Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Bags BIU Doctorate Degree in Divinity
Benson Idahosa University has again made history as it bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity on one of Nigeria’s foremost Charismatic Leaders, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome at a Special Convocation ceremony held at the University Campus. The occasion which was coming few months after the University’s historic Convocation which had Frm. Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as guest lecturer was well attended by dignitaries from all walks of life.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie described the occasion as historic, in that; the University was honoring a man whose life has impacted people both locally and internationally.
He noted that there were many striking similarities and homology between the graduand being honoured and Benson Idahosa University adding that Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome worked as a staff with the Church of God Mission International (CGMi) after his secondary school days where he was opportune to study the ministerial works of the late Archbishop B.A Idahosa.
Earlier on, the Chancellor and Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Dr. M.E Benson Idahosa while expressing her profound gratitude to God said the occasion was an opportunity to publicly recognize and honour the awardee for his great works around the world. According to the Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University was fulfilling the legacy left behind by its founder, Archbishop B.A Idahosa. She declared that the best days of Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome were ahead of him.
Speaking on the “Role of Models in an Age of no Models”, the President of the Institution, Bishop F.E Benson Idahosa II said, “It is only God who makes models of men”. According to him, “man is an imperfect being, made perfect by God”. Identifying the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa as a man raised by God to be a role model for the world and the next generation, Bishop Idahosa said, like the Archbishop, Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome is indeed a role model, noting that the honorary awardee has not just used his faith to build edifices, but more importantly, he has built people.
The highpoint of the occasion was the award of the Doctorate degree in Divinity on the recipient after an excellent presentation of his citation by the Acting University Orator, Dr. Mark Ighile, the Director of Academic Planning, Benson Idahosa University.
Responding in appreciation to the Chancellor for the honor bestowed on him by the Institution the Recipient noted that Benson Idahosa University is the heart of the legacy of Archbishop B.A Idahosa whom he described as one of the most inspirational and remarkable man of God.
He said, he was one of those privileged to work with the late Archbishop. Declaring his commitment to be a part of the historic growth of the Institution, Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome donated the sum of 1billion Naira to the construction of the BIU Faculty of Engineering.
Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome is the founder of Christ Embassy, aka, (Believers Love World), and he is now an Alumnus of Benson Idahosa University.