Walking with Flensted.

What is your name?
#Flensted Omiunu


What is your position/work? What do you do?
#Am working as a General Manager in a construction company and am an Architect.

What is your relationship to Sheila?
#She is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Why are you passionate about Christian Education?
#I love imparting knowledge, it's my gift.

What is the biggest challenge you see in the education system in Nigeria? Why?
#Government needs to invest in the sector, teachers need to improve themselves and parents need to get involved in their wards' education.

What is your dream for education in Nigeria?
#Good education, affordable and available to all.

What will it take to bring about transformation?
#A leader; president or minister who has a passion for education.

What do you see as YOUR role in bringing about that transformation?
#Becoming a teacher.

What have you learned while interacting and “walking with” Sheila?
#If we could replace the word "passion" the word would be "Sheila". Her desire is to educate children.

How can I pray specifically for you in your work/ministry?
#That I am able to achieve my dreams

This week's "Walking With.." feature is a dear friend of mine. I have known Flensted almost as long as I have lived in Nigeria - that's about 14 years!  We have spoken on and off about his potential and passion for teaching.  While he isn't presently teaching in a school in an official capacity, his story is one I hear regularly as I interact with people in Nigeria.  Here is a man interested in teaching - and would make an excellent teacher.  But he is also very aware that a teacher does not have a very high salary which makes it very challenging to support a family on.  And so for now, he does other work and teaching and learning about teaching on the side.  He has been involved in teaching Sunday school, discipleship classes, etc..  It is my prayer that one day he gets his teaching degree and enters the classroom!  There are many professionals who are serving as bankers, lawyers, architects, etc.. in order to provide for their families - but their passion is to teach.  Please join me in praying for Flensted and others like him!

Walking with Mrs. Belolisa.

My name is Ngozi Joy Belolisa.  I am a trained Guidance Counsellor and NILD Level I Therapist, also work with children who learn differently.

Why are you passionate about Christian Education?  It has led me to see the importance of intentional and deliberate planning and choosing of teaching materials. Christian Education has taught me to go the extra mile, to see my students as God image bearers.

What is the biggest challenge you see in the education system in Nigeria? There are many challenges!  Some include the constant change of schemes (what needs to be taught) and pedagogy (how it is taught) policies. There is a neglect of the political history of the nation as well as the high cost of ‘standard’ private schools.

My dream is to see a nation where children from the poor, the average and rich backgrounds attend school in an environment that is conducive, where equal opportunity is given to those who really want to study (not based on Geo-political zones) and where technical and entrepreneur skills are encouraged.  Transformation can only come when the people are transformed by the Word of Truth. When we all become light and salt in our little corners.

Sheila is a friend (even though we only meet during ACSI Steering committee and Prayer Altar meetings)  Her commitment, passion and zeal for the work of the Master in a foreign land.

I see my role in transformation being to be right and do right even when nobody is watching me. Please join me in praying that I will be steadfast in the area of my calling and always look unto God for blessings.

Mrs. Belolisa is the 4th person on the left.

Walking with Mrs. Mary Omesiete.

 What is your name? Mrs. Mary Joy OMESIETE.

What is your position/work? What do you do? I am the Director of a Christian School.

What is your relationship to Sheila?  She is a friend and supports all the Christian schools that are registered members of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).

Why are you passionate about Christian Education? It is about discipling, mentoring and raising godly seeds who will fulfill God's mandate.

What is the biggest challenge you see in the education system in Nigeria? Why? Training. You cannot give what you do not have.

What is your dream for education in Nigeria? A sector that is well funded.

What will it take to bring about transformation? Training and quality control.

What do you see as YOUR role in bringing about that transformation? Mentoring and Training

What have you learned while interacting and “walking with” Sheila? She is a servant leader.

How can I pray specifically for you in your work/ministry? Commitment and excellence in the things of God.