CCN Holds Leadership Webinar, Challenges Participants to Become the ‘Spark’ of Positive Change

By The Rev’d Uruakpa Onyemaechi Charles

ABUJA, Nigeria | July 9, 2026 – The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening leadership capacity within the Church by organizing a leadership development webinar for members of its staff across the country. The training focused on equipping participants with practical leadership skills for effective service, organizational growth, and national transformation.

The virtual training brought together staff from the CCN National Secretariat, Abuja, the Council’s office in Lagos, and the Institutes of Church and Society (ICS) in Ibadan and Jos. The session was coordinated by the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D., and featured Dr. Basil O. Ibeh, Executive Director of the Dael Institute of Leadership, Lagos, as the Lead Trainer and Resource Person.

In his presentation, Dr. Ibeh emphasized that sustainable organizational success is built on collective effort rather than individual brilliance. He challenged participants to cultivate leadership qualities that inspire teamwork, innovation, and excellence.

Drawing from biblical examples, he introduced what he described as the “Six Characters in Organizational Leadership”—The Jerk, The Slacker, The Downer, The Sponge, The Judas Goat, and The Spark—explaining that every organization consists of individuals whose attitudes either strengthen or weaken institutional effectiveness.

Using the lives of biblical figures including David, Aaron, Joab, and the Twelve Spies, Dr. Ibeh urged participants to become “The Spark”—leaders who inspire others, build healthy organizational cultures, strengthen teamwork, and drive transformational change.

“Leadership is not merely a position but a disposition. The first level of leadership is personal leadership. Be the Spark that empowers people and transforms organizational culture,” he charged.

The webinar attracted 17 participants from various departments and CCN offices nationwide, including the Directors of the Institutes of Church and Society in Ibadan and Jos, programme officers, finance personnel, and administrative staff.

During the interactive session, participant Ogunleye Oladayo Alex expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Ibeh for another impactful presentation. He recalled the positive influence the facilitator had on participants during a physical leadership training held in Ibadan several years ago, noting that the lessons from that programme have continued to shape his leadership journey. He thanked Dr. Ibeh for his consistency in mentoring Christian leaders and prayed for God’s continued strength upon his ministry.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D., described the training as insightful, practical, and timely. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Ibeh for making himself available despite his demanding schedule and appealed to him to continue partnering with the Christian Council of Nigeria whenever called upon to facilitate future leadership development programmes.

The General Secretary also commended all participants for their active engagement and encouraged them to apply the principles learned in strengthening their departments, ministries, and communities.

The webinar concluded with participants renewing their commitment to becoming transformational leaders and “Sparks” of positive change, in line with the Christian Council of Nigeria’s vision of promoting Christian unity, effective leadership, and national transformation.