Hope Channel, Babcock Partner on Global Health, Evangelism Outreach

Funmi Ogundare

Hope Channel International is partnering with Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, to expand global health outreach and gospel evangelism ahead of the church’s ‘Arise in Hope’, mega satellite campaign, and its ‘Reach 1 Billion by 2030’ initiative.

The collaboration was strengthened during a visit by a delegation from Hope Channel International to the university, where the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, represented by the Senior Vice-President (Academics), Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, received the team and expressed delight at the proposed partnership.

Vice President of Hope Channel International and Associate Communication Director at the General Conference, Dr Sam Neves, said the initiative aims to reach one billion people by 2030, adding that Nigeria’s large population makes it critical to adopt emerging technologies capable of reaching underserved and restricted audiences.

“Our goal is to reach one billion people by 2030. Nigeria’s large population makes it vital to move beyond traditional media and embrace emerging technologies that can reach unreached populations, including those in restricted regions,” he said.

The team lead, Dr Ezekiel Adeleye, Pro-Chancellor of Babcock University and President of the Western Nigeria Union Mission, underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing the church’s evangelism and health education efforts.

Other members of the delegation included Elder Abraham Bakri, Communication Director for the Church’s West-Central Africa Division; Pastor John Alabi, Evangelism Coordinator of the Western Nigeria Union Conference; US-based Bible workers Joseph and Veronica Somers; and Elder George Egwakhe, retired Associate Treasurer at the General Conference.

The visit focused on preparations for the mega media evangelism programme scheduled for April 26 to May 9, 2026, at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports Complex. The event is expected to be one of the largest outreach efforts in recent times.

Among the key speakers for the programme are Elder Paul Douglas, Treasurer of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Prof. Afolarin Ojewole; and Dr Chidi Ngwaba, a British physician specialising in lifestyle Medicine and plant-based nutrition, known for his work in reversing chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.