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Chapol Commandant of the Society for Chaplains in Nigeria (SCN), in charge of Rivers and Bayelsa states, Brigadier Doris Oweiagba, has said that a special training command of the paramilitary organisation has been approved for Bayelsa State with the mandate to commence recruitment.
Chapol Oweiagba, who disclosed this in Yenagoa on Sunday while decorating the general superintendent of the Kingdom Grace Mission, Apostle Timiebi Gaius Kiyaramo, with the rank of brigadier at the church premises, at Oxbow Lake Yenagoa, said chaplains are spiritual fathers to men and officers of both military and paramilitary formations while providing counseling and spiritual care to them.
According to the commandant, the Society for Chaplains in Nigeria, which is an affiliate of the International Chaplains Corps, carries out evangelism by going out in uniform in the company of officers of both military and paramilitary bodies to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the unsaved, adding that the body periodically organise crusades in military and paramilitary barracks across Nigeria.
“Members of SCN also embark on humanitarian services. The training is strict. We don’t advertise our chaplaincy because we are careful not to allow unscrupulous persons into our midst. Our officers are trained as first aiders as a paramilitary organisation.
“We carry out moral instructions in schools. Some state governments fund the body. We work also with prison officers. We embark on moral campaigns. Our Chaplains’ Officers’ Wives Association partners with similar military and paramilitary bodies to organise skills acquisition programmes to empower women and youth. They carry out skills acquisition trainings for the officers’ wives,” she explained.
Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bayelsa State chapter, Prof. (Bishop) Prosper Ayawei, who was special guest of honour at the occasion, reminded the clergy of the Rapture when the saints will be called up for decoration, adding that Apostle Timiebi Kiyaramo has been a friend, brother and colleague in the vineyard of Christ for decades.
In his remarks, chairman of the decoration ceremony who is also chairman of Bayelsa State Ecumenical Board, Pastor Dotimi Amatare, said chaplains represent the spiritual army of Jesus Christ whose primary duty is to embark on spiritual warfare through spreading the word of God in extreme places.
He enjoined the newly commissioned officer, Apostle (Brigadier) Timiebi Kiyaramo to endure hardship, as a true soldier of Christ, when it comes in the discharge of his duties.
Giving his exhortation, Brigadier Edwin Oputa said SCN stands for integrity and high moral standards, add that evangelism remains the focus of the organization. He admonished the newly commissioned officer to remain dedicated to the cause of salvation, which is the hallmark of Christian journey on earth.
Apst (Dr) Stephen Kalama, a retired arm-carrying chaplain in the Nigerian Navy, expressed his willingness to help the newly inaugurated Bayelsa unit command in the area of training while thanking the Rivers/Bayelsa State commandant for taking the initiative to inaugurate the new unit command in the state.
Also, Bayelsa State chief historian and archivist, Dr. Stephen Olali, paid glowing tributes to Pastor Dotimi Amatare and Apostle Timiebi Kiyaramo for their integrity and dedication to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, pointing out that the honour done the recipient was well deserved, judging from his unblemished missionary track record for over thirty five years in mission field.
Pastor Cornelius Timighe, retired manager at Total Producing and general superintendent of Divine Touch Ministry, applauded Apostle Kiyaramo for his perseverance in the vineyard of Christ, adding that the honour and responsibility laid on his shoulders by the decoration as brigadier in SCN is a true testimony of his service to the of Christ and humanity.
President of Yenagoa Sub-Chamber of International Christian Chambers of Commerce, Evang. Testimony Fano, praised the setting up of a training unit command in Yenagoa, and promised to facilitate a synergy between the body and the International Chaplains Corps in the United States of America.
Dignitaries that graced the event include: Ibenanawei of Apoi, HRH Perekebuna Ikpangi, paramount ruler of Swali community, HRH Wilcox Job, general superintendent of Revelation Power Ministry, Apst. Onyebuchi Nwachukwu, wife of the secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Mrs Ayibapreye Benson, general superintendent of Holiness Foundation Ministry, Rev. Washington Agala, state pastor of Logos Ministry, Rev. Chesime Tamuno, Pastor (Mrs) Eucharia Kiyaramo and general superintendent of Triumphant Covenant Ministry.
Others are: Rev Wilson Joshua, vice principal of Federal Government College, Arc. Tom Nkotaria, Imiringi, Madam Christiana Jonah-Bonnie, Pastor Yabifa Ronnie, Rev. Dominion Peters, South South interim coordinator of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), former special assistant the governor on social media, Mr. Dave Asei, Pastor Suoyo Owei, Geoffrey Kwaloo, Pastor Daniel Josiah, chairman, KGM Men’s Fellowship, Brother Andrew Igona, Pastor George Genawa and Pastor (Mrs) Abigail Nimis.
