By Bon Peters
Oil and gas expert, Dr. Longinus Chinedu Mbakwem has bagged a Doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Ministerial Counselling 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 endeavours, held in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, was a stocktaking event for Christians who used the opportunity to x-ray their faith in God and espouse how a real Christian ought to be.
Fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of the event, Dr Longinus Chinedu Mbakwem, who said he ventured into Theology as a result of God’s calling, stressed that “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 in the 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 having worked in many oil and gas companies in various management capabilities.
The Imo State born Oil expert said that, ” This is my Sixth Degree and am still working towards acquiring the 7th very soon. He listed the following, Apart from his educational background in Botany acquired from University of Jos, Nigeria, he listed others such as MBA in Project Management Technology – Federal University of Technology, Owerri, ,M.Sc. in Corporate Governance – Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, U.K and BA, M.Th., in Theology-Evangelical Bible college and Seminary, Greenacres, Florida USA
Others include, 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, apart from his professional memberships.
According to him, the company where he works started the sale of LNG for a long time but has also ventured into CNG.
Giving his preference for CNG, he reiterated that pollutants from the CNG is lesser than the PMS and more environmentally friendly, adding that, “this country can harness the natural Gas, because the country based on its potential is sitting on Natural Gas .
On availability of CNG, he said that Nigeria should embark on mass provision of Compressed Natural Gas infrastructure, emphasizing that, ” 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.
Explaining further, he said: “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.
Also speaking, 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 those imparting the Word of God to embrace 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 that same trend affects 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 expressed concern.
Admonishing graduands at the event, he said they should be worthy ambassadors of the school and the world is expecting them to shine, 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.”
He urged the new graduands to 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 problems in the church and society today.”
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