For the position of
VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN BOARD MEMBER
Obinnaya Genbrite IHEOMA
Pastor Obi is an ordained Church minister. He actively volunteers as a police chaplain and part-time chaplain for the University of Birmingham. He is interested in contributing his expertise to set direction in policing and driving the progress for the public through the chaplaincy.
We are Collaborative.
In His current role as part-time chaplain at the University of Birmingham’s multi-faith chaplaincy, he diligently engages in collaborating and organising inter-faith events to educate people and foster harmony on campus, working with faith leaders and chaplains from Christian, Islam, Jewish, Sikh and other faith groups along with a representation from no-faith.
Further, he had the privilege of completing a master’s programme in Leadership and Management whereas part of my final dissertation, he conducted a comprehensive case study addressing issues on quality assurance, equality and diversity.
Cultivating key transferable skills required for strategic planning, such as organisation, project management, team leadership, target development, staff training, presentation skills and effective public communication, crucial to effective Board member role.
We are Emotionally Aware.
He has been privileged to receive a Christian education, attending St. Johns Anglican Primary School and later, a Methodist College. He was ordained as a minister of religion after completing a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Wales. Following his ordination, he was posted to Scotland to pastor three congregations. His dissertation for Theology degree, focussed on ‘Providing pastoral care in multicultural Britain’. His comprehensive education and exposure have prepared him for the challenges and expectations the role of a Board Member and its demands.
Deliver, Support, and Inspire.
While providing chaplaincy services during the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed articles to the chaplaincy newsletter, inspiring and demonstrating alternative ways of managing pastoral care provision. He had the opportunity to visit bereaved police officers, ensuring proper maintenance of social distancing rules.
During his role as chaplain, he inspired police officers to participate in community-building activities and have encouraged cooperation between the NPUs he served and the larger community. As part of his pastoral support, he organises regular endurance walks for staff and community, acting as a significant resource where faith and operational issues interact.
During the recent lockdown, he made use of my advanced communications and Information Technology skills to inspire and sustain online community programmes. He provided both in-person and online pastoral support to the community, including providing mathematics support to the families of police officers, which resulted in a high retention and achievement rate. This, in turn, has enhanced the appreciation of pastoral care by the police staff, inspiring other volunteer chaplains to think more critically about how they fulfil their duties.
During the recent Commonwealth Games hosted in Birmingham, He actively provided support to the police officers managing the events. Moreover, He organised a table tennis tournament for the officers who were not directly involved in the games.
His professional development record is testimony to the fact that he is willing to undergo any training necessary to ensure that he is fully successful on the board.
Name & Force of Proposer - Khadija Sulaiman - West Midlands Police
Name & Force of Seconder - David Baker - West Midlands Police
