An oil and gas expert Dr. Longinus Chinedu Mbakwem has bagged a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Ministerial Counseling from Evangelical Bible college and Seminary, Greenacres, Florida USA an affiliate of Calvary College of Theology, Rivers state Nigeria.
The occasion which witnessed the gathering of creme de la creme in the religion and other fields of human endeavour, in Port Harcourt, weekend was a stocktaking event for Christains who used the opportunity to x-ray their faith in God and espouse how a real Christian ought to be.
Speaking, to Newsmen on the sideline of the event, Dr Longinus Chinedu Mbakwem, who said he ventured into Theology as a result of God’s calling, said “no matter what you are and the level of your profession you must be able at all times answer God’s calling, noting that God’s calling supersedes every other thing that one is doing in this World”, even as he used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to develop CNG Infrastructures in various parts of Nigeria so as to achieve the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative of the government.
Dr. Mbakwem, a versatile business professional with over 24 years of post-graduate extensive experience in the downstream Oil & Gas sector, said that his expertise include sales and operations management of Bitumen, Lubricants, white petroleum products-Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Propane, Liquid Nitrogen, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Condensate, insisted that he has a strong track record in strategic marketing management, negotiation, inventory management, and sales forecasting among others and have worked in many oil and gas companies in various management capabilities.
Mbakwem, an Imo State born Oil expert, said ” This is my Sixth Degree and am still working towards acquiring the 7th very soon.” Even as he listed the following, as his educational Background BSc. (Hon.) in Botany – University of Jos, Nigeria
MBA in Project Management Technology – Federal University of Technology, Owerri
M.Sc. in Corporate Governance – Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, U.K.
BA, M.Th., in Theology-Evangelical Bible college and Seminary, Greenacres, Florida USA
Ph.D. in Ministerial Counseling – Evangelical Bible college and Seminary, Greenacres, Florida USA and a Ph.D. (in view) in Energy Economy– Emerald Institute-University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Some of his Professional Membership according to him include, Associate Member -Nigerian Gas Association, Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Fellow, Institute of Management Consultant, Associate Member-Nigeria institute of management, Member National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria among others.
Continuing, he said where he works, the company started the sale of LNG for a long time now but has also ventured into CNG. Giving reasons for preference for CNG, he reiterated that pollutant from the CNG is lesser than the PMS and more environmentally friendly, adding that “this country can harness the natural Gas as according to him Nigeria is sitting on Natural Gas .
On the availability of CNG he said that Nigeria should embark on massive provision of Compressed Natural Gas infrastructure. ” What we see now is Premium Motor, Spirits PMS (Filling Stations,). The Federal Government should make CNG available for people to use.”
“Though, I can say that the federal government is trying but they should motivate many companies to start building infrastructure on CNG. What we have mainly is filling stations. They should incorporate the CNG in various filling stations so that people can access the product.
“The price is less and it reduces the cost of fueling your vehicle and the pollutant is equally less than the PMS and AGO”. He advised.
Speaking further, he asserted. “Though we have some conversion Centres here in Port Harcourt whereby you go and convert your Petrol or Diesel Engine to compressed Natural Gas but the stations are not enough. And people should be trained on how to service the CNG vehicles as obtained in PMS and AGO.”
Dr Mbakwem who said he is currently engaged in initiatives related to gas-to-power projects aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing energy efficiency added that he is also passionate about energy economy and sustainability even as he is actively seeking innovative solutions to contemporary energy challenges.
On his own, the Acting president Calvary College of Theology Rev. Dr Noble Obinna Madu expressed satisfaction on the success of the 38 matriculation and 35 convocation of his school.
He admonished that those imparting the word of God should come for training insisting that the trend now is for some people to jump out as men and women of God, and start teaching the Gospel and claim they know it all without going through the appropriate Theological training school even as he observed such is affecting the christaindom negatively.
“Many so-called men and women of God jump into the ministry without being trained. You can’t be a Doctor or a Lawyer without adequately being trained. ” he emphasized.
Admonishing the graduands, he said they should be worthy ambassadors of the school and the world is expecting them to shine while advising that the new intakes should read their books and thrust in God and do whatever they are asked to do so as to succeed.
Rev, Dr Madu said despite challenges such as financial, infrastructural among others, God has been helping him to navigate even as he beckoned on well meaning individuals and government to come to the aid of the school.
Also Speaking, the chairman of the governing Council and General Superintendent of the school, Rev Dr Aaron Ajere said the business of the school is training of church leaders for the dissemination of the Gospel. “Many General Overseers in Nigeria and some abroad are trained here at Calvary College of Theology. ” I charge those graduating today, that they should not go and contribute to the problems we are already having in Christianity which are traceable to the pulpit.”
They should preach the truth and holiness which is at the Centre of what we are doing here. They should be Biblical in whatever they are doing both healing or prophecy should be biblical as the deviation is what is causing the problem in the church and society today” he emphasized
By Bon Peters,
in Port Harcourt
