Nigerian church leader completes doctoral study on peacebuilding.

The peace coordinator for Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), Toma H. Ragnjiya, has completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Ashland (Ohio) Seminary. He was awarded the degree on Dec. 15. His thesis is titled, “Create a Model for Peace-Building in the Ethno-Religious Conflict of Kaduna, Nigeria, and Evaluate Its Effectiveness for Achieving Peaceful Coexistance."

Ragnjiya's family is from the Margi people, a group that includes both Muslims and Christians. Having served previously in the positions of general secretary and president of EYN, he most recently has filled the relatively new position of peace coordinator. His study has been supported by the Global Mission Partnerships office of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Bradley Bohrer, director of the General Board's Sudan mission initiative, was an advisor on his final thesis review committee.

Given the post-911 difficulties of bringing Nigerian church leaders to the US for study at Bethany Theological Seminary, the Global Mission Partnerships office is also assisting another EYN leader, Yakubu Joseph, for study in peace at the University for Peace. UPEACE is a United Nations-mandated entity in Costa Rica.

Source: 01/02/2008 Newsline