INTRODUCTION:
The term “university” has a longstanding history. The first university appeared as far back as the fifteenth century with the formation of the University of Paris and the University of Bologna (1150AD). In this 21st Century, emphasis is placed on the university’s role in disseminating and advancing knowledge through scholarship and research. Universities are designed to cater for change in an increasingly ‘knowledge-based’ society.

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury in his speech given in Wuhan, China (Friday 13th October, 2006) said the following about a university, “ so far, the definition of the university seems to be completely dominated by the ideal of training in what in Europe we call ‘humanistic’ study, and to leave room for what we tend to think of now as the most characteristic feature of university life at its best-original research, the discovery of new perspectives and the new facts”. It is suggested then that university should teach concepts, not handling of tools. Tools come and go over time, but the concepts are what are behind all those tools and one should master the concept in order to be able to handle any tool that does the job well. So university is about education- teaching people how to use their brains and think. New challenges should not scare us, as we have the wherewithal to work out how to solve them.

JUST THINKING
I am privileged to be an alumnus of three universities in Britain (University of Salford, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, and University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne). The experiences gathered from these universities, especially in their chemical engineering departments, have continued to influence my thinking. These universities are not stagnant and they are always winning research grants. Always breaking new grounds. My Professor as far back as 1983 when I got my Ph.D. was a consultant to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Programme at Dunrea, England. This type of industrial linkage is very important for Covenant University. It allows relevant research to be carried out, as the users of the research output are waiting for the results. Solving industries and community problems should be part of university challenge.

I taught extensively at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and I put a number of useful things in place including a strong linkage with chemical industries. I am happy about Covenant University in that students are prepared for their future professional career through application-oriented instruction.

In chemical engineering, provision of large interfacial area is very important for chemical reaction and/or mass transfer. These can be achieved by using different types of impellers for agitation. In thinking, another source of achieving large interfacial area is by the use of electrostatic as shown in figures 1 and 2. The electrical energy is used directly for the separation of metal ions in solution in figure 1, while figure 2 is applicable for car spraying.

When we have our shower, it is noticeable that the further away we are from the stationary showerhead, the cooler the water becomes. This experience must have been part of what informed the design of cooling towers. As the spray goes through the air it losses an amount of heat.

Before the advent of gunpowder, cutlass, axe, arrows were in use. The discovery of gunpowder, which is a mixture of sulphur, carbon and other items, led to its various uses. The discovery of petroleum then led to the production of benzene hence TNT (Tri-nitro-toluene) by the nitration of benzene. TNT is a very powerful chemical explosive.

We should always take notice of our experiences as we go through this life if we are to discover something new. May I add that the path of an apple falling on somebody’s head, and noticing it, has lead to the idea of gravitational pull.

In Nigeria, people hardly have time to think. Demands push in the direction of seeking paths of survival, and in some unfortunate casessurvival of the fittest, like in the jungle. Out there, getting to work is a challenge, getting children to school is a challenge, having a good environment is a challenge, to have constant electricity is a challenge and water challenge is not left out. The condition on the street sometimes is near madness. You are driving lawfully and somebody is coming on the wrong way and still expects you to leave the way for him.

I thank Jesus for Covenant University and the Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, for birthing the University. We have more time to think and make the impact.

CONCLUSION
I am happy to be on board of this flight and I am confident in God that we are going places. I thank the Chancellor of the University, the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar and the Principal officers of this University for letting me share my thoughts with you.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.