By Wilson Adekumola
Christian Schools Aid Network International, a new umbrella body for Christian Schools in Nigeria has been inaugurated in Lagos at a one-day Professional Educational Development workshop held on July 19, 2018. At the training and inaugural event, Lagos chapter of the body was inaugurated by the National Coordinator/Convener (CSNI), Pastor Nnamnso Okorie with Rev Dr. Sunday Atta as Lagos State Coordinator, Rev. Suji Adebowale, Secretary; Rev. Mrs. Patricia Ebenua, Treasurer and Apostle Femi Agbebaku as Public Relations Officer.
Christian School Aid Network International (CSNI) is an interdenominational network of all schools or school owned by individual Christians, churches or Christian organizations. It is a non-profit governmental and non-profit organization aimed at promoting godly education through periodic trainings and professional development workshops by leading resource persons.
CSNI is a new body in Nigeria with international affiliation formed to encourage and promote high standards and academic excellence with godly values amongst Christian Schools across Nigeria.
The body membership comprises of Proprietors, School Owners, Educators, Managers Teachers/Parents and Stakeholders in the Education sector.
According to the National Coordinator/ Convener, Pastor Nnamnso Okorie said the group’s vision is to empower, promote and develop all Christian Schools with godly educational values. He said he believes the word of GOD should be the bedrock of education – Bible as the only inspired and authoritative word of God and so education in Christian Schools should recognise this. ‘’We must be able to raise future generation of Nigerians in godly ways’’, he said
Christian Schools Aid Network International aims to serve as avenue to promote Christian values; acts as vanguard for the defence of Christian Schools; encourage member Schools to meet governments accreditation requirements; periodically train and expose members to latest discoveries aimed at enhancing their outputs as well as mentorship opportunities; share innovative and productive ideas/techniques among Christian Schools; to instil discipline, integrity, hard work, transparency and godliness in Christian Schools as well as acting as an accredited body for Christian Schools with high quality and moral standards; to become a financing platform as well as guarantor for funds accessibility.
At the well-attended training workshop, Adekogbe Dideolu, Lead Consultant, Flourish-Gate Consult delivered a paper on, ‘’Discovering the Top Secrets of High Performing Schools’’. She said leading schools today pride themselves in pursuing high academic practices. “As Christians with the Spirit of excellence in us, Christian Schools must take the leading role of raising and nurturing godly generation’’ She delivered various nuggets to participants on how to be at their best as a top performing school on Nigeria that’s bedevilled with much decadence. She noted that most of the reckless politicians we complain about today are products of some schools.
Only if they got good godly upbringing that the change can be effected. She enjoined members to brace up and be alive to their responsibilities in bringing about qualitative and affordable godly education in Nigeria. She frowned at Christian schools where fees are becoming astronomical and advised that their services should be accessible to less fortunate of our society.”
Coordinators from southern and western states were in attendance. So far over 200 schools have registered as members before the Lagos inauguration. Other state chapters of the body will be inaugurated in the months ahead.