By Ayodele Popoola

No fewer than 34 new officers have graduated into the cadet level in the Chaplain Corps of Nigeria (TCCN) in Ondo State.

At the ceremony attended by representatives of heads of security agencies in the state, the commissioned Chaplains were charged to face squarely the challenges of the society and contribute to its peace and betterment.

The induction ceremony, which was held at the Cenotaph in Akure, the State Capital, also featured official inauguration of the State Commandant, decoration of executive officers, and award presentation to eminent personalities for their contributions to societal development.

The Corps Commandant General, Sam Kenny Balogun, while commissioning the officers, said they are being empowered to render selfless service to God and humanity without hindrance.

Balogun pointed out that the new Chaplains have been well-trained to correct societal ills, even as he charged officers not to intimidate society with their uniforms or rub shoulders with others, but contribute their quota towards the peace of the society and also help humanity.

He charged the newly commissioned officers to live up to expectations as society is expecting more from them, saying “I urged you to maintain peace and orderliness as Chaplains are supposed to be pace-setters in society, showing to the public the best way to behave and serve God.”

He equally called for synergy to complement efforts in securing the lives and property of the citizenry, adding that the organization is not rival with other security agencies.

He encouraged all well-meaning individuals, government, and private organizations to join them to pull resources together to carry out the God-given assignment given to them for the good of society.

Earlier, the State Chaplain Commandant, Brigadier Adedayo Harrison, explained that the Corps activities in the state have spread to eight Local Government areas, with 108 officers spread across the areas.

He said the newly inducted 34 intakes would further strengthen the Corps’ humanitarian activities including showing love to the officer’s families,  assisting the less privileged children of the uniform men and the needy, and also taking the gospel of God to prison inmates and the sick in the hospitals.

“We also provide necessary information to the security agencies to complement their efforts in securing the lives and property of the citizenry,” Adebayo said.

The Chaplain Corps of Nigeria (TCCN) is a non-combatant, non-governmental organization with a vision and mission to intercede for all branches of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and to see the spiritual turnaround of the Armed Forces with a mind filled with the fear of God as they serve the great nations of our world.