CU marks 5th Founder’s Day in colour

It was a week of colour, praises, sweet reminiscences, external impact and validation, through concrete testimonials, of the glorious vision that birthed Covenant University, as the University marked the 5th anniversary of its Founder’s Day.

The weeklong event started on Wednesday, October 18, 2007 with a one- day parley held to x-ray the implications of the proposed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, which is billed to be signed in December 2007.

At the end of the roundtable debate, which attracted dignitaries from within and out side the University, including the Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, Vice Chancellor, Prof Aize Obayan, Registrar, Mr. Yemi Nathaniel and the panel made up of Professor Matthew Ajayi, Dean, College of Business & Social Sciences; Professor Olusola Ojo, Dean, Postgraduate School; Professor Joshua Adewale Thompson Ojo and Dr Jonathan Aremu, Member of Board of Regents of Covenant University, the University took a stand on the issue.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the event, the University called on the Nigerian Government and other African countries to stall the signing of the agreement in December by requesting for an extension of time before the agreement will be signed while efforts will be made within the extension period to strengthen the common position of ACP or to develop alternative policy to avoid further economic enslavement.

It also promised to lead academic discussions aimed at preventing the signing of any agreement that will return the economy back to the path of servitude, saying that a ‘no agreement position is far better than any that is detrimental to the sustainable development of the economy.’

The University reiterated its commitment to lead the other institutions in the country in addressing the impact of the EPA on the various aspects of our national economy, especially as EU has recently refused to shift grounds with respect to the timing, gradual phasing of EPA or permission of alternatives.

The University also used the occasion of the anniversary to further demonstrates its corporate responsiveness and community impact sensitivity to the developmental needs and well being of its host communities. Its students numbering about 7,000 on Saturday, October 20, embarked on environmental sanitation and road mending exercise within the streets of Ota and its environs. The outreach was coordinated under the platform of Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Programme.

The University Management was not left out as it used the occasion to reach out to the needy and the less privileged in the society. The team comprising the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan, the Registrar, Yemi Nathaniel, the Deans and some principal officers also on Saturday visited the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ogun State Branch, Abeokuta, where it made material donations for distribution to motherless babies and old people homes in the state.

Members of the University Management Team led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Aize Obayan making a donation to the Red Cross Society

Explaining the purpose of the visit at the occasion, the Registrar said the visit was in line with the University’s goal of advancing the cause of humanity, adding that the Red Cross, which exists for the same purpose, has the network for the University to express itself in giving succour to the needy in the society.

The Vice Chancellor praised Red Cross for it humanitarian efforts, saying also that the Organization was chosen as a point of visit during the 5th anniversary celebration of the University because it shares the same platform of rescue mission and Christian flavour with Covenant University.

She said that the visit was more than just giving out gifts but an avenue for fostering relationship. “Our Community Development Impact Initiative Committee will be linking up with Red Cross in Ogun State to workout a partnership and also how Red Cross can have a branch in Covenant University”, she further explained, promising that the University would assist Red Cross in the area of human capacity development.

The Vice Chancellor, who made the donation, which included items such as rice, sugar beverages, rice vita, salt, vegetable oil, toilet rolls, Semovitas, towels, writing pads and pens, on behalf on the entire University community, praised the University students who through their Project One Million Souls outreach programme, have been making great impact in ministering both materially and spiritually to the needs of the less privileged in the society, including prison inmates.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Red Cross, Ms Habibat Omotara Biobaku, the State Secretary of the Society in Ogun State who stood in for the State Chairman, Professor Charles Isimeme Ohiku, thanked the Chancellor, Dr Oyedepo and the University Management for the kind gesture and promised that the gifts will get to the people they are meant for. She also regretted that people were still ignorant of the role of the Red Cross and appreciated CU for recognizing the efforts of the Society.

The University management has also made similar donations to three orphanage homes in Ota and Lagos. The homes are Great Joy Orphanage, Iyana-Ipaja, Ijanmido Children’s Home, Ota and Heart Of Gold Orphanage, Lagos.

There was also a novelty football match between CU Staff and CU Students and a special drama presentation by CUTG Coalition, a student outfit, titled, Hebron: The Land of Covenant on Saturday Night.

The activities marking the Founder’s Day were rounded up on Sunday, October 21, 2007 in a two-pronged programme. In the morning there was a thanksgiving service at Faith Tabernacle, where the Winners Family joined hands with Covenant University community in thanking God for His awesome work at Hebron (as the University is known)- the birthplace of kings and queens. The major strides made by the University in the last five years of its existence were captured in an epic documentary film shown at the service. There was also a special 5th Anniversary thanksgiving service at the University Chapel. In attendance were the Chancellor, Dr Oyedepo, Pastor (Mrs.) Faith Oyedepo and members of the Board of Regents of the University.
 

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Obayan, the Registrar, Mr. Yemi Nathaniel, Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Daniel Rotimi and other members of the University community during the thanksgiving service at Faith Tabernacle	A cross section of faculty and staff at the thanksgiving service

In the evening, there was a Founder’s Day Night that featured praise/worship sessions, student presentations, flag (colour) parades by Colleges and testimonies/ special reports from Alumni and 2007 SIWES students as well as an award to the Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo for his outstanding visionary leadership and mentorship.

Some pioneer staff that spoke also used the occasion to reminisce and chronicle the impressions the University has made on their lives. They said it was clear right from the beginning that a new culture and radical approach to academia was being built at Covenant University, adding that the spiritual holding environment and character building dimension of the University have also robbed off on their personal lives.

The testimonies from the platform of 2007 SIWES participants were quite validating. The students who did their six-months industrial work experience scheme as far places as India were commended by their employers for excellent performance, dedication to duties and good character dispositions during the period. Most of them were promised employment after graduation.

President of CU Alumni Association, Mr. Muyiwa Fadugba and Mr. Bayo Komolafe, Executive Secretary during the Founder's Day Night	A cross section of 2007 SIWES participants at the Founder's Day Night

A parent of one of the pioneer graduates of the University, Honourable Justice Oyindamola Oluwayemi Alli of the Lagos High Court who came with her daughter, also gave a heartwarming testimony of the positive impact of the University on her daughter who is already a CEO and employer of labour.

Speaking on behalf of the University Alumni Association, Mr. Muyiwa Fadugba and Mr. Bayo Komolafe, President and Executive Secretary of the Association respectively, who recently joined the faculty of the University as Graduate Assistants alongside 24 others, used the occasion to present a Covenant University they envisioned for the future. The duo said the University in the near future would become an institution of global relevance, taking the lead in the three core areas of teaching, research and community development. They thanked the University for the laudable virtues impacted on them, saying that the values are speaking eloquently through the two sets of graduates so far released by the University.

In her address at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Aize Obayan, who was obviously touched by the testimonies, especially from the SIWES platform, said there was need to think of the future directions of the University and take steps to actualize it. She thanked the Chancellor for his indelible footprints on the sands of Covenant University and thereafter presented an award to him for his outstanding visionary leadership and mentorship.

In his own address at the occasion, the Chancellor, who was full of praises unto God, thanked God, the Founder of Covenant University, for His awesome acts in the University. He said as long as God lives Covenant University products would continue to speak for themselves. He thanked the University community for the honour bestowed on him.

The Founder’s Day Night attracted dignitaries from within and outside Canaan Land.

Click here to view pictures of the event