Babcock University has trained over 100 chaplains at its 16th Annual Chaplaincy Training in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, to strengthen compassionate counselling, ethical care and support for vulnerable people.
The four-day conference, held under the theme, “The Person of the Chaplain: Building Spiritual Wholeness for Effective Ministry,” focused on professional development, self-awareness, interfaith relations and the well-being of chaplains.
The Director of Chaplaincy and programme convener, Pastor Adebowale Adesanya, called for structured sabbaticals and retreats to prevent burnout among chaplains.
Speaking on the topic, “The Professional Helper’s Mask,” Adesanya said authenticity was essential to providing effective care.
“As professionals, we must unmask to be helpers. We are not called to project who we are or who we are not or who others expected. The beauty of caring is authenticity and realness,” he said.
During the plenary sessions, Dr. Samuelle Ngo Ikouba Nfor urged chaplains to listen deeply and confront their inner realities, while the Director of Student Support, Dr. Abidemi Awanane, described self-awareness as the foundation for psychological maturity.
Another facilitator, Pastor Sobalaje Adewuyi, emphasised the importance of private intercession in ministry, while Professor Efe Ehioghae outlined a framework for ethics and accountability.
Chaplain Sunday Adelakin, Director of the Pastoral Care Department and Chair of the Ethics Committee at North Mississippi Health Services in the United States, also stressed the importance of interfaith competence and unconditional respect.
Participants highlighted the need for chaplains to acknowledge their vulnerabilities and seek support when necessary.
Student chaplain Praise Obioma said, “It’s okay to be vulnerable. Chaplains are also human. Seeking help is not weakness but strength.”
Pastor Chinedum Nwanchukwu also emphasised authenticity and openness in ministry, while Chaplain Oluwatoyin Awoniyi highlighted the importance of self-awareness.
The training concluded with a five-point communiqué calling for renewed commitment to ethical and interfaith-competent care, mandatory Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) qualifications for chaplains, and the integration of chaplains into healthcare teams.
The communiqué also recommended establishing an Adventist Uniformed Services Fellowship and prioritising chaplains’ well-being.
The University Pastor and Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life, Dr. Opeyemi Oladosu, said the commitments would strengthen chaplaincy in Nigeria and support broader efforts to promote human dignity and well-being among vulnerable populations.
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