The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has given nod to the invitation asking him to be the guest speaker at the 30th/31st convocation of the West Africa Theological Seminary, Ipaja, Lagos
The Director of the school’s administration, Dr. Tosin Awolalu made this now in a statement.
Governors of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu are also expected at the event which holds on September 11 at the school’s premises at Ipaja, Lagos.
Senator Omo-Agege will be addressing the topic: Global Mission, Global Vision: Agenda for Excellence in Leadership through Theological Education.
WATS is one of the oldest non-denominational Seminaries in Nigeria was founded by Prof. Gary Maxey (an American), in collaboration with some eminent Nigerian church leaders in 1989. It has produced thousands of graduates in Theological and Leadership education over the years.
Awolalu informed in the statement that this year’s Convocation is unique in many respects. According to him, the convocation is to graduate two sets of students 2020/2021 graduands because the school could not hold that of last year due to Covid-19. A total of two hundred and two (202) graduands are expected to convocate in the combined ceremony, including thirteen (13) at the Doctor of Ministry level.
Provost of the institution, Pastor Oluwafemi Martins according to the statement said the choice of Senator Omo-Agege is deliberate, “it is in fulfillment of the third focus of the Seminary’s Mission Statement that of “…catalyzing national spiritual awakening”.
The statement noted that “the aim of WATS is to create a synergy between spiritual leadership and secular leadership. It is obvious that the paucity of right theological education which negates church influence on national discourse is part of the reason why many political leaders are not getting it right in governance”.
While not preempting the presentation of Senator Omo-Agege, the statement expressed hope that the lecture will help the seminary create a template that will be useful for those exercising political authority “to pursue excellence in Leadership for the good of our nation”.