Faith-based private varsities hold key to leadership growth –Amaga

The Chancellor, Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Archbishop Sam Amaga, has said that the institution is more determined than ever before to continue the production of globally competitive graduates.

He also said that faith-based private universities held the key to the academic, intellectual and leadership development of the country.

Amaga’s position was contained in a statement issued by the institution after the Testimony Night organised by the university to enable the students to assess themselves and the impact the institution has had on them since they were admitted to SU.

The Testimony Night is an annual event where students and top management of the institution gathered to evaluate the impact some of the academic, leadership and skills development programmes  designed by the university have had on the students.

According to Amaga, the university, by its design and programme, is keen on producing graduates with integrity, honesty, skills and global outlook that will eventually contribute towards efforts being made to deliver the country from inept leadership at all levels.

"That is why we have designed the Total Leadership Training Concept whereby our students are exposed to courses and programmes that will impact them with a life of selflessness, sacrifice, service to humanity, integrity, discipline and diligence, all of which are virtues of leadership.

"We organise this Testimony Night, a kind of a feedback from the students, to enable us know whether the TLTC initiative has been productive or not. It will help us to gauge how well we are achieving our goal to graduate students with godly leadership skills,” he said.

Amaga added that the Federal Government should encourage faith-based institutions across the country as they have the potential to graduate students and leaders who would contribute to the nation’s development in all ramifications.

After Amaga’s welcome remarks, some of the students spoke about the impact the university has had on them. Most of them described the institution as a transformational university.  They explained that it had impacted them spiritually, academically, in integrity and selfless service to humanity and God.

One of them, Mr. Ojo Joshua, a 200 Level student in the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, said, "Before I came to Salem University, I was average virtually in all spheres of my life and endeavours. But the university, being a transformational institution for positivity, has been able to help me to know how to conceptualise the core values of the school and apply them everywhere I find myself.”

Also, a 400 Level Geology student, Mr. Ogunsola Daniel, testified that the university had cleansed him of all negative attitudes he came in with. "During the process of TLTC, I was empowered with the leadership quality and made to realise my purpose.

Also, a 200-Level female student in the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy,  Miss Obi Cynthia, said that before she was admitted to SU, she was crude, unrefined both intellectually and  spiritually.

Other students who spoke at the ceremony included Oyedepo Olugbenga, Adah Ojonugwa, Attah Triumph, Ocheni Martins Allahyafi Rahab, Anande Teruer and Juliet Ojochide.

However, some of the students urged the university management to invest more in physical and academic facilities.