT: this unit is saddled with the responsibility of social media works and collation of data on statistics of Baptist monarchs, Baptist religious leaders involve in ecumenical relations at each point, and post-election political office holders.
  • CHALLENGES OF ABDUCTION AND OUR ECUMENICAL RESPONSE:

We are glad that the Kaduna Baptist High School Students have regained their freedom, except for one who on his own decision to stay back.

  • OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE ON SECURITY, TRAUMA HEALING, AND FOOD SECURITY: IN 2023,

The faith-based unit work so hard on it and will continue in securing assistance to mitigate in this crisis. We thank the ICS Jos for collaboration with EDAPI. To all Churches and our institutions invite EDAPI to equip the members through Trauma Healing and on Church Strategic Security Workshop. These will be our major focus for PEACE EDUCATION& PEACE BUILDING in 2023. God’s willing.

  • FOOD SECURITY DAY: The CCN Director of the Institute of Church and Society led the promotion of Food Security Day in 2022. Awareness of Food security emphasis is neither for the distribution of food items nor for sharing relief materials with the masses. It is a workshop on how to prevent famine amid incessant farmers’/ herder’s attacks. Global research revealed that the quantity of food crops harvested per year in Africa (Nigeria to be precise) is far lower than the population growth rate the slogan is “GROW WHAT YOU EAT; EAT WHAT YOU GROW” The concern of WCC is to mobilize Church members into farming and prevent hunger in the land. More Workshops will be organized in our local churches, Associations, and Conferences on this emphasis continually. The Directorate of ECUMENISM urges Conferences/ Organization Leaders to invite us for collaboration. We commend the presence of a few of our Conference Presidents

Our department will be willing to provide trusted and competent resource Persons.

  1. CLIMATE CHANGE: its disaster was attended to the NBC due to its drastic effect on humanity. The President, Rev Dr. Israel Akanji’s proactive response to the flood crisis that ravaged some of our churches and families in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and a few other states in northern Nigeria reported to the president. Conferences well appreciated.
  2. INSECURITY: The Directorate commends the courageous pastoral care and passion of our President as he responds to Churches and individuals affected. In conclusion; synergized and consultative meetings for security consciousness and humanitarian needs will be given priority in our sensitization for the New Year. Find on our website a joint proposal with CAN for Nigeria Post 2023.
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October 15, 2018 0

ECUMENISM FOR DEVELOPMENT & PEACE INITIATIVE (EDAPI) is the project or brain child of the directorate of ecumenism of the Nigeria Baptist Convention under the leadership of His eminence Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle. Edapi is an interdenominational organization and it’s been established to build Inter-faith relationships. Edapi was registered as an NGO with the Corporate Affairs Commission at FGN-CAC/IT/Number 96590 of 2017 in Nigeria

Edapi as an NGO has been established so the Nigerian Baptist Convention can be fully involved in impacting the lives of the people not just spiritually but economically, socially and politically; to earnestly transform the lives of the people through education by organising developments and empowerment programmes, seminars, conferences, workshops etc. Edapi in partnerships with the Bowen University, Iwo and Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, organised a National Civil Leadership Summit themed “Transformational Leadership” from July 24th – July 26th which was held at Bowen University. Several other summits would be coming up from time to time to prepare the people and arm them with the necessary tools to be successful in leadership positions.

VISION

Becoming a foremost godly organization protecting the interests of the disadvantaged for the actualization of their full potential.

MISSION STATEMENT

To improve the well-being and rights of the masses through equipping, peace building, discipline and networking without any form of discrimination.

CORE VALUES (ETACEPS)

  • Equity and Justice
  • Team Work
  • Accountability
  • Commitment
  • Effective Communication
  • Peace Building
  • Service to Humanity

OBJECTIVES

  • Sensitize and equip the grassroots religious actors towards achieving peace and developments.
  • Mobilise and create strategic drive to strengthen alliance against violence extremism across age groups; youths in particular and community/religious leaders as a whole.
  • Facilitate peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship through synergy and dialogue.
  • To strengthen and assist the needy and less privileged in our society.
  • To network with and to cooperate with other development partners in order to engender sustainable development.

EDAPI CAMPAIGNS

The campaigns of EDAPI is to help build the society by eradicating the ills and providing solutions to the challenges or problems in the society by empowering the people, building Inter-faith relationships, community mobilization, peace work, reconciliation, Research, etc. amongst other things. The campaigns of EDAPI are listed below.

  • Civil Leadership Training Summit: The goal of this is to be a world class civil center by organizing civil leadership Summit all over the regions of Nigeria and beyond. Currently the summits are categorised thus: National Civil Leadership Summit, National Youth Civil Leadership Summit, and Civil Leadership Summit for Grassroots etc.
  • Food Security Project:  To create an enabling environment that may facilitate secured and healthy relationship between the community, farmers, and investors, networking, toward promoting agricultural and food security.
  • Youth Development and Empowerment: The challenges facing the youths and women in this nation is at an alarming rate which is also affecting the church. EDAPI will be empowering the youths and women in this country through skills acquisition, ICT development and trainings, entrepreneurship trainings and Graduate Assisted Project (GAP)
  • Monarchs Empowerment Ministry: It’s been rightly observed that there’s need to empower the monarchs due to the peculiar challenges they are faced with in this contemporary time and EDAPI has thought it well meet this needs by establishing a ministry for all the Traditional Rulers which would be both Intra & interfaith programmes. A programme under this ministry is “Interfaith Monarchs for Peace and Security Initiative”.
  • Community Service and Rural Developments: We live within a community and there is need to contribute to the growth and development of the community. Essentially EDAPI seeks to focus on the development of the rural areas socially, economically and in other areas in the future. EDAPI hopes to provide potable water project, ecological stewardship, empowering farmers, artisans, etc., agro business (trainings, partnership and loans), and climate change (environmental pollution reduction, etc.).
  • Advocacy on National and Social Concerns: EDAPI fights for human rights, ensures Justice and peace reigns, tackles unemployment, supports orphanages, supports the IDPs, etc.
  • Chaplaincy Training and Services: We need to train and equip Baptist pastors inconjuction with our theological schools to serve in schools and colleges, armed forces and paramilitary forces, chapels etc.
  • Gerontology Ministry: Retirement or clocking 70 years doesn’t mean one cannot make meaningful contribution. Dreams can still be achieved at 70 as there’s plenty to live for.  This ministry is to help the elders or the aged in fulfilling destiny even at old age. The programme under this is “Retirees’ millennium age summit” which will be organised from time to time. Life continues at 70.
  • Political Education Seminar and Election Integrity: The situation in the country has created a need for Christian involvement in the political space of this nation Nigeria. EDAPI plans to organise political education seminar and Election Integrity campaigns to equip and encourage Christian participation in the politics of Nigeria.
  • Networking: EDAPI will create a networking platform for people of different faiths and beliefs to come together and work for a common goal which is to maintain peace and unity in the nation. EDAPI is also open to partnerships with relevant organizations, NGOs in achieving the set goals.
  • Research and Data Base: EDAPI will be promoting and sponsoring academic research in different fields like medical, engineering, theology, education, etc.
  • Trauma Relief Training Programs: Many people are living in agony due to negative experiences at a point in their lives and are afraid to speak out of fear of stigmatization. Traumas as a result of rape, domestic violence, natural disasters, severe illness or injury, death of a loved one, etc.

Edapi is currently partnering with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Bowen University, Iwo (BUI), Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Youths off the Street Initiative and Juhst-Intents International. Edapi is also discussing with several other partners in other to meet the needs of the people.

Conclusively, we are pleased that Edapi has come to stay and to impact lives. We are very much open to partnerships with any organization that have similar goals with ours and are ready to work with us in alleviating poverty, youth empowerment, peace initiatives, bridging the divides across religious lines etc.

Article by Omolola O. Oyinlola