By Cosmas Omegoh
The Archbishop of the Catholic Metropolitan See of Lagos Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins has approved the Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Institute (LACCI) to run courses in discipleship, ministry, leadership formation evangelisation and entrepreneurship skill development.
Speaking at the matriculation of 56 students at of the institute at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ire-Akari Estate Isolo Lagos, Martins who was represented by the Lagos Archdiocesan Chancellor, Monsignor Anthony Obanla, said: “LACCI intuition was birthed at the time the church needed it most, for transformation, true disciples, leaders, ministers who can make themselves available and move forward to transform the society and move the nation forward.”
He encouraged the students to be serious with their studies and ensure they become like the master who was going about doing good and propagating the gospel of our lord.
He further, thanked the Archdiocesan Service Communion (ASC) of the Charismatic Renewal for the wonderful initiative and congratulated the pioneer students for their courage.
In a matriculation lecture, with the theme:
“Discipleship: Instrument for personal and societal transformation,” Professor (Mrs.) Kate Ezenwanebe, Head of Creative Arts, and University of Lagos, defined discipleship as “a process of becoming like the master.” She said that a disciple is known for his/her obedience to the master and authorities. She urged the pioneer students to be true disciples, and let them understand that discipleship is all about principle of self spiritual mortification and pruning, adding that discipleship and leadership bring about personal transformation.
LACCI’s Director of the Studies, Mrs. Kate Igwe said the institute is also entrepreneurship inclined, noting that it is a place of self-discovery and transformation, while pleading with the government to prioritise education in the country, adding that LACCI was in affiliation with Augustine University, Epe and other universities around the country.
LACCI board chairman, Mr Ben Ibeh, said the institute was desirous of impacting formidable principles of true discipleship, ministry, and leadership in Catholics in general and members of the CCRN in particular.
CCRN’s Archdiocesan Service Commission Mr Uche Anyanwu thanked God and the board members for working hard day and night to see that this institution became a reality, describing CCRN as one of the fastest growing and most populated lay movements in the Catholic Church. He said the LACCI vision is to make disciples of all nations, raise transformed leaders to influence and lead transformation in the society, adding that LACCI is open for all persons who have the hunger to be transformed as leaders, entrepreneurs, disciples, and ministers.