Steady Rise Of Baptist College Of Theology, Oyo
‘We Focus On Breeding Strong Character, Academic Excellence’ – Prof Esther Ayandokun, Rector
In the ecclesiastical, Baptist College of Theology, Oyo in Oyo State, stands tall. This much had been attested to by its Rector, Prof. Esther Oluwafunmilayo. She said, in a chat with The Issues, that the college is known for no other thing than academic excellence with global rating and standards. Professor Ayandokun in the no holds barred chat with our correspondent, revealed that her involvement with theological education dates back to over two decades. “I have been involved in theological education for over 20 years and I have been exposed to all areas of theological education, being the Rector of the institution. “In theological education, we focus on academic excellence because the seminary is an academic institution; we are looking forward to running higher degree programs in the nearest future,” she enthused. Reeling out the achievements of the foremost seminary institution, Prof Ayandokun explained that within the short period, “we have been able to produce five publications and I must commend those that have contributed to the publishing material”. She added, ”Just like any other organization, for the theological institution to survive, it is seriously in need of financial support, though the COVID-19 outbreak affected the cash flow into the institution with the support of some churches and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the seminary still has a lot to celebrate.” She gave special thanks to God and people like Dr. Supo Ayokunle, Dr. Akanji, among other leaders. Speaking on the progress the school has made in recent times, the Rector stressed: “I want to thank God, because of what He alone is doing since I took over the leadership of the school. “When I came on board, I met two major uncompleted projects. At the entrance of the school, we have one old building that we call Pinnock house which was built by a long-time missionary but was already old and dilapidated. It was under renovation when I took over, so I ensured its completion and this project alone gulped over N7m.
"There is also this women training center under construction when I came on board but had since been completed despite requiring so many financial resources. The construction of the Chapel too being financed by a couple and said to have been started around 2017 has been completed. “This project was still very far from being completed when I became the Rector. The donors were said to have promised to get it completed within two years but this wasn't the case so, we were coming there to pray for the couple and the successful completion of the project, and less than a year God did it, it was completed. "Another good thing that also happened was that the Alumni renovated the school's main entrance for us, so everything just happened at the time that I came. I was even jokingly telling them that the Queen has come and so everywhere has turned to palace. You know there are times that there is power in a name, when people meet me and congratulate me, I quickly tell them to appreciate the alumni for us. God has been faithful". Prof Ayandokun explained further that the spiritual development of the students of the school is of utmost importance, noting, "and as such the seminary has a lot of programs that we have so designed to help us fortify our students such as Bible studies, spiritual retreat, among others.”
The cleric cum theologian also revealed that at the Baptist College of Theology, students are also divided into seven prayer groups in a determined effort to boost the spiritual capacity of students and staff. "We equally run many online programs for those that could not be present at the school physically, who are probably outside the country. "All our courses have been accredited and our lecturers are quite dedicated, you will be glad you have something doing with our school." Speaking on further plans for the institution, Prof Ayandokun disclosed that, "though the school for now only runs degree programs, I am looking forward to a time that we will start postgraduate programs, such as Master of Divinity, full Master's programs. She nonetheless observed that the college could not do without additional structures. "So we need sponsors for additional academic complex, full ICT Centre, new clinical facility. In the next 5 years, we are believing God for that ICT Centre and the completion of all other projects". Speaking on things that stand out the school from others, the Rector said, "We are so unique! We are the first indigenous pastor school in Nigeria. This school was founded to cater to the suburbs churches. I mean like a full Yoruba-speaking school. And that is the reason it was known as Joint Pastors School when it started. "It is owned by about 13 conferences of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. And we have enjoyed massive support from those conferences. We have produced several great men of God. One thing that people respect us for is the combination of academic excellence with spirituality. Also in mission work, we are respected for it. "Our students have an indigenous group that they are using to evangelize our area. Then talking about sports, we are number one. Yes, we have a cordial relationship with the seminary, work together to ensure quality education for our pastors in training. Asked what she would like to be remembered for, Prof Ayandokun said, "I will love to be remembered as a woman who loved God, as a leader who is fair to everyone, as a leader who is not selfish, who served credibly well. "I will love to be remembered for faithfulness and finally, I will love to be remembered for adding value to this school. Beaming with smiles in the hue of gratitude and appreciation to the Almighty, Professor Ayandokun, said, "Also, I will like to appreciate our sponsors, starting from the Nigerian Baptist Convention, conferences, management team, our board governor, our host conferences, and everyone".
- We Have Improved On Capacity Building – Deputy Rector, Helen
The Deputy Rector of the College, Rev. Dr. Helen Oyekanmi, while speaking on the roll-call of the school’s achievements, said, “I came here as a lecturer in the year 2000, the school was at diploma level, in the year 2006 we had our first set of degree graduates from college and the college had since then been improving, our teachers and students are teachable, our College has always been progressives because of the progressives minds of its leadership. “We have improved through the college capacity, we are dynamic when it comes to spirituality and academics issues; we have various complexes where the people can sell things, we served the college and the community; they’re certain things that we’ve improved on, we have various academics associations, we are helping churches to manage their affairs. In the nearest future, we should have a post-graduate diploma in the College”.
- Every Institution Has Own Historical Lines, Says Okunlola, Registrar
The registrar of the school, Mr. Olusegun Okunlola, while giving his perspective disclosed that from inception, the college must have graduated over 3,000 students making waves for God across the globe. Mr. Okunlola revealed further that every institution has its historical lines and as such the curriculum of the school has been so designed in such a way to minister to people practically in different methods saying “we have a lot of publications going out, many of our students have been trained, we are improving on our curriculum as well as everything that will make our ambiance looks more conducive for learning He said, “In our institution, this is the first time of having a female head, the current Rector has been so hardworking and her capacity for quality human relations has been very huge, she is an excellent performer by every length.” Mr. Okunlola also talked about the importance of registry to an institution saying, “talking about the registry, it is an administrative hall for any tertiary institutions in the country, many things involved the registry, they’re many officers that are reporting to the registrar being the chief registrar who is in charge of everything that has to do with the board and all correspondences”.
- Theology, A True Study Of God, Says Jonathan Olusola
The Head of Theology Department in the school, Dr. Jonathan Olusola in his submission stated that the seminary would not rest on its oars until its better become best. Dr. Olusola said, “our department is doing fine; what theology is saying is the study of God, our language is modeled to describe God, God is higher than us; our college started well, we thank God for having our Rector who is a conventional leader, we are very lucky to have her, she is dynamic and highly resourceful, a goal-getter and lover of God and our prayer is that the good Lord will continue to strengthen her and of course to succeed the more”.
- On Spirituality, God Our Help – Jesuloye Temitope
Rev. Mrs. Jesuloye Temitope, Chaplain and Acting Head of Religious Education, in her reaction, said, “The Lord has been helping us in the area of the spiritual life of the College, we have our regular prayer sessions and radio stations to speak about the spiritual activities, we converge at the hall for Bible study, on Wednesdays, we have our discipleship programs, we have prepared ourselves individually; we have proposed to have another session in our next admission, we need to establish a class for the children, we also issued out certificates to the participants of our programs, also we have street evangelism which is a good time for our students to reach out to the people in society.”
- We’ll Soon Digitalize Of Library Aerfaa
Mr. Michael Aerfaa, the Senior Librarian of the College in his submission said, “Our library is updated because we have current books which are up to date, the volumes of the library are about 15,000 and this is up to standard; we are on the process to digitalize our library and before the year runs out, we shall start its processing. “Our standard is currently on 50% because we still have a long way to go, better digital amenities are still coming our way”.
- We’re Full Of Gratitude To The Almighty – College Bursar, Olamoyegun
Rev Joshua Joye Olamoyegun, Bursar, Baptist College of Theology, Oyo has declared that the college enjoyed the goodness of God through the Nigerian Baptist Convention. According to him, “We are grateful to God on behalf of the Nigerian Baptist Convention with regular financial support regularly, our students’ fees can’t even be met up with the payments of our staff but we have been encouraged by the patronage of our students and the other contributors particularly some churches that are giving us supports are well encouraging. “Recently, we had some personal contributions from some families, such supports is highly welcome and appreciated, we are presently soliciting assistance for many ongoing projects in the college such as buildings for our students among others; we are a partner in progress, if this administration succeeds, then we are have all succeeded”.
- Our Students Epitomise Decency – Promise Arinse
Rev. Promise Arinse Godwin, Director of Students’ Affairs of the college said “our college students are like typical pictures of what you will find in a family, in a general sense, the good things you can find in our students in fairness to them, they’re doing very good. As for the records of the current administration, when the lecture resumed, our Rector makes sure that the student’s welfare is paramount to us here. “College can’t do everything for people, some of the students are struggling with a financial issue and this is seriously affecting and distracting their concentration in the college. I am using this opportunity to call on those that God has blessed to help support these students, they should also support our incumbent Rector in his determined bid to leave the college far better than she met it”.
- Our Present, Future, According To Simeon Kehinde
Rev. Dr. Simeon Folorunsho Kehinde, Chairman, Langham Preaching Initiative of the college has this to say “We have our past, present and we’re trying to look at the future, I thank God because over the years the school has changed from what people use to say, the school as at then was known for low level, we thank God that the perspective has changed, we have increased and new perspective of the institution has been created. In the next five years, this school must be proud of all of us, our educational method has been increased, academically we are progressing”.
- In Excellence, We March On, Says Rev Elizabeth Bolaji
The Dean of Academic Affairs of the Baptist College, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Bolaji had this to say, “We did courses that run during the weekdays including the weekend programs, we coordinate our students who run BA program with Bowen University at Iwo, our curriculum has accreditation and we’re trying to incorporate many other novel things, we equally have a department for pastors’ wives too. “Our academic is excellently moving on, our library studies, the classroom works, accessing the lecturers’ performances; We remain resolute to make this college world-class in no distant future by the grace of God. Our Rector is doing a fantastic job and we shall all continue to drum further support for her”.
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