In 2016, Lillian Agoba Okotie (my spouse) and I decided to make contributions to BTS Eku in form of this scholarship program, but actually did the first scholarship presentation in 2018. I learnt that many of the seminarians were finding it difficult to pay their school fees. I was additionally informed by Pastor Jolomi Edema (now Revered) who is a graduate of the seminary that some of the students had to withdraw from the seminary due to their inability to pay school fees. He went on to also inform me that the seminary president, Rev Dr Goodfriday Aghawenu was very sympathetic towards such withdrawals.

On this note, I felt very strongly and still feel very strongly to date that “any man or woman who have dedicated his or her life to the service of God, should not have to worry about ordinary school fee”. I believe that it is our responsibility, as laymen, to provide for the clergy who hae chosen the path of the service of God in place of comfort. I decided to tqke the bull by the horn and contributed my quota.

Preparation for Awards:

A team was formed at this time to ensure that the proposed scholarship funds only went to deserving students. The team was and is still made up of: Hon Nurudeen Ohwavborua, (Board Chairman), Ovie Fred Okotie (Founder & Financier), Rev Jolomi Edema; (Co-ordinator), Rev Dr Ambrose Akpotor (Adviser). A memo was passed out to all students and pasted on the school's and student body's notice board inviting students to apply for this scholarship if they felt they needed it. Interested students submitted applications to the Coordinator and were invited for a follow up interview.

The Board reviewed the application and interview performance and selected the students based on the severity of their needs. This process is still being used till date and any form of compromise is not acceptable. I decided to withdraw my self from the selection process to foster transparency: I only know the names of the seminarians receiving the scholarship on the day of the presentation. I also do not know any of the students and none of them is related to me to the best of my knowledge.

According to Chief Mrs. Queen Inaba-Akerele (presently age 68: the only granddaughter of Pa Okotie who lived with him for many years during her childhood days), this vast forest land spanned from the big massive tree in Okorore called “Okpagharode” (beside the old road) to where the Baptist Theological Seminary is right now.