Bingham University recently held its Second Valedictory Lecture with glowing tributes to the distinguished Professor Yusufu Turaki for his immense contributions to the University and Christian education in Nigeria.

The lecture, titled, Light on the Hill: The Role of a Christian University in Shaping Nigeria's Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Future, was delivered by the renowned Theologian and Social Ethicist, Rev. Prof. Yusufu Turaki, who bows out from active service of  the University after a stint at the department of Theology. 

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, described Prof. Turaki as a remarkable figure who embodies the spirit of the biblical Joseph.

The Vice-Chancellor recalled that during his tenure as ECWA General Secretary from 1987 to 1994, Prof. Turaki was one of those who dreamt of an ECWA University.  He did not only dream of Bingham University, he saw the dream come to fruition and has lived in the reality of that dream since he joined the University as a Distinguished Professor of Theology and Head of Department of Theology.

He noted that the University has in the past few months tapped greatly from Prof. Turaki's vast reservoir of knowledge through a series of engagements, including the University's 3rd Public Lecture, the Vice-Chancellor's interactive forum with Deans, Heads of Departments and Directors, a two-day training in collaboration with the Yusufu Turaki Foundation, as well as the two-day Staff Seminar.

'Despite being over 80 years old, the distinguished professor never once complained or showed signs of fatigue. His dedication and humility have been quite remarkable.  Prof. Ayuba added that the topic of the valedictory lecture comes at a crucial juncture in the nation's journey as Nigeria seeks to reinforce its moral foundations and spiritual resilience',he stated. 

He congratulated Prof. Turaki and prayed that the Lord will continue to guide him in truth, wisdom and goodness in retirement.

In his lecture, the Distinguished Professor of Theology and Social Ethics, Rev. Yusufu Turaki, charged Christian universities in Nigeria to strive to become the moral, spiritual and ethical vanguard for rebuilding the nation.

He said Nigeria's current crisis of ethnic rivalry, religious mistrust, corruption and violence demands that Christian universities truly become a city set on a hill.

The scholar, who is bowing out from active service, outlined key mandates for a Christian universities in Nigeria to include: Historical Memory and Faith: Christian universities must not forget their roots. Bingham must continuously preserve its legacy and remain rooted in God's law; Moral Formation: Against pervasive corruption, tribalism and lack of national vision, universities must produce graduates of integrity who fear God; Spiritual Formation: Moving students from sinful nature to spiritual beings through living by the Spirit; Ethical Formation in Leadership: Leadership and governance are public morality. Staff must bring private character to public service, modelling servant leadership; Integrating Faith and Scholarship: He warned against hollow philosophy, noting that human knowledge derived from reason and senses is fallen and limited and must be vetted by superior divine revelation; and Service and Peace Building: The University cannot be an island. Prof. Turaki emphasized that lecturers must model integrity in teaching, grading and research, while students must reject examination malpractice, sexual immorality, drug abuse and truancy, and instead become healers of ethnic wounds and builders of one Nigeria.

On the Nigerian context, he described Nigeria as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society built by different empire builders like African ancestors, Islamic Caliphates, British colonialists, Christian missionaries, nationalists and soldiers, noting that ignorance of this context leads to poor policy making. 

Prof. Turaki clarified that leading as a Christian university is not proselytizing but contribution by character. When a Christian University runs a peace institute that brings Imams and Pastors, Farmers and Herders to one table, that is not proselytizing. That is peacemaking. We lead not by shouting our faith, but by living it," he said.

He concluded, as Light on the Hill, Bingham University has to keep on burning, enlightening the dark human and social dungeons. 

"In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Pastor James Angbazo, JP, Aren Akun of Akun Chiefdom, Nasarawa Eggon, described the valedictory lecturer as God's gift to mankind, He congratulated the scholar for a life of mentorship and discipline that will endure in his legacy.

In his vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mr. Daburi Bello Misal, congratulated Prof. Yusufu Turaki for a life of service to humanity, wishing him strength to continue mentoring and training people. He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his drive and encouragement for engagements crucial to the University, thanked HRM Dr. James Angbazo for gracing the occasion, and commended the Chairman and members of the Ceremonials Committee, Senate, Management and members of the University community for their presence.

The lecture attracted Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, staff and students of the University as well as philanthropists, family members. 

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Directorate of Public Affairs 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor 

Bingham University