From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
The Provost of the ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja, Kwara State, John Olu Adetoyese, at the weekend  charged the graduating students of the institution not to be carried away with material things of life and forget their true calling.
Dr Adetoyese gave the advice while congratulating the graduating students on the 58th graduation ceremony of the institution.
He charged the over  three hundred and sixteen graduating (318) students, from various courses, to guard what has been entrusted in their care by turning away from godless chatter and opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.
“Virtues and biblical treasures that have been committed into your hands need to be guarded jealously. Do not trade the biblical truth for the mundane pleasure of this world.
“the first parameter to measure your spirituality is not your spiritual gift but your good character”
Speaking on the achievements the institution recorded in the last one year, the Provost said “despite the dire financial situation in which we currently find ourselves in the nation, with inflation at its highest, God has enabled us to record some achievements such as installing solar power system, our poultry farm is growing and the ongoing renovation of the auditorium.
On academic achievements “We have been committed to making valuable impacts in the lives of the students and the majority of our students are greatly doing well in their ministry assignments. We have also adopted well organized, contemporary and impactful curriculum for all programmes from undergraduate to doctoral level accredited by ACTEA”.
The provost disclosed that the institution as part of efforts to take its prime positions as foremost Theological institution in Nigeria, Africa and the World will be commencing PhD programmes soon, stating that Post Graduate Diploma in Theological (PGDTH) is  now available online.
He also made known that 70 percent of the graduands of the ECWA College of Education have already secured employment with government and private institutions with many also secured admission for further studies in Universities.
Soeaking, the chairman Governing council of the institution, Elder Ayobola Samuel, expresses gratitude to the institution’s Executive for giving him and other members of the board another chance of three years.
He congratulated the graduating students and charged them to be part of the game changer that would transform the country for better.
“We pray for you not to go and be part of the problem but be part of the game changer that will transform the land. He who has called you can not fail and you shall not fail in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The chairman governing council also appreciated all who reached out to the institution during the last windstorm that wreaked havoc on the school facilities.
Said “I am pleased to inform you that we got some response from some quarters plus the little resources at our disposal which we used to fix the most urgent ones, but what we got was far  cry from our needs. All the same we are very grateful.
“We are also using this opportunity to call for help in order to fully restore the damaged facilities”
He disclosed that the seminary will be graduating 318 students which cut across different programmes from certificate ( which is the least) to Doctor in Ministry at the same time, ECWA College of Education, Igbaja, will be graduating 19 students in its 4th graduation ceremony.