Taiwo Popoola
The management of ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos (JETS) has stated that it will not apologize for awarding an honorary doctorate to Apostle Arome Osayi, asserting that its actions were guided by the institution’s core values and mission.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Provost of the institution, Prof. Sunday Bobai Agang, which was made available to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, in response to YouTube videos criticizing the honorary doctorate awarded to Osayi.
The statement reads: “The attention of ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, JETS, has been drawn to a series of YouTube videos in which the institution is subjected to several cyberattacks and defamatory statements by a sponsored YouTube channel, ‘The True Christian Faith.’
“The attacks, which are purported to be in reaction to JETS’ decision to give an honorary doctorate award to Apostle Arome Osayi, are considered by JETS to be unjust, unfair, and unchristian.
“As an institution, JETS refuses to acknowledge the self-appointed authority of the critic and will not engage in a war of words. Instead, we choose to focus on our core values, mission, vision, and mandate, which are centred on constructive building and public theology.
“We note that the critic has a history of cyberbullying and attacking the theological content of others, including renowned church leaders. JETS considers the critic’s approach to be reactive, unchristian, and unlawful.
“We maintain that the award of an honorary doctorate to Apostle Arome Osayi was done per our established traditions and due processes,” the statement explained.
“Apostle Osayi’s contributions to social actions, advocacy, and church work make him a deserving recipient of the award.
“We will not be intimidated by the critic’s attacks but will stand by our evangelical theology and our commitment to serving God lawfully and lovingly,” it maintained.
“We will not apologize for our actions, which are guided by our core values and mission,” the statement stressed.
