ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF CIVIL CHAPLAINCY AND PROFRESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY IN NIGERIA.

In the name of the Almighty God, you are welcome to this piece of work, which is put at your disposal the true account and history of Civil Chaplaincy, Civil Chaplaincy Practices and Civil Chaplains in Nigeria.

Experiences have made us to come to an understanding that if proper documentations are not made at the time events took place especially by the actors of the events, falsification, distortions etc, may set in at a later date when the actors may have left the stage and events are being recorded and history being relayed by third parties (especially those who never witnessed the actual events).

This historical report or documentation is not only an eye witness account, but also a historical account of an actor and a participator in the events of Civil Chaplaincy and practice in Nigeria.

Although Chaplaincy Practice came to the shores of this land through the Royal British Army, by which Chaplaincy Practice and Chaplains became known, but restricted to the military formations.

Priests were seconded to the military to act and serve as Chaplains in the military formations without any Chaplaincy training other than theological trainings they had received from Seminaries.

Many of such Priests were constricted into the military and those that were not served as Civilian Priests in the military.

However, round about the year 1981AD, The Rev’d Sir Ige OLumide of blessed memory was instrumental in bringing Chaplaincy training to the general populace of our nation Nigeria, after he had been trained and commissioned by The Rev’d Dr. Herman Kerk Jr. at the Air Force base USA.

This happens to be the first time Chaplaincy came to be taught as a separate course and discipline from theology and candidates were offered the opportunities to be trained as Chaplains, even though they were no Clergies.

This training was a preparation for people who had not been ordained as Clerics for commissioning and recognition by their various denominations which however, the hurdles of recognition became summonted.

The effort of Rev. Herman Kerk Jr. in Florida USA to make Chaplaincy a mission enterprise to make Chaplaincy practice spread to all nook and cranes of the world, made him to commission Late Sir Ige Olumide as a Chaplain in the year 1978/79 and made him the adjutant General for Africa and Asia, precisely in the year 1981.

 He and his friend Archbishop Lawrence Ayo Afilaka become the first set of Civil Chaplains to put on the white uniform in Nigeria and Africa, having been influenced by the uniform of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.  This marks the beginning of the introduction of uniform to Civil Chaplaincy.

The very first time the military authorities in Nigeria got to know of the existence of a Chaplaincy Institution in Nigeria was in the year around 1994, when International Institute of Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy (IIPEC) was invited for a seminar by the military Chaplains at Abatti Barracks – Yaba Lagos.

As an eye witness, Archbishop Prof. Mike David was on the entourage with The Rev’d Dr. Sir Ige Olumide on the lead as the guest speaker and lecturer.

As soon as we arrived Abatti Barracks, this fateful day and we were marching in our colourful (white) uniform to the venue of the lecture, where military Chaplains and Soliders who were trainees in their denominational seminaries and Bible colleges had been waiting for us, an order was given by the former Naval Governor of Ondo State – Governor Opaleye - a Naval Officer for all of us to be locked up in the guard room for putting on uniforms that resembles that of the Navy.

The saving grace for us this fateful day was the presences of Gen. Y. Y. Kure RTD of the Nigerian Army on our entourage. When information reaches Gen. Bako who was the Director of the Army Chaplaincy, he told the Soldiers to allow us in and this we escaped been locked.

The brilliant performance of late Sir Ige Olumide as a guest speaker earned the Civil Chaplaincy some respect and dignity – but the Armed Forces had been at logger-heads with Chaplains who are not military Chaplains over uniforms and ranks.

In the year 1997AD, the burden to bring together non-military Chaplains under one umbrella, was becoming stronger on daily basis.

Chaplains that were produced in our country Nigeria were in disarray, loosing focus and drifting away from the general purpose probably because late Sir Dr. Ige Olumide raised Chaplains as para-military out-fits, other Chaplaincy organizations were coming up, training Chaplains in the same pattern.

In the year 1997AD, The Most Rev’d Prof. Mike David, as a pace setter, developed a new curriculum for Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care-Giving courses along professional pattern; completely civil in orientation but retaining the physical drills of the officers to keep serving Chaplains in top form.

After due consultations with Chaplains across the world and also International Chaplaincy Associations, as well as organizations, Prof. Mike-David fashioned out a new ranking system in line with professional organizations with no resemblance or relevance to military ranking any where in the world.

In the year 2005AD in Lagos – Shagamu, Ibadan express way, Archbishop Prof. Mike David organized a four days National Summit of Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors and Care-Givers, where the idea of Professional Chaplaincy devoid of military colour and glamour was sold to all in attendance.

The 2006AD Summit was boycotted by Chaplains and Chaplaincy organizations who felt the paradigm shift being advocated by Archbishop Prof. Mike David was going to make them become redundant and irrelevant.

Archbishop Prof. Mike David’s statement and assertion that uniform and ranks does not make one a Chaplain was misconstrued, and the ember of hatred was being found.

Letters was made to various Chaplaincy organizations and invitations extended to them as stakeholders in Chaplaincy Profession in Nigeria for the formation of an umbrella organization.

Sir Ige Olumide and IIPEC rebuffed the move claiming they will have nothing to do with other Chaplaincy organizations. Archbishop Afilaka sent a representative only once to the meeting and never returned.

The membership form issued to the organization to date was yet to be returned by almost all of them. Instead of Chaplaincy organizations accepting to come together under one umbrella, each Chaplaincy organization approached the military for recognition.

However, something significant happened in the year 2006AD, which raised the hope of Archbishop Prof. Mike David that no sooner than later the birth of the umbrella body in Nigeria will soon be born.

Precisely, in February 2006AD, the former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who had been commissioned and appointed as the African representative of American World-wide Chaplaincy Association, by Chap. Dr. Wom Nam Kim, summoned a meeting of Chaplains including the military Chaplains in Abuja.

Right at the venue of the meeting, some of the Chaplains (Civil Chaplains dressed in their white uniform) requested to identify themselves, for it is strange in Nigeria Armed Forces to dress like a Naval Officers and yet wear the ranks of Army Officers.

The military authorities were alerted by the Soldiers on duty and defense Chief called upon the Director of Army Chaplains (Col. D.D.Danfulani) for explanation and identification of those men in unauthorized uniforms and ranks.

The Director of Army Chaplains told the military authorities that, they were the Chaplains invited to the meeting in progress. Then and only then were they allowed to join their colleagues at the meeting venue.

In the meeting the demonstration of who and who is superior in Chaplaincy Practice as demonstrated by representatives of IIPEC (Dr. Sir Ige Olumide’s outfit) and CFN (Archbishop Afilaka’s outfit) which lead to free for all fight.

This open hostility demonstrated by these two rival groups in Chaplaincy, made the military authority to order the Director of Army Chaplains to have nothing to do with any Civil Chaplaincy organization, individually until we are able to pull ourselves together as an umbrella body, fully registered with the Cooperate Affairs according to the land of our land.

The military authorities also condemned the subtle recognition by Int’l associations wanting control Chaplaincy Practice in Nigeria from America and Europe.

At the collapse of this meeting, Archbishop Prof. Mike David intensified his efforts in bringing Civil Chaplaincy organizations under one umbrella for the benefit of our profession. Many more Civil Chaplaincy organizations kept on seeking individual recognition of the military with many of them making serving and returned military officers as patrons etc.

Each time Archbishop Prof. Mike David visited the Director of Army Chaplain (Col. D.D. Danfulani) in Lagos, was always encouraging me to go on puling those Chaplains together as a group.

He was instrumental in sending many Civil Chaplaincy Organization to me including Bishop Ramson Kelnanah’s group, with whom we made a commitment to work together with all Chaplaincy groups in the formation of an umbrella body.

Many past people took advantage of this dichotomy in Chaplaincy in Nigeria until they fell victims of the military authorities and the prices they had to pay for such remains part of their history today.

The gracious God, after ten years of labourious works amongst colleague Chaplains in Nigeria, The Fellowship of Civil Chaplains of Nigeria was incorporated in July 19th 2012AD which marks the beginning of a new era in Chaplaincy practice in Nigeria.

Our efforts in the past ten years to bring all Civil Chaplaincy organizations under one umbrella yielded fruits, as we were able to pull five Chaplaincy organizations together, incorporated The Fellowship of Civil Chaplains of Nigeria, with seven members of the Board of Trustee from the following five organizations:

1.   Global Chaplaincy Corps.

2.   Chaplains Fellowship of Nigeria.

3.   Covenant Chaplains Welfare Networks.

4.   Gracetime Ministries Chaplaincy Corps.

5.   Universal Christian College of Chaplaincy.

We must be told in very clear terms that this victory is only the beginning and a stepping stone into Civil Chaplaincy Profession and Practice in our nation Nigeria.

NB:   America has become a nation and place desired by many to live and work in because the Americans were committed to making their country what it is today as they cared to develop it. Europe and Canada were also developed by their own nationals.

Indigenous professionals and professions have in no small measure to the development of their nations and professions  as they helped setting standards for practicing their God-given professions and such standards have been granted international recognition and acceptance.

Here is our own opportunity as practicing Chaplains to help develop our God-given profession and at the same time contributing to the general development of Nigeria.

Individuals or other nationals will not come to set the standard of practice for us in Nigeria unless we are seeking or offering ourselves up for re-colonization. God Forbid bad thing!

THE FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE AND SEMINAR OF CIVIL CHAPLAINS:

The first ever Press Conference and Seminar of Civil Chaplains was held February 20^th to 21^st 2014AD with fourteen (14) Chaplaincy organizations represented, fifty-six (56) delegates in attendance spanning through nine (9) States of the federation in Nigeria.

This marks the new beginning in Civil Chaplaincy in Nigeria and Africa.

Let us all, corporately and severally rise up to the task of our nation’s building, as we make the needed contribution to national development. If vision 20 20 20 is to be a reality, Chaplains must also play their part. If Nigeria will attain the MDG set-goals for 2015AD, Chaplains must play their part.

You have an invitation from Archbishop Prof. Mike David to join forces with pace setters and let us together develop Chaplaincy without contending with the military.

Chap. Prof. Mike

PRESENT DAY CHALLENGES CONFRONTING CHAPLAINCY PROFESSION IN NIGERIA

The greatest challenges confronting Chaplaincy profession presently in Nigeria have been discovered to be the followings:-

1.   Falsification of claims.

2.   Deception.

3.   Claiming to have the knowledge of something, when one knows next to nothing.

4.   Claim a geographical spread which is unimaginable.

5.   Self-imposed praises and titles.

6.   Extortion of money on false pretence etc.

NB: These and others that have not been mentioned here have been discovered to be the bane of profitable Chaplaincy development in Nigeria.

For how long more can we swallow such falsehoods from mediocre and people who have nothing to do with Chaplaincy profession but have been commissioned Chaplains after a wishy - washy Chaplaincy training.

Case Study:

On Thursday 26^th of November 2015AD round about 16^th hours, Chaplain Bala Lantang of Global Mission Chaplaincy Corps who styled himself as the Chaplaincy Commander General for the whole of Africa with 64 commands claims that there are only three Chaplaincy Organizations in Nigeria, it is as follows:-

1.   Global Mission Chaplaincy Corps, His own organization doing “Departmental Chaplaincy.” What Departmental Chaplaincy is, I have no idea.

2.   Chaplains Fellowship of Nigeria, Archbishop Afilaka’s Chaplaincy outfit doing psycho-therapy, how I wish he can define psycho-therapy adequately.

3.   The Chaplaincy organization at Otta he says, as he does not know the name nor the owner of the Chaplaincy outfit at Otta doing “Clinical Chaplaincy.”

NB: With all boldness quackery is throwing in Chaplaincy unabated in Nigeria. We need to consider the implications of this and future consequences, this may bring upon our choice profession “Chaplaincy” and the recognition we are seeking. The action must be now or never.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Are you truly a Chaplain?

v A Chaplain by design and calling is expected to be a clergy or cleric of any religion, who is in the leadership cadre of his/her religion or faith group.

v A Chaplain is expected to be a man or woman of integrity.

v A Chaplain is expected to be honest report, and therefore must shun any form of deception or falsehood.

v A Chaplain is expected to be a professional in his/her field of specialization and not professional or career liar.

v A Chaplain by design and calling is expected to help proffer solutions to knotty problems of humanity, not compounding or creating problems for people.

v A Chaplain, globally is expected to carry the endorsement of his/her faith group as well as that of his/her Chaplaincy organization; never a presidential endorsement, do not be made a fool of this day.

v A Chaplain is a very busy professional, and not a busy body, peddling rumours and falsehood. You must therefore shun this if you are truly a called Chaplain or you desire to be a Chaplain.

v A Chaplain is expected to be kind hearted as a professional care-giver not one making merchandise of the people they are called to serve.

v A Chaplain is expected to rekindle hope in the hopeless and traumatized; and not giving people false hopes or make them promises that can never be fulfilled.

v A Chaplain is expected to demonstrate highest professional skills in reducing or eliminating the suffering of people of our world not playing politics. You must stop playing politics with precious lives of human beings forth with.

NB: Make a check list and see where you fall; truly a CHAPLAIN? Please get cracking and showcase Chaplaincy profession rightly.

WHAT CAN CHAPLAINS DO TO EARN THE ADMIRATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC?

1.   All Chaplains must be encouraged and be motivated to engage in professional Chaplaincy practice that is beneficial to general public.

Have you ever come across a Mechanic who repairs no motor or bike? How many of you will be prepared to release your vehicle to such a mechanic for fault detection and maintenance?

2.   Practicing professional Chaplains must be mobilized to offer professional care and good service delivery to the general public with the views of helping to reduce sufferings of the populace.

Have you ever seen a Nurse, who is not interested in giving injection and administering drugs to patients? How many of you will want to entrust your lives or lives of your family members to such a Nurse for treatment?

3.   Chaplains must learn to make the needed advocacy on matters of national issues and concern to the general public.

How many of you will desire to put your monies in wonder bank, which will away with your hard earned money?

4.   Chaplains must learn to conduct themselves with the highest decorum and integrity as they offer people services in professional practice.

5.   Chaplains must maintain high level of professional competence and proficiency in practice.

How many of you will want to go for care in a hospital or clinic where people who go there alive never come back alive?

Chaplain Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CBC, CPC.

I AM A PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINS AND I AM HAPPY TO BE ONE BECAUSE…..

I 1. Iam opportune by the Almighty God to be involved in life transformation industry.

22.     I am in mind mending industry.

33.     I am in family building industry.

44.     I am in pain reducing industry.

55.     I am in conflict resolution industry.

66.     I am in the conciliation industry.

77.     I am in chaplaincy education industry.

88.     I am in the negotiation industry.

99.     I am in mediation industry.

110.                        I am in arbitration industry.

111.                        I am in behavioural change industry.

112.                        I am in attitudinal modification industry.

113.                        I am in the counseling industry.

114.                        I am in spiritual care industry.

115.                        I am in the religious industry.

116.                        I am in the emotional care industry.

117.                        I am in the pastoral care industry.

118.                        I am in an interfaith industry.

119.                        I am in fostering resilience industry.

220.                        I am in a hurting reduction industry.

221.                        I am in care-giving industry.

222.                        I am in marriage building industry.

223.                        I am in relationship building industry

224.                        I am in hope raising industry.

225.                        I am in pluralistic setting, making provisions available to the general populace of our nation and the world.

NB: Dangote, Otedola and their alikes are involved in various industries that will bring satisfaction to humanity in physical and economic manner. In which industry are you engaged? Speak now or never!

Chap. Prof. mike-Jacobs

CLARION CALL FOR CONFERENCE OF ALL CHAPLAINS IN NIGERIA

Beloved Professional Colleagues,

Greetings in God’s Name. Amen.

It is a known fact that people of the same profession (men and women) of the same profession do come together annually or bi-annually to;

a.   Celebrate success attained by their profession.

b.   Chart a new course or direction for the profession.

c.   Sensitize members of the need for professionalism.

d.   Targeting a particular challenge of their age with the views of finding a lasting solution to such.

e.   Marking memorable occasion in the history of the profession.

f.     Chart a new course for the development and advancement of their profession as well as their members.

g.   Demonstrating relevance in the in the socio-political and economic development of their nations.

Chaplaincy profession is not an exception in the practice for there are national conferences of Chaplains in many nations of our world and world conference of Chaplains. We are of the opinion that Nigeria should not be an exemption of the rule.

Thus, we are making this clarion call to all Chaplains in Nigeria to let us come together for a “National Conference” of all Chaplains. Corporate existence, identity and team work should be our pursuit in Chaplaincy profession in Nigeria.

The era where a Chaplaincy organization and outfit in Nigeria claims to be the only Chaplaincy organization is over and should be put behind us. Reality must be dawn on us that unity in diversity is what our situation is calling for.

The International Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Week is there for us to mark and celebrate. The invitation is open to all Chaplains and Chaplaincy organizations.

Please note that no appointments have been made and no positions filled. Please contact Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs JP – the Covener - 0809260117; 07055287861

STEPS IN PREPARING TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAIN

1^st Step:

Having a Theological Degree or Divinity Degree or Mission Degree or Practical Ministry Degree from a recognized Seminary at the completion of the course of studies of your choice.

2^nd Step:

Getting an ordination from your religious faith group, denomination or sect to become a cleric or clergy of your religion.

3^rd Step:

Enrolling to study in a college of Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy for Pastoral Care and General Chaplaincy studies until graduation.

4^th Step:

Obtaining a professional Chaplaincy studies in any field or area of specialization of your choice for nothing less than 50 to 120 hours.

5^th Step:

Obtaining the needed endorsement from your faith group indicating that you are in good standing with your faith group.

6^th Step:

Commissioning as a Chaplain by the commissioning authority/Chaplaincy organization.

7^th Step:

Requesting for and obtaining board certification for Chaplaincy practice.

8^th Step:

Engaging in professional Chaplaincy practice and service delivery to the people either in public service, private or corporate services as one is licensed to practice Chaplaincy.

Only at this juncture can one claim to become a professional Chaplain, ready to render the needed service to humanity and as years go by one begins the journey of developing competence in practice.

On daily basis of professional practice, the Chaplain begins to accumulate experiences and in no time will develop the needed proficiency. As the professional Chaplain cares to remain relevant in his or her choice profession, and become engendered to his or her clients.

Roles and Duties of Professional Chaplains

1.   As inter-faith ministers, they have the mandate to minister to all in their diversities, in a pluralistic setting irrespective of their religious, political and philosophical leanings.

2.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate of their professional to provide care to all people, who need such services without intimidation or partiality whatsoever.

3.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide pastoral care to the hurting and the down trodden in societies of our world.

4.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to identify with the neglected ones in the society of our world and giving voices to the voiceless.

5.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide religious care to all and sundry as clerics and clergies of religions.

6.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to give religious care to the sick and the dying.

7.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide palliative care to the terminally ill as well as those in hospice.

8.   Professional Chaplain have the mandate to provide spiritual care to all people with the intention of helping the obtain wholesomeness, wholistic care and wellness.

9.   Professional Chaplains render the needed spiritual care to clients, making such clients have meaning in life.

10.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to work on people’s minds with the intentions of mending their minds or help change their attitudes and behaviours for better in life.

Chaplain Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CBC, CPC.

CRISIS FREE LIFE AND WORLD IS AN ILLUSION

The president and all important dignitaries present on this occasion; all protocols observed. It is important at this inauguration to emphasize and bring to the notice of all Chaplains that we are called to mediate, intervene and resolve crisis situations and reduce human sufferings.

It is pertinent for us to know that there is no crisis free life and world any where until the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  It is a known fact that crisis free life is an illusion and unrealistic. We have enough evidence at our finger tips to prove that crisis is part of normal life:

1.   The challenges of life are there to make life what it is.

2.   The difficulties in life are there to make life what it is.

3.   The problems of life are there and normal part of life to make life what it is.

4.   The world we live in is saddled with a lot of problems calling for urgent attention and solutions. Crisis free world is an illusion and has also become unrealistic.

Contemporary world we live in is playing with:

1.   Political problems.

2.   Industrial problems.

3.   Social problems.

4.   Health problems.

5.   Psychological problems.

6.   Emotional  problems.

7.   Mental  problems.

8.   Relationship problems.

9.   Unemployment problems.

10. Economic problems.

11. Immigration and migration problems.

12. Religious problems.

13. Terrorism and associated problems.

14. Environmental problems.

15. Marital problems.

16. Adolescent and youth problems.

17. Family problems.

18. Gender problems.

19. Status and class problems.

20.  Cultural, tribal, racial and ethnical problems.

21. Cross-cultural problems.

22. Behavioural problems.

23. Contractual and legal problems, to mention but a few.

These enumerated problems of our society, world and humanity are calling for the attention of those who care to make themselves available in providing the needed solutions to them.

We as professional Chaplains should be grateful to the Almighty God who hath called us with a calling of proffering solutions to unending problems of humanity and also gave us the Chaplaincy profession. Praise God!

Chaplains have the professional mandate to seek to proffer the needed solutions to the numerous problems of the people of our world, and thus have the opportunity of becoming;

1.   Crisis managers.

2.    Behavioural and attitudinal change agents and consultants.

3.   Problem solvers.

4.   Conflict management and resolution experts.

5.   Professional mediators and arbitrators.

6.   Professional care providers.

7.   Home and Family menders.

8.   Hope rekindlers etc.

NB: God in His own wisdom and power hath provided Chaplains to who the people of our world can turn to when problems, difficulties and challenges of life seems to overwhelm them for sucour.

Chaplains should therefore comport themselves in such a way as to help alleviate or reduce the sufferings of people and make the life they live more meaningful in all ramification.

Chaplains must therefore endeavor to shun compound people’s problems or do anything that will cause confusion amongst the people who they are called to serve. 

In professional practice, the opportunity we have and enjoy in serving the Almighty God and humanity must be taken seriously. From now on it must be a national action for all Chaplains to take service delivery to the nooks and crannies of our nation. Let us realistically say to the people of our world that we are adequately prepared to make us proffer solutions to their problems in the most professional way, thus enhancing profitable and fulfilled meaningful lives for the people.

In our efforts to give people meaning in life, as we practice our profession, we must seek to;

1.   Help the hurting.

2.   Reduce people’s sufferings.

3.   Identify with the in their various situations and conditions.

4.   Help the build their coping capacities.

5.   Provide the needed care.

In summary, we learn to depart from the past deception, mediocrity, individualistic tendencies and inaction, mounting higher from now to tae Chaplaincy in Nigeria to the professional status it enjoys all over the world.

Professionalizing the Chaplaincy profession remains the audious task that must be accomplished by all of us together if we do not want to stand to be ridiculed amongst the committee of nations.

Let all of us take this to be the threshold of professional development as we mark our thirty-fie and half decades of existence.

Long live Civil Chaplains of Nigeria.

Long live Chaplaincy Profession.

Long live our nation Nigeria.

Speech delivered by

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CBC, CPC.

@ The Official Inauguration of Civil Chaplains of Nigeria Inc.

April 29^th -30^th 2016AD, Redemption Camp – Lagos