THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY

The Chancellor

As we begin to explore on what a University represents, I will like to say that a University is a place where solutions to societal problems are found and value added to humanity. A University is not monastery but a factory that produces values and drives research. The real value of a university is only established by the problems it solves. In order to be relevant as a University, we must continue to engage in research that will solve the problem of the society. As long as we remain regimented we will continue to be relegated.

Dr. David Oyedepo

 There’s a need for a rediscovery of our true identity because wherever there is liberty, dignity is restored and it doesn’t have to be white to be right. Let us rush in to maximize the opportunity of this dark hour in Africa to the original ideas of creating knowledge, solving practical problems, being committed to developing products and keep exploring new vistas in our various areas of endeavour both morally and socially.

The Board of Regents of CU is committed to making Covenant University a research base institution and will do everything possible to realize that even if it means sensitizing and motivating the faculty. I see problem as an opportunity for thinkers and without problem to solve, there won’t have CU in the first. Instability in the school system and the deplorable state of our Universities necessitated the establishment of the University. Which problem are you solving now? You must create solutions that generations after us will be grateful for. You don’t grow big to manage well but you manage well to grow big. If our generation had managed well, definitely we won’t be battling with the present problem we have today. Commitments to creating solution for himself and others have always been the problem of man.

Every problem, I have discovered, has solution but there is no problem solver, which make it insurmountable. I am permanently committed to creating solutions to problems all the remaining days of my life.

I urge the faculty to stretch the University by research programmes and activities because Covenant University is committed to solving problems. The University has done well in the area of teaching as evident in our graduates who are now being sort after in the society. But it is time we extend that to research and formulation of products. This University would have failed in its mission if it ends up a teaching University. I have vowed never to run a substandard organization. I bear a passion in my heart to provide a solution that our nation and Africa need. We must wake up from our slumber and rekindle the fire for revival of research in this part of the world. I urged the professors to keep on professing till death because there are more problems to be solved.

I am eagerly waiting to see us create institutes, centers and programmes geared towards real life problems on sound intellectual base so that we can move forwards. It takes men on the move to make moves. Nothing energizes like a well-defined target. In the next four years, we will not just be turning out graduates but products.

Let therefore keep ruminating over the issues that will be propounded on this platform as we seek to create the future we desire of African Universities in our time and for future generations.