REPORT ON THE 65TH LECTURESHIP, MATRICULATION AND GRADUATION CEREMONIES OF THE NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN BIBLE COLLEGE UKPOM, ABAK, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA.
HELD BETWEEN JULY 31ST THROUGH AUGUST 3RD, 2018.
Headlines:
- One hundred and twenty two souls were baptized during the four days lectureship.
- Over 20,000 Christians and non Christians attended the Lectureship in 4 days with 5,000 people in average daily attendance
- Thirty-three students matriculated (new students) into the College.
- Twenty-seven students graduated.
The 65th annual N.C.B.C Lectureship; Matriculation and Graduation Ceremonies which was held at Ukpom campus between July 31st through August 3rd, 2018. ended in a grand style and recorded huge successes.
On Saturday, July 28, 2018, thirty congregations within Abak and Uyo responded by sending their youths to clean the campus of N.C.B.C, in preparation for the lectureship. They came with hoes to weed the paths and cut glasses to cut the grasses where the N.C.B.C laborers did not cut. They also helped in washing the Roger Church Chapel.
On Sunday, 29th July, a Bacclaulrette service was held in honour of the graduating students Brother Ability Abraham, an alumnus of N.C.B.C and a lecturer at Nigerian Christian Institute Uyo gave the minister’s charge which was followed by an ordination service led by Mr. Samuel Okon J. P, the Director of N.C.B.C Ministerial programme.
On Monday 30th July, the president banquet was held where all the graduating students ate with the President of the college and the staff.
On 31th July, being Tuesday, early in the morning many Buses, Trucks, Cars and Motorcycles were trooping into the college, conveying Christians and non-Christians to participate in the lectureship.
By 5 pm the Auditorium was filled to its capacity and Prof. Timothy Akpakpan welcomed the mammoth crowd to the lectureship. He also analyzed the lectureship theme which was “The Paradoxes of the New Testament”, Brother Aniefiok Akpan of Rhema Academy delivered the first key note speech which was “The Image of the Invisible God” and thirty-four souls were baptized the first night.
The president of the college, Goodnews E. Peter spoke on “N.C.B.C at 65” and highlighted the challenges facing the college and the achievements so far recorded and called for massive support from individuals and congregations. Prominent ministers spoke on the topics which were assigned to them such as:
Edet Williams spoke on strength through weakness (II Cor 12:10).
Okpan Cleopas, the minister of church of Christ 25 Etonko Street Calabar spoke on “Receiving through giving (Acts 20: 35)” and Dr. Umanaette S. Udoh, the Board of Governors Chairman of N.C.B.C spoke on “Findings through Loosing.”
There were 16 key note speeches, 4 health Lectures, 10 Children classes and youth programmes, four (4) women classes, one variety night/talent show and two Alumni meetings.
On Thursday, August 2, the first ever N.C.B.C Award Dinner night was held and twenty-one persons were honored in recognition and appreciation of their invaluable roles to the continued existence of the college. Eight persons were honored as “Friends of the N.C.B.C College”, ten were honored as Pillars and three were honored as Patriarchs of N.C.B.C. The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi H R M, U. J. Ntuobom gave N50, 000 at the occasion, his wife Veronica Ntukobom had earlier sent in N20,000 to be given to the best graduating student of the year which she had instituted as an annual award for some years now.
The Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governors office Uyo, Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko who was the guest speaker also gave N50, 000. A total donation of N140, 000 was raised at the Dinner.
On Friday August 3rd, was the grand finale ten persons were nominated to serve as care taker committee for N.C.B.C Alumni Executive, they were sworn into office by Dr. Umanaette S. Udoh, the BOG Chairman of N.C.B.C.
The Graduation Ceremony was very colourful. Dr. Tom U. Tom, the president, School of Biblical Studies Jos, delivered the convocation Address. A total of twenty-seven students graduated, seventeen students were from N.C.B.C and ten was Doris-Chad Bible College which is affiliated with N.C.B.C.
Prizes and Awards were given to students in the following areas;
- Academics – Eyibio Ekpo Nya
- Leadership – Sunday Okon Titus
- Sanitation – Itoro Effiong Inyang
- Special Service Award – Joshua Okon Sunsay
- Most progressive Award – Edwin Abraham Ucha
We are very thankful to A.C.S.F for the financial support which they gave for the hosting of the lectureship, we also thank the women in Nigeria who formed themselves into a group called “Women for N.C.B.C” who hired 500 chairs costing N30, 000 for three days. Some congregations which the N.C.B.C account office has the record sent in some donations to assist the hosting of the Lectureship. We are all grateful to them. May God bless everyone who helped for the success of this important event in Jesus name Amen!
Uyai S. Joshua
Director of Information, N.C.B.C.
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