Victoria Shikaan

Reverend Dr. Mrs. Mgohol Victoria Shikaan was born on July 16th, 1968, as a member of the Ayua family. Her parents were Late Mr. John Ayua Ingbiase and Mrs. Martina Kwaghza Ayua. Her roots trace back to Ukan in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State. Among her mother’s ten children, she holds the position of the fifth child, and among her father’s twenty-four children, she is the twelfth.

Reverend Victoria Shikaan is happily married to Reverend Thomas Orsar Shikaan, and together they have been blessed with four children: Sater Nder, Stephen Shikaan, Alpha Shikaan, and David Shikaan. Within the Shepherd Commission, she serves as the Director of Education and also holds a pastoral role at Spirit Life Christian Assembly.

Early Life and Background

Education

Dr. Victoria Shikaan embarked on her educational journey starting with Central Primary School in Gboko. She later transferred to NKST Primary School in 1976. Her commitment to academic excellence and leadership qualities were evident from an early age, even in the face of eye challenges. Remarkably, she was recommended for a prefect appointment in primary four, and in primary five, she assumed the role of assistant Head Girl at her school. Her exceptional qualities persisted in secondary school, where she served as the senior prefect (Head Girl) among the pioneer students of Divine Love Catholic Girls Secondary School in Katsina-Ala. Throughout her primary and secondary education, she consistently ranked among the top three students academically.

At her graduation, she received recognition as the best-behaved student and the top academic achiever among the pioneer set of Divine Love Catholic Girls Secondary School in Katsina-Ala.

In 1987, she pursued further education at the College of Education in Katsina-Ala, specializing in Biology and Chemistry. During this period, she entered into matrimony with Reverend T.O Shikaan and joined him at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he held a teaching position. She enrolled in Integrated Science and completed her studies in 1994. Following her graduation, she participated in the Youth Service Program in Kaduna State. Her primary assignment took place at the Total Child Bible School from 1994 to 1995. During this time, she also undertook a basic course on Child Evangelism and worked as a child missionary with CEM.

Dr. Victoria Shikaan continued her service with CEM as a senior children’s missionary worker and as the headmistress of Total Child Bible School in Samaru, Zaria. This dedication to ministry persisted until her family relocated to Makurdi, Benue State in 1998, where they embarked on pioneering a new ministry endeavor. She remained committed to ministry until 2002 when she felt a divine calling to further her studies.

While collaborating with her husband, Reverend T.O Shikaan, in establishing their first school, The Shepherd Heritage Academy in Makurdi, she pursued a master’s degree at Benue State University in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in 2002. Here, she earned a Master of Education degree in Science Education.

In 2007, she pursued a Doctorate Degree in the same department, ultimately attaining a PhD in Science Education. In the summer of 2013, she traveled to the United States of America, where she participated in a week-long intensive training program. This program, hosted by Rice University in Houston, Texas, focused on early literacy, child development, writing, and culture, all under the School of Literacy and Culture.

Career

Following her secondary education, Reverend Dr. Mrs. Victoria Mgohol Shikaan began her professional journey by working as a cashier for Great Nigeria Supplies in Gboko from 1986 to 1987.

After completing her first degree, she dedicated herself to the Children Evangelical Ministry in Zaria. During her time with the ministry, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, eventually rising to the position of headmistress. Her devotion to this role continued until her family decided to relocate to Makurdi.

In Makurdi, she became an integral part of her husband’s ministry efforts, actively participating in nurturing both children and adults in their faith journey. Together with her husband, they established The Shepherd Heritage Academy, New Covenant Christian College, and other primary schools in various locations, including Katsina-Ala, Wannune in Tarkaa L.G.A, and several other places across Benue State.

The other side

At the age of 16, while she was in Form Four, a significant turning point occurred in Dr. Victoria’s life. In 1994, her father passed away, and shortly thereafter, her mother, the primary breadwinner, fell ill. This period was described as a “light-off” moment for her family, as the prospects of continuing her education seemed bleak. However, she firmly believes that God intervened to ensure they didn’t have to drop out of school.

During school breaks, she and her sister took on their mother’s trade to support themselves in their educational pursuits. With the assistance of her late grandmother, they managed to complete their secondary education.

Victoria Shikaan faced a two-session hiatus while she worked to raise funds and collect her WAEC results. Subsequently, she enrolled in the College of Education Kastina-Ala. It was during this challenging period that her employer, Mr. Timothy Aondoakaa, whom she had served diligently, generously offered to sponsor her education.

Encounter With Jesus

As a student, Dr. Mrs. Victoria Shikaan underwent a profound transformation when she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ during one of the special programs hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Students (F.C.S). This pivotal moment occurred within the confines of the college’s Geography room.

Victoria Shikaan reflects with gratitude on a significant aspect of her faith journey. She had been afflicted with an eye problem that necessitated visits to various hospitals, including the National Eye Center in Kaduna. Her mother even had to sell some property to cover the costs of Victoria’s medical treatments. However, her eye condition only began to stabilize after she surrendered her life to Christ and was subsequently prayed for by Brother Gbile Akanni at a crusade organized by the FCS a few months later.

Family Life

While pursuing her NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education) program, Dr. Mrs. Victoria Shikaan embarked on another significant journey: marriage to Rev. T.O. Shikaan, which took place in December 1987. Remarkably, she was still a student at the time. Her husband was retained at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria after his service as a graduate assistant. Following the completion of her NCE, she joined him in Zaria to commence a degree program.

During her undergraduate studies, Victoria Shikaan welcomed the arrival of two boys within a span of three years. Despite the demands of motherhood, she managed to graduate within the stipulated six semesters, achieving commendable academic results. This resilient and determined pursuit of her education did not deter her from successfully completing her degree program.

Throughout the years, she has remained happily married to Rev. T.O. Shikaan, and their union has been blessed with four children:

1. Sater Nder
2. Pastor Stephen Shikaan
3. Pastor Alpha Shikaan
4. David Shikaan

Healed of Cancer

In 1995, Reverend Dr. Mrs. Victoria Shikaan received a devastating diagnosis of cancer at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). However, divine intervention changed the course of her health journey. Supported by her spiritual father, Bishop David Bakare, and fellow believers from the Jesus is Life Word Outreach Ministry (JAWOM), fervent prayers were offered.

During this challenging period, she embarked on a seven-day fast. On the final day of this fast, around 9 AM, she experienced a profound encounter with God. In a vision, she witnessed the heavens opening, accompanied by indescribable worship. During this heavenly experience, an angel descended from above, removed the lump in her armpit, displayed it to her, and then ascended back to heaven. Upon waking from this vision, she discovered that the affected area had returned to normal. Subsequently, she returned to the hospital, where the consultant surgeon confirmed her to be in good health.

Back to Makurdi

As God was working in Victoria Shikaan’s life, her husband, Rev. Thomas Shikaan, was also having his own unique experiences. These experiences ultimately led him to make a significant decision: resigning from his position as a lecturer at ABU Zaria. Throughout this period, he continually shared the revelations he received.

By January 1998, it became abundantly clear that God’s plan was for them to return to Benue State. Victoria Shikaan was already prepared for ministry and had no reservations or fears. With unwavering faith, they boldly relocated to Makurdi to commence their work.

Graduate Studies

While deeply immersed in her ministry pursuits, the idea of furthering her education had momentarily slipped from her mind. However, in 2001, Dr. Shikaan had what she describes as an audible message from God during a night vision. In this profound experience, she was instructed to obtain a form and enroll in a postgraduate program.

Acting upon this divine guidance, Dr. Shikaan inquired and discovered that the course of her interest had recently been introduced at the master’s level in the Faculty of Education at Benue State University. In 2002, she embarked on her Master’s Degree journey, studying under the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. This period proved to be a rigorous and refining phase in her life.

As she neared the completion of her master’s program, her husband encouraged her to consider pursuing a PhD. Seeking divine confirmation, she inquired of the Lord and received a vision in which she was seen successfully defending a PhD. Encouraged by this divine guidance, she enthusiastically enrolled in a PhD program, ultimately achieving this significant academic milestone.

Oversea Training

Dr. Victoria Shikaan held a strong desire to embark on a foreign trip, specifically to acquire additional training in early childhood education. In a remarkable turn of events, she found herself connected with a woman who possessed the information she sought. Astonishingly, she was granted a multiple-entry Visa to the United States through what she considers a divine intervention.

Within a matter of months, all the necessary arrangements were finalized for her journey. During her two-week stay in America, she had an enriching and fulfilling experience, gaining valuable insights and knowledge in the field of early childhood education.

References:

1. Power Magazine: pastor Dr Mrs Victoria Shikaan: A profile.
2. Programme brochureof thanksgiving sservice in honour of Pastor Dr. mrs Victoria Shikaan on Saturday, 7th December, 2013, at Spirit Life Christian Assembly.