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UEC holds 11th graduation and 22nd anniversary of William Wheatley Theological College

By Rev. Okwudire Dike Ukaegbu
18 November 2018   |   4:02 am
Saturday, November 3, 2018, went into the annals of history as The William Wheatley Theological College (WWTC), Azuiyi Oloko in Oloko Superintendency also in Oloko Area Conference...

Saturday, November 3, 2018, went into the annals of history as The William Wheatley Theological College (WWTC), Azuiyi Oloko in Oloko Superintendency also in Oloko Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church (founded as Qua Iboe Church), Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State had its 11th graduation and 22nd anniversary of the college. In a presentation made by Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Religious Matters, Revd. Daniel Akwatang, titled: “Theological Education a panacea for moral decadence in the society,” he described the presentation as timely and apt considering the kind of society we find ourselves today. He said a critical look at the society and signs of time easily suggests a gradual disappearance of the time-tested values. He said: ‘Everybody is mourning and grieving about the rate of moral decadence in our generation. The Bible calls it, ‘The perilous times and a wicked generation.’ According to him, moral decadence is a flight or disappearance of moral virtues and values, the corruption of moral consciousness and the departure of faith and reason. A moral decadent society upholds the philosophy of ‘anything goes’ that is the society we find ourselves, a society that is short of models and good examples.

“Today societal decadence has graduated from vilification of elders, cultism, smoking, drinking of alcohol, examination malpractices and truancy to kidnapping, internet fraud, high tension corruption and other forms of societal vices that paint a picture of a society that has completely derailed from the path of honour and uprightness.”

In Order To Cure The Rising Spate Of Moral Decadence
• Theological education when ingrained in general teaching and learning enables young people to understand the world through the perspective of God’s truth as the thrust and objectives of theological education are to tell, teach and learn God’s grand story to the whole world. Theological schooling will produce a generation that is highly principled and transformed in character.

• Theological education will ensure that every child is led to Christ, counselled and given a direction in godliness.

The College Provost, Revd. E.A. Idachaba in his remarks pointed clearly that William Wheatley Theological College, Azuiyi Oloko is one of the institutions owned by The United Evangelical Church, which was founded as Qua Iboe Church. It was established in 1996 purposely to bring Theological Education closer to the people, leading to the improvement of the quality of pastors and churches over the years.

While congratulating the 55 graduating students, the chairman Governing Council of the College, Elder (Prof.) Udo Herbert, urged the graduands to continue to be ambassadors for Christ and to the William Wheatley Theological College improving in communication skills, management of men and materials as well as mastery of the word of God. He implored the public to think WWTC in their theological education because of their sound doctrine, balanced teaching of the word of God and their serene environment.

The Revd. Samuel Ebukiba, the Chairman of Conference United Evangelical Church in his remarks, gave a word of appreciation to Mission Africa for their finance, support and capacity building in the college and others who on one way or the other contributed to the development of the college [WWTC]. He also reminded the graduating pastors that they are bonafide alumni of the college and from henceforth must subscribe to raising the standard of the institution. He implored everyone to support the Governing Council and staff of the college to meet the necessary conditions for a proper affiliation to a university institution. He further reminded the graduating pastors that they are expected to apply their learning to their offices and private lives.”Your pulpit, organisation, church activities, relationship with members of your congregation and society should practically demonstrate what you have learnt in the college.” His two points agenda to make success, which included [a] Vigorous evangelistic outreach using the print and electronic media and [b]Re-branding The United Evangelical Church to reposition her in the ecumenical community and society in general were not left out.

Chairman of the occasion, Eld. [Hon. Justice] C.C. Nwogwugwu also in attendance was the National Chairman of Conference United Evangelical Church; Revd. S.U. Ebukiba, the acting Secretary of Conference, Elder (Engr.) E.S. Andrew Essien; Elder Prof. Udo Herbert; Revd. Daniel Akwatang, (Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State governor); Okereke C.C. Ph.D., Revd. J.N. Ajuzie, Chairman Umuaro Area Conference; Revd. O.D. Ukaegbu, Chairman Oloko Area Conference, Revd. J.A. Ogbonna, Chairman, Ogwe Autonomous Area Conference, Professor Taylor and a host of others.

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