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  • Cut food prices to reduce poverty, VC of CU urges

    Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof Aderemi Atayero  has urged the government  to work with farmers to reduce  food  prices.

    Atayero, who was represented by  the  Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof  Shalom Nwodo Chinedu  at a workshop on  cassava virus and clean seed training organised byCovenant University, said the  increase in the price of  staple items such as garri,  has gone up by more than 50 per cent in the  last  one  year.

    For instance, the don noted that the price of a bowl of garri has risen to N1000, which made it difficult for more families with less financial means to meet their basic needs.

    According to him, if the price of garri and other food items continue to rise, it will adds an extra burden on families who are struggling to meet other bills.

    He urged the government to find ways to keep food costs down until the struggling economy get back on track.

    Speaking on cassava, he  said it  was  a potential industrial crop, which could reduce imports, increase exports, create jobs and increase farmers’ income.

  • CU hosts maths contest

    Iganmode Grammar School, Ota emerged winner of the maiden edition of the Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee’s (CU-CDIIC) Mathematics Clinic and Quiz Competition, with Mother’s Joy Model College, Ota and St. Michael High School, Ota coming second and third.

    The event which took place at the African Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) of the university, attracted 24 secondary schools from Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aderemi Aaron-Anthony Atayero, represented by the Head, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Timothy Anake, said CU is excelling in scholarship and community development activities through various avenues and the mathematics clinic was one of such ways of consolidating on the progress.

    He told the gathering that it was important to understand that Mathematics has transformed from just numbers to formulas, and models that could be deployed to solve human related issues.

    Atayero said that the clinic would empower participants to develop interest in mathematics which would enable them rise to the challenge of a highly digitized world, and as a result contribute to national development.

    A special guest at the event, Mrs Gbemisola Orekoya of the Mathematics Association of Nigeria, Ota Chapter, praised the university for coming up with the initiative.

    “With more efforts and initiatives such as this, it will just be a matter of time before we start recording great feats in the area of science and technology, because these fields of human endeavour thrives on the strength of mathematics,” she said.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman, CU-CDIIC, Dr Michael Agarana, said the ultimate goal of the clinic was for participants and contestants to savour and enjoy mathematics, while attempting to reverse the over 10 years of poor performances in the subject at the secondary school level.

    He said the university, through CDIIC, was poised to help those who are weak in mathematics and provide a platform for healthy competition from time to time for every participating student in subsequent editions of the clinic.

    Other highlights of the clinic were presentations on ‘Building Interest in Mathematics and Teaching Method’ by Dr. Sheila Bishop and ‘Mathematics is Beautiful’ delivered by Dr. Alfred Owoloko, both of the university’s Department of Mathematics.

     

  • CU graduate excels in UNIPORT PG class

    A Covenant University (CU) graduate, Princess Chinyere Offor, has emerged the best graduating student in the Batch 13 Class of the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Choba, Rivers State.

    It is not a first for Miss Offor.  She graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.82 from the Petroleum Engineering Department of CU in 2013.

    According to the December 5-12, 2016 edition of the UNIPORT Weekly publication, Offor was among the 25 world-class Petroleum Engineers, who successfully concluded their MSc in Petroleum Engineering and Project Development.

    Offor won 14 of the 23 prizes presented at the induction for her class.

    She said she decided to study Petroleum Engineering and Project Development to enhance her knowledge as she hopes to lecture in future.

    Trained by industry professionals and foreign lecturers during the programme that was partly sponsored by Total and the NNPC, Miss Offor, said she was motivated by the desire to be the best she can be.

    She has her eyes on studying for a PhD in five years.

    The Head, Petroleum Engineering Department, CU, Dr Paul Anawe, said Offor’s accomplishment not only confirms the department’s judgment in 2013, but also the quality of the university’s products

  • CU launches leadership programme

    CU launches leadership programme

    The Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, has initiated a Certificate in Leadership Development Programme for the university’s postgraduate students.

    The initiative followed the successful hosting of the 2016 edition of the Covenant University International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI), which had as its theme, ‘Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa: Models, Methods and Policies’.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the certificate in leadership development programme, Dr. Oyedepo charged participants to show commitment in their attitude as “We live to learn and there’s nothing a man cannot learn except the interest is not there”.

    Acknowledging that Nigeria and Africa are bedeviled by leadership problems, the Chancellor emphasised that there must be a solution, which means there must be a commitment to the art of leadership.

    He said: “There is a seemingly inexhaustible vacancy in leadership, which we must dissect and analyse. Every man has the potential to be a leader; this involves self-training, commitment to tireless planning and taking responsibility.

    “A living thing must contribute. A plant makes contribution by giving out oxygen and the animal in turn exhales carbon dioxide. When you are not making contribution, it means you merely exist.”

    Corruption, said Dr. Oyedepo, is a fundamental problem plaguing Nigeria, while noting that despite the government’s fight against corruption, people still use money to find their way into government.

    “The problem of Africa is leadership, but who is addressing it?” he asked. “We sit down at different forums and blame everything on leadership; however nothing is being done about it.

    “Our solution is in Nigeria, there’s no way anybody can come from anywhere to give us a solution. That’s why I have come to wake up the leadership potential in us at this time. We can do it. It doesn’t have to be white to be right. With contributions here and there we can solve our problems.”

  • CU inaugurates PG Student Council

    CU inaugurates PG Student Council

    Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has inaugurated a  postgraduate  Student Council for its School of Postgraduate Studies.

    The initiative is coming 14 years after the establishment of CU’s School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS).

    Delivering his opening speech at the inauguration, held at the university chapel, Dean, SPGS Prof Shalom Chinedu, said: “This year makes it the 14th of the existence of the School of Postgraduate Studies and   through   the   years   we   have   been   able   to   graduate   students   on schedule.

    “In 2010, we started to accept external students and this year, the fact that 90 per cent of our intakes came from outside makes it  imperative for effective leadership among students. The caliber of members underscores the importance of the student council.”

    The Council, Chinedu added, serves as a bridge between the students and the management.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Taiwo Abioye, who reeled out the names of members of the student council, charged them to remember the university’s core values while carrying out their responsibilities.

    The   Vice-Chancellor,   Prof Charles Ayo,   praised   the board members of SPGS  for the “enormous work done.”

    “I congratulate you on your appointment,” he said. “We know you will succeed, there’s nothing mystical about excellence.

    “If you look at promises made, we know we are not there yet but we are committed.  And   it’s not one-sided, it takes a   collective   responsibility.

    Seeing students come around   here, it  is   my   duty   to   make   them confortable.”

    The 16-member Council, has Julius Oladipupo as Chairman and   Comfort Samuel as Secretary. Other members are:  Aboderin Deborah, Awodeyi   Afolabi,   John   Temitope,   Igboko Harriet, Akpabio Ifiom, Uwagharen Efosa and Ugboko Esther.

    They also include: Osuji Chizoba, Obaseki Samuel, O. Romanus, Olaolu Adeyemo, M. Ruth, Owuama Ebere and Enefusu Emmanuel.

    In another development, CU has underscored the importance of its core values during orientation   programme   for its new employees held   inside   the   university’s   African Leadership Development Centre.

    Prof Ayo, who highlighted the pride of place that Spirituality occupies among the core values of the university, urged them to see their presence in the institution as an opportunity to contribute their quota to the school’s ambition of being among the Top 10 universities in the world by year 2022.

    “Spirituality”, he said, “is a major determinant of students admission and staff employment, and its vision is driven by the faculty, the staff and the students.”

    He continued:  “The uniqueness   of the university as the best private university   in   Nigeria,   most   preferred   private   university   by   aspiring undergraduates, pioneer of entrepreneurship study and prime mover for abolition of the pass degree, has continued to attract students, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff to the school.”

    Earlier, Prof  Taiwo  Abioye, and  Registrar Pastor Olamide   Olusegun,   had   tasked   the   new   faculty   and senior non-teaching staff on work ethics and administrative processes and procedures.

     

  • CU committed to restoring black dignity, says don

    CU committed to restoring black dignity, says don

    Covenant University (CU) Ota, Ogun State, has restated its determination to restore the dignity of the black race.

    Cecil Blake, a professor of Mass Communications in the university, reiterated the commitment while delivering the institution’s 44th public lecture at the CU chapel last week.

    “We continue to work hard on improving the quality of output necessary to achieve the mission because we are aware of the challenges that need to be met mainly in terms of creating a critical mass that would make a national and indeed, continental impacts,” he said.

    Speaking on the topic: “Engaging the mission to restore the dignity of the Black Man: Challenges and Prospects”, Blake recalled how notable Americans and Europeans in the 18th Century made negative remarks about blacks, describing them as lascivious, inferior, libidinous, wicked, brutal people, who did  not contributed to civilisation.

    “They (pro whites African-Americans) claimed American nativity and rejected any mention of Africa as their ancestral home, and the place they should return to for their well being.

    “African-American spokesmen opposed to any association with Africa during the 1800s demonstrated the depth of negative construction of Africa and African permeated their psyche,” said Blake.

    However, this paradigm was later to be challenged by some other pro-African spokesperson, who Blake said showed how Africans made significant contributions to history.

    Blake said one of them, Edward Wilmot Blyden, a Presbyterian minister, through his numerous speeches, scholarly publications, sermons and eventual relocation to Africa from the U.S., canvassed for the restoration of African dignity.

    Another, Blake said, was Marcus Garvey in the early 20th Century, who via his Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), promoted the black consciousness ideology anchored on black emigration to Africa.

    Exponents of the African inferiority theory, according to Blake, abused a section of the Holy Bible Genesis 9-21-27, which alluded to the story of a drunken Noah, who cursed one of his sons Ham, who while asleep, scorned at his nakedness, while he blessed Shem and Joseph, his two other sons, who out of respect for their father, quickly covered his nakedness.

    “The entire episode recorded in the Bible was used as a means of justifying the enslavement of Africans and condemning them to servitude.

    “Those, who used the Bible as justification for the enslavement of African and their relegation to servitude, claimed that Shem is the patriarch of Whites, Japheth the patriarch of Asians, and Ham the patriarch of Africans.

    “It must be pointed out here that there is no reference to ‘race’ or ‘colour’ that could be used as a basis to cite Genesis 9.21.27 as a biblical justification for ill-treating blacks/Africans.  The realities of slavery, colonialism and aspect of evangelisation that denigrated Africans belief systems left a dent in the charactererological make up of Africans.”

  • CU bags awards

    CU bags awards

    Covenant University’s Department of Electrical & Information Engineering (EIE), has won yet another set of awards for the innovation of energy retention bags, solar powered weather station and green luminaire.  The award  won on September 24 at the World Invention and Innovation Forum, Yancheng, China, was presented to the CU management on  October 2. All the awards were in ‘gold’ categories, except for the silver medal award won by one of the students for inventing a ‘step manager.’

    Expressing his joy over the award, CU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Ayo, said only divine wisdom could have facilitated such innovations, especially the ‘energy retention bag’ which was made from common materials that are easily accessible.

    He praised the efforts of the Department of Electrical & Information Engineering for driving CU goals and vision through great ideas and innovations.

    While making his presentation, CU Director Centre for Research, Innovation and Discovery (CUCRID), Prof Samuel Wara, said the awards given to CU’s inventions were in three product areas.

    In his remarks, the President, Nigerian Association of Inventors, Pastor Momodu Shaka, stated that the major funding for ideas and inventions should be directed towards commercialisation. He, therefore, advised CU management to seek collaboration with Asian companies for the commercialisation of its innovations.

    Also at the event were: the Registrar,Pastor Olamide Olusegun; Director, Financial Services, Pastor Bayo Oladehinbo  and members of the Directorate of Media and Corporate Affairs.

     

  • CU donates to home as Oyedepo clocks 61

    CU donates to home as Oyedepo clocks 61

    Covenant University (CU) has donated food, as well as educational and household materials to Stephen’s Children Home, Abeokuta.

    The university also provided free medical services to the people of Ishaga Onilado village in Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State.

    The university, through its Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CDIIC) and David Oyedepo Day of Service (DODOS), extended its humanitarian gesture as part of the activities marking the 61st birthday of its Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo.

    The DODOS was instituted by Covenant University Alumni Association in September 2012 during Oyedepo’s 58th birthday and to recognise his selfless service to humanity.

    The CU team was led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Taiwo Abioye, and the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Humphrey Adebayo.

    Items donated include: science laboratory equipment such as microscopes, galvanometers, venire calipers, books, calculators and other instructional materials.

    The university also donated food items, clothing, toiletries and an unspecified amount of money.

    Prof Abioye, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Ayo, said: “The items are being donated in line with Dr David Oyedepo’s passion for education and development of the black race. Dr Oyedepo’s passion for education led him to establish the Kingdom Heritage Model Schools (KHMS) and Faith Academy around the country, as well as Covenant and Landmark Universities.”

    Prof Abioye enjoined the children to be focused on the Lord who never disappoints. “Don’t think your situation is bad. There are people who are worse off out there but God cares for everybody,” she urged.

    Also, the Chairman of CDIIC, Dr Humphrey Adebayo, said the visit formed a part of Oyedepo’s investment in humanity and to celebrate his 61st birthday with the children in the Home.

    Responding, the Head of the Home, Rev Isaac Wusu, expressed appreciation for Oyedepo’s kind gesture.

    According to Wusu, the facility started almost 15 years ago with eight children, adding that today, it has over 400 children, most of whose parents were victims of religious uproar in the North.

    Also at Ishaga-Onilado village, the university gave free medical services to 183 adults and children. The services focused on vaccination and immunisation, blood pressure measurement, blood sugar screening, body mass index, de-worming, dietary counseling, dental consultations, as well as free eye checks and glasses.

    In his response, the Baale, who represented the village head, Elder Ebenezer Ogunnibi, congratulated the celebrator and wished Oyedepo long life and good health.

     

  • SMEDAN, CU group empower 50

    NO fewer than 50 awaiting trial inmates of the Kirikiri Medium Prison, Lagos have been trained in some trades. They received training in areas, such as soap making, interior decoration, events planning and Psychology.

    The training was executed by Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN),with support from  Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, Nigerian Prison Service and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

    At the Sixth Graduation, a representative of the CU Vice Chancellor, Prof  A. M. Gesinde said there could be no peace without justice. Noting some injustices in the prison system, the don asked: “Who are those perpetrating injustices in our society? If justice is delayed, justice is denied – why is justice delayed unduly in our nation/ Why is it that the less privileged individuals in our society are the ones prone to unending injustices? and  why is justice elusive in our judiciary system?”

    Gesinde said there was much to be done to enthrone justice in the country, adding: “A vote for peace and justice in Nigeria is an expensive task that must be executed by all and sundry.”

    SMEDAN Director-General, Alhaji Bature Masari, urged the beneficiaries to see the training as a life-changing programme, make something out of it and be lifted thereby. He also urged Nigerians to do their best on how to make the society better and avail themselves of the objectives of SMEDAN.

    In a report, PFN’s Project Coordinator Pastor N. O. Sule-Bamigbola said while 42 participated in the Onisemus Project of the PFN, 18 passed out. He thanked its partners for their support. He listed the project’s challenges as inadequate funding, mentors, aftercare personnel and equipment.

    He described the project as the last hope of the inmates, which can restore them to worthy living after their ‘terms’. He said there were reports that many former inmates’ lives had been transformed and made productive to themselves and humanity after receiving the training.

    Pastor Sule-Bamigbola said PFN plans to register the Onisemus Project as an entity and open offices in other states.

    A beneficiary of the project Emmanuel Daniel praised PFN for the training. Daniel, who was a trader before his ordeal, said among others, that the programme helped to hone his skills in music, adding that he also benefited from its anger management training.

    He said though many of his colleagues applied, only 30 were considered. He lamented that while at the ‘prison’as an awaiting trial inmate, there were reports that he had lost his accommodation and property and was returning home to start life again, but that with the training he had received, there was hope for him.

    Another female beneficiary, who refused to be named, said initially, she was abandoned until Onisemus executives picked her up. She listed the business training as her area of interest, adding: “I did business before and I failed. Now I have realised my mistake.”

     

  • CU, Redeemer’s University sign pact

    Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State and Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    The MoU is to cover areas such as faculty and students exchange opportunities, joint sponsorship of conferences and workshops as well as joint research and scholarly publications.

    CU’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Charles Ayo hailed the series of deliberations between the two universities.

    He said the new relationship status would enhance CU’s efforts towards the achievement of its vision to become one of the top 10 universities in the world by 2022.

    Ayo added: “We have two universities coming together today and it is one of the best things to happen in our university system. We expect to see development of ideas from this relationship in the form of research and collaborations.

    “There is a need to be more proactive to create solutions to the myriad of issues facing Nigeria. We need to cultivate development focused education in order to address these issues, advance the cause of Nigerian universities and harness the essence of our education.”

    His Redeemer’s University counterpart, Prof Debo Adeyewa said: “The universities have been brainstorming on the areas to partner in for a while and I thank God today that it is all coming to pass.

    “I thank God for the giant strides that CU has been making since inception. It is widely known that you are very consistent with your goals, policies and culture. “The two universities will not compete, but rather, complement each other.”

    CU’s Registrar Pastor Olamide Olusegun said the MoU would engender an enduring relationship between the institutions.