Our Philosophy

Religion Studies as offered as academic discipline in the College is a field of study integrating Judeo-Christianity & African Traditional Religion. In keeping with the philosophy of the University of Calabar, the programme emphasizes the application of religious truth to the cultural environment of Africa. Students are exposed to the basic theological positions of Islam and other world religions with emphasis on Christianity and this enables them to understand their environment and hence able to master their destinies.

Our Objectives

The general objectives of the programme are to provide students with adequate knowledge, attitudes, values and skills generic to religion and cultural studies. Specifically the programme is drawn to provide students with basic methods of:

	Interpreting the Bible and Christian tradition from an African perspective
	Explaining ethical relationship in a multi-religious society like Nigeria
	Delineating impartial approach towards the handling of religious concepts
	Resolving conflict from religious and Afro-cultural standpoints
	Handling problems and challenges of religious belief in a science oriented environment
	Explaining the resilience and challenges of African Traditional Religious and Cultural belief in a Christian-dominated environment

Scope

Religious Studies Programme harnesses appropriate knowledge to incorporating students’ penchant and interest in the quality as well as cordial human relationship in a multi-religious and morally decadent society. It acquaints students with core contents of Christianity, African Traditional Religion and cultural practices, the basic content of Islam and Eastern Religions. The programme lasts for 3-4 years depending on entry qualification. The programme is carefully structured to reflect adequately those required areas of knowledge, strengthening the rudiments of Jodeo-Christianity and African Traditional Religion. Students are expected to learn the dynamics of religion in a multi-religio-cultural environment as Nigeria. Basic ethical demands in Afro-cultural environment are stressed. In the final year the programme is designed to apply Christian and African Traditional Religious beliefs to conflict resolution. The problems of Early Christianity and the resilience of African Cultural practices are highlighted.

Mission Statements

Nigerian Christian Bible College is a private Christian Institution committed to a high academic and moral excellence in preparing students to develop their total being. The overall mission of the College states that “Nigerian Christian Bible College exists to provide opportunities for acadmic excellence in the training of preachers, teachers and missionaries for the service of the church and government in the entire Nigerian society and beyond”. The College’s ministerial program exists primarily to prepare men (now women as well) to become teachers, preachers and missionaries well groomed in “character and learning’. The purpose of admitting ladies into the ministerial program in recent years is equally to prepare them into women who would be highly and skillfully qualified to assist their husband either as preachers/elders’ wives or as experts in children’s class programs as well as professionals to handle several women gospel fora. The College has had to go into training or women having discovered through researches the dangers associated either with the preachers marrying untrained ladies of like vocations or using untrained ladies in teaching the bible in several congregations. The ministerial programs’ mission statement is, “training and equipping for Christian service”….and having the Bible at the center of the curriculum. These programs “provide opportunities for academic excellence relevant for services of the church and government in the Nigerian and African societies as well as abroad.

Its philosophy is one with that of the mother University-the University of Calabar: to restore the dignity of man. It is concerned with religious aspect of man in society, especially the black man in third world. Religion is studied in its three areas of expression in Nigeria: Judeo-Christian, African and Islamic.

It started with offering a two year diploma with emphasis in all of the three stressed areas. After the civil war it continued offering an initial diploma programmes and later undergraduate diploma in Religious Studies and Bachelor of Arts degree levels with emphasis on Christian Religious Studies/Education. The College has developed considerably over the years in terms of variety and levels of courses and programmes being offered.

Impact of Mission Statement on Our Students

	NCBC graduates should be able to reason critically, logically and ` effectively and communicate their thoughts and ideas to others.
	They should constantly recognize that the love for truth leads ultimately to a life of service as citizens, workers and educated members of the society.
	At NCBC, students strive for a standard of excellence in Christian living as they are encouraged to participate daily and regularly in various campus devotionals.
	Students at NCBC study under faculty members who are committed Christians and who themselves have the appropriate scholarly training.
	At NCBC, students are expected to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct of integrity, priority of thoughts and actions, modest dressing, abstinence from the use of drugs, alcohol/tobacco and absence from all forms of sexual immorality.
	NCBC challenges students to become socially responsible citizens of the society and to become builders of their homes as individuals, mates and parents.
	And beyond every other consideration, NCBC challenges students to understand that, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge”

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission into the B.A. (Ed.) Programme in Religious Students must possess one of the under listed qualifications.

	Five credits passes including English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge in not more 2 sittings of either WAEC/NECO/GCE examinations.
	Teacher’s Grade II Certificate with Credit/Merit in at least five relevant subjects (including English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge) obtained at nor more than two sittings.
	Candidates who apply through the Joint Admission and Matriculations Examinations Board (JAMB) are eligible.
	Applicants with additional diploma (at merit or credit level) or NCE (religious or Related Studies) from a recognized institutions may be admitted to complete the programme in three years instead of four years.

Job Opportunities

Graduates of the College have opportunities to undertake advances studies in disciplines associated with religious and socio-cultural studies. Consultancy and employment opportunities abound in Bible translation agencies locally and internationally for graduates of Religious and Cultural Studies. Graduates of this programme are also trained to work in corporate bodies, companies and institutions as Public Relations Personnel and other related opportunities which require high ethical principles, as well as in conflict resolution related outfits.

With a degree in Religious and Cultural Studies/Education, students gain analytical skills and ability to formulate and defend positions. Thus they are idea candidates for pursuing a carrier in business and administration. Jobs more closely related to religious and cultural studies is Lay Ministry/Pastoral Caregiver, Counselor, Community Advisor, Management Trainer, Customer Services Representative, Community Project Coordinator, Aid Organization Administrator, Government/Institution Policy Analyst, Peace Corps Officer, Ministry of Arts and Culture. They can also engage in self-employment as consultants.

Academic Facilities

	Cato Library The Willie Cato’s Memorial Library holds about 14,000 classified and catalogued books and some 5,000 unclassified volumes, journals and periodicals. These volumes of books are made of professional journals and periodicals from different fields of study, but a greater percentage is from the field of religion. Cataloguing is based upon the Deway Decimal Classification System (DDC) since this is most appropriate for smaller volumes in small academic libraries such as Theological institution libraries.
	Other Library Services There are book binding and photocopying services attached to the library as well as reserved and reference books sections. Cato Library equally has a study space which can accommodate one hundred students at a time. NCBC’s graduates are now mobilized in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Scheme.
	Computers/Audio-Visual Classroom Nigerian Christian Bible College, Ukpom Abak has functional instructional facilities to enhance effective teaching and learning. The Visual Classroom and ICT provides a secure storage space for the computers and other audio/visual equipments. These computers are connected to NCBC’s Starlink Internet.

Health Facilities

The College has set up an infirmary to promote the health care as well as meet the health needs of the students and the immediate college environment. The infirmary is often managed by experience medical professionals; some of whom have had advanced degrees, diplomas, and certificates in nursing, medicine and pharmacy. However, difficult cases are often referred to the nearby specialist hospital in Ukpom.

Students' Activities

Students’ activities: NCBC students have uncommon opportunities to pursue an education within a Christian environment. The uniqueness of NCBC is her emphasis on a Christ-centered life within the College’s community. This is done through interaction and participation in academic, spiritual and social organizations.

Extra-curricular Activities

Opportunities for spiritual enrichment abound in NCBC. Some of these include: Periodic daily/weekly classes, chapel and of these include: Periodic daily weekly classes, chapel and worship services where regula attendances are usually encouraged. Other activities on campus offer student’s opportunities to grow personally while serving others. These include:

	Chapel Faculty and students are required to attend worship services regularly; as well as visit numerous congregations found in Abak and the adjoining Local Government Areas and other states in the federation and beyond.
	Devotional Morning, evening and mid-week devotional services are prominent features of campus life.
	Spirituality Groups To further make students academically sound as well as field and pulpit-worthy, the college has officially embraced two major programs: The Preachers Club: This program is designed to enable the students showcase their hermeneutical and homiletical knowledge as they are critiqued and evaluated by instructors in order to hone their preaching skills and make them better pulpit handlers. Missions Club: This is designed and aimed at exposing and encouraging students on the missional responsibility of the Church. Prayer and Mission Group: This group constitutes three units. The Church History unit, Prison and Hospital Ministry units. This group helps to propagate the Gospel in un-churched areas, visit the prisoners and console patients in the hospital.
	Lectureships The College organizes Bible Lectureship annually, and this is held in August. It features outstanding speakers from Nigeria and abroad. Themes and topics conform to Biblical doctrines.
	Workshop and Seminar Workshop and Seminars are organized annually for preachers, leaders and their spouses from churches of Christ. The workshop and seminar are known for their practical approach to the Lord’s work, and for the sweet fellowship.
	Students' Weekend Evangelism Students go out on weekends to preach. These weekends preaching experiences help church immensely and serve to increase the skills of the students.
	One Month Preaching Practice By the end of each school year, students are assigned to undertake a month preaching practice with various local churches, under the supervision of an approved minister/teacher. The purpose of these activities is to expose the students to field work and create unique opportunities for them to learn by practice. Such field work bridges the gap between the various congregations and NCBC. Students are expected to turn in the reports of their evangelistic work at the end of this exercise. In addition, congregations served and/or the supervising teaching/minister is expected to submit a true and sincere evaluation of the student’s work. These reports help NCBC re-assess her training programme.
	Social Clubs Approximately 40% of NCBC student population is involved in social clubs. These are exciting avenues for social clubs. These are exciting avenus for social development on campus and they are opened to all students. Some of the notable clubs are: The Communication
	The Communication Arts Clubs The objectives of the club include: 1. To educate 2. To entertain 3. To informed
	Choral Group Students are developed in learning, directing and teaching songs through music and song concerts. The group also entertains during the college’s social and other religious functions.
	Researcher's Club Members of this club share pieces of information and facts obtained through studious inquiry and examination with the College Community.

Examinations

NCBC conducts her examinations in the following ways:

(a) Continuous Assessment; This is done in the course of the semester by means of term papers, by weekly quizzes, tests and assignments. The continuous assessment constitutes 40% of the grade point.

(b) Final Examinations: The final examination on the courses is usually conducted at the end of every semester. The maximum aggregate that can be scored is 60% to make up the 40% aggregate scored through the continuous assessment of students. And to qualify for the examination at the end of the semester, the students must have been:

Grading System

The performance of students is scored according to a grading system where the percentage score is converted to a grade point equivalent to letters A,B,C,D,E,F as follows. The minimum pass score is 40% and converted to grade point letter E, equivalent to grade point one. The maximum score of 70% - 100% is converted to letter A, equivalent to grade point 5.

Any unpassed compulsory course may be repeated in the next available semester when the course may be repeated in the next available semester when the course is being taught as a carry-over. An unpassed elective course may be substituted by another elective provided the student meets minimum required courses for graduation.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CPGA)

This point obtained by the average of all grade points and indicates the overall performance of a student at any stage in the programme. Where the CGPA is below 1,00, the student is place on probation and may be required to withdraw from the programme it it so continues.

External Examinations

As it is done in other tertiary institutions, NCBC engages the services of external examiners. These external examiners are drawn from the Universities. They moderate the examination questions and examine in a public forum the long essay projects. Their views are always taken very seriously. The final vesting of examination results is done by the Departments of Education and Religious Studies of the University of Calabar.

Courses As Available