The Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (WCCRM) has been enjoined to pray for the growth of the church, nation and the universities. WCCRM, whose members including teaching and non-teaching staff of the institutions of higher learning, is to form a formidable coalition of Christian Higher Institution Staff to provide spiritual and academic support for themselves and their students, thereby promoting godliness, diatribe negative tendencies in the institutions and platforms for resourceful mentorship.

The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe made the call while receiving members of the movement who paid him a courtesy visit during their second yearly/2023 international conference held in the university.

Iwe, who is the chief host, said that MOUAU would support spiritual, religious, educational and national growth, adding that universities currently operate under stringent and despondent conditions with God miraculously working for them.

According to him, “the church needs to hold fast to God and rise above its present level, pray for the nation, say no to corruption and unrighteousness in the campuses.”

Explaining the objectives of the movement, its chairman, Dr. Johnbosco Umunnakwe said that they mentor their members during the early stages of their career so that they can complete their higher degrees at the appropriate time.

According to Umunnakwe, the group assists its members to faithfully fulfill the demands of their positions as well as encourage and support them to seek positions of authority in higher institutions and in the society.

Speaking on the theme of the conference titled: “Leveraging Various Academic Disciplines for Sustainable Church and Educational Development,” Prof. Adegbenro Henry Akinmutimi, a professor of animal nutrition and biochemistry at MOUAU, said that leveraging the various academic disciplines for sustainable church and educational development is both timely and relevant in today’s dynamic world.

He noted that the complex challenges faced by churches and educational institutions, scholars and practitioners have begun to recognise the need to integrate knowledge and expertise from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).