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  • CU’s e-governance forum begins today

    THE Second Covenant University Conference on e-governance will begin today at its CEDS Multipurpose Hall in Ota, Ogun State by 9am.

    It has the theme: “e-Governance in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Civic Engagement and Participation”.

    Director-General, Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr Peter Jack and founding Managing Director, Edo State Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Ms Yemi Keri will be the guest speakers.

    The facilitator, Prof. Patience Akpan-Obong, of the Arizona State University, United States (U.S.), said the conference would  feature several break-out sessions, where speakers will present research and policy papers on e-governance.

    “Nigeria presents an interesting case for an understanding of e-governance in Africa because of its vast population, increased ICT diffusion and the equally high level of corruption in government practices in the country.

    “These are the issues that prompted the establishment of the annual Covenant University Conference on E-Governance in Nigeria (CUCEN). The conference is organised by the Department of Political Science and International Relations.

    “It provides a platform for academics, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to discuss these issues from various perspectives with the specific purpose of bridging theory and practice and strategising pathways toward effective utilisation of ICTs for good governance, civic engagement and participation, particularly in the context of emerging democracies,” she said.

  • CU to lead cancer care education

    Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, has been considered a key partner in the application of Information Communications Technology (ICT) for cancer care, research and education in Africa.

    This is the outcome of the  2015 Global Summit on Cancer at the Dana Ferber Centre, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States, where the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, was a guest speaker.

    The cancer summit was organised by the Global Health Catalyst Initiative to deliberate on and seek solution to the global burden of cancer in Africa.

    This year’s summit was focused on how to develop an ICT collaborative framework to bridge the gap and address the disparities in treatment and management of cancer between developed countries and low and middle-income countries.

    Ayo, in his paper, highlighted the huge potential of Covenant University to be a major partner in the realisation of the use of ICT for cancer care, research and education.

    He gave elaborate details of past and present endeavours of the software engineering and ICT research clusters in the university; mobile technology for medical adherence and e-health, which could be adapted for cancer care in Africa.

    The VC and his team visited a group of 10 CU students, who are on a four month internship at the Department of Industrial Engineering, Wayne State University (WSU), Detroit.

    Ayo and his team also visited Bobson College, Wellesley, which is highly rated for entrepreneurship in the world.

    Covenant University pioneered entrepreneurship education in Nigeria.

  • Why we may review fee, by CU vc

    Why we may review fee, by CU vc

    Two years ago, you said CU adopted eight-point agenda to drive its mandate of becoming one of the top 10 universities globally by year 2022. Could you shed light on the agenda?

    One of it is to create a unique Covenant University culture of responsibility, spirituality and most  importantly, discipline, such that anywhere you see our students that culture is obvious in them. Second, is the area of research and number three is to have such research recited. Fourth is teaching and I make bold to say here that we have massive investment in teaching facilities. Currently, we have about five teleconferencing centres here and this makes it possible for us to interact and present papers from here to any part of the world.

    During the last Ebola Virus Disease saga, we hosted international conference here in conjunction with the University of Florida. We only used our teleconferencing facility here to deliver our papers without having to travel to the US. Shortly afterwards, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free. It might interest you to know that, that effort has earned us a mileage towards the dream we are pursuing.  Another international conference will be holding in Harvard (University) and by reason of what we have done, I have been invited as a keynote speaker with a view to forging collaborations towards application of IT on issues bordering on health.

    Do you set goals at all, and if you do, how do you go about attaining them?

    On a yearly basis, CU sets goals and for this year, our goals are: innovation, impact and internationalisation. With regards to our international students, we have them out there and we maintained close tie with them. If we see any of them going into an area that is of interest to us that we intend to engage the general public, we give them preference because we want to ensure that in no distant time, some of our graduates would emerge nobel laureates. As a motivation for faculty staff towards winning awards, we have instituted some strategic moves. At present, CU has a number of research clusters, which work as a team to addressing certain societal challenges and we motivate them appropriately. This university fully sponsors any faculty to any international conference anywhere in the world so long as you have at least two papers to present. This is geared towards getting more recitation for the university, which automatically extends our reach.

    What is the university doing in internationalising its studentship?

    This is second semester. By March, members of management would be combing the entire African continent towards seeking collaborations with renowned institutions. Again, we are about placing an advertorial for the 2014/2015 admission exercise and we are reaching out to the African nations to attract a variety of students.

    We will soon be giving out a Samsung tablet to all our students, which will make them learn on their own. The scheme is aimed at improving internal efficiency of our students. We should be able to say as many as the Lord has given to us, it is our desire to graduate that number of students in record time. We have approximately 8000 and we are conscious of our carrying capacity. Aside, we are not likely to overstretch our facilities. There are cases of overcrowded classrooms resulting in more pressure on the facilities, which are sometimes not enough.

    You said CU would soon begin a downward review of its fees and embark on industrialisation towards improving its IGR, how does it intend to achieve this?

    Let me correct a misconception, our fees might be a bit high, but If we compare it with others, you’ll probably discover that we are the least. However, I have the privilege of informing the public that by the thinking of Dr David Oyedepo, the proprietor of this university, the commission is thinking of reducing the fees to allow more people benefit from CU, however it is going to be highly competitive. This means we need to work more on improving our IGR. We are up to the task. We only need to consolidate on our research endeavours.

    That means some of your research products are probably going to be commercialised?

    Very soon, we shall be launching the CU luncheon. The idea is to have a measure of endowment in our faculty. It’s an avenue to invite them (captains of industry) here, take them around to see what we have, and interact with the research focus in our faculty. Come next academic session, the university will be into production of certain items in an unprecedented feat. So, we can tell the proprietor base that we can confidently depend on them, because looking at our projections for that venture, we are going to be raking in billions. And with that the fees can now be reduced, noting that any education venture is not just for money making, but social service.

    There is also the widespread criticism that CU appears to be producing more First Class graduates than other universities?

    This is not strange to us! I was privileged to have witnessed a number of convocation ceremonies here; and there is not time that we are gathered that this question does not arise. A few years ago, the Federal Government instituted the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development. This scheme is opened to all Fist Class graduates in Nigerian universities.  In the maiden edition, CU produced 10 per cent of the awardees. To us, the measure of quality is nothing, but creating a level playing ground; that is, you subject them all to a test. So, having emerged top in the maiden edition, the university also produced 10 per cent in the second edition. That was just sufficient to convince every doubting Thomas.

     

  • ‘CU graduates’ll solve Africa’s problems’

    ‘CU graduates’ll solve Africa’s problems’

    The Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State has restated its commitment to training solution providers to Africa’s various challenges.

    Chancellor of the university, Dr David Oyedepo, said through qualitative education, CU graduands would restore human dignity and Africa’s lost glory.

    Dr Oyedepo, who was represented by a member of Covenant Board of Regents, Bishop Thomas Aremu, said this at the university’s 13th matriculation.

    Over 2,000 new students comprising, 1,996 undergraduates and 155 postgraduates, swore the matriculation oath.

    Oyedepo said CU is on a rescue mission to transform values by allowing students to maximise their individual dreams.

    “Inculcating sense of responsible in students to achieve quality leadership is a veritable tool to attain desirable result to numerous challenges like insecurity and corruption in the country,” he said.

    The CU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Ayo, said the nation was in need of quality leaders that would deliver good dividends of quality training such as being impacted by the institution.

    Also, the Registrar, Dr Olumuyiwa Oludayo, said CU would solve the country’s leadership problems.

    “There is hope for the country and people should not give up despite the numerous challenges because the institution was working through toward providing lasting solution to nagging problems of quality leadership,’’ Oludayo said.

     

  • CU is best private varsity

    When he assumed office barely two years ago, the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof Charles Korede Ayo, was given a mandate by the chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo, to make the institution one of the top 10 institutions in the world.

    This sounded impossible but with the institution ranked the best private university in the July/August  2014 Webometrics Ranking of Nigerian universities, the goal becomes within reach.

    According to Webometrics, CU ranks 25th in Africa and 2075th in the world.  But Ayo promises that it would not be long before it is ranked the best university in Nigeria, after which it will take the fight to the international scene.

    “By next year, we hope to unseat Obafemi Awolowo University, then we will focus on international universities. With the mandate given to me, I still have a long way to go, so I have time to get the university to the top 10 best universities in the world,” he said in an interview with The Nation last Thursday.

    The university is ambitious and hopes to achieve the feat that has taken world class universities 200 years in 10 years.

    “In the 19th century, the University of Chicago was able to make the world-class university in 20 years, so we can do it. It takes a lot but if the proprietorship can come up with the mandate then they are ready to support us financially. Moreover, the age of Methuselah is inconsequential to the wisdom of Solomon,” he added.

    According to him, the university management is not surprised about the feat because several years back, CU started winning the best-ICT driven university in Africa and Nigeria award consistently for many years.

    “I am sure it will not take some of our contemporaries by surprise looking at our antecedents.  We are a university focused on attaining a feat,” he said.

    Asked what the university’s secret is, Ayo said it is spirituality and absolute dependence on God, a focused workforce, and committed leadership. He added that the school management reviews its strategies before each academic session.

    “We gather at the African Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) where we compare notes – review our strategies – looking at where we have done well and where we need to improve. Another strategy is that during our summer school, we have our collaborators and partners from all over the world who come to teach our students. All these are to pursue the mandate and vision of being a world class university,” he said.

    Providing funds to achieve its aim is not a problem for CU. If the university has to spend more to get the best quality hands, the VC said it does.  This, he explained, informed why CU invited two Nobel Laureates, Prof Thomas Sergent of New York University and Prof Eric Maskin of Harvard University to its international conference.

    “For two people to fly first class, speak for less than one hour and collect $85,000 is pretty expensive. Here the proprietor base is committed to funding research. Once you can conceive the idea and there is logic in it, bring the idea forward and it will be funded. For us to attain the feat, we need quality to come here so that we are able to rewrite the history of Nigerian education,” he noted.

    To achieve its aim in research and quality teaching, Ayo said the university has 50 professors, 188 PhD holders, 21 associate professors and are still advertising in both local and international dailies for more.

    The students are not left out of the CU dream. “We hold meetings with the entire student body where we open up to them. We tell them to come to us if they have any suggestions that can assist the university to develop or any research breakthrough that can be useful to the university,” he said.

     

  • CU, ILEPS sign MoU

    The Vice-Chancellor Covenant University (CU), Otta, Ogun State, Prof Charles K.Ayo, has said Indigenous solutions are the best measures for addressing myriad of challenges in Africa; therefore CU would open its door for collaboration with any institution that believes in the philosophy.

    Aside this, partnering not only with world-class universities but young and aspiring institutions towards joint research publications constitutes one of the numerous strategies in which CU hopes to achieve its mandate: ‘Vision 20-22: One of 10-in10’ (meaning being ranked as one of the best 10 universities globally by 2020), which it coined during her 10th anniversary in October 2012.

    Ayo made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) between CU and the Institut Littoral Des Etudes Professionnelles Superierures Littoral University (ILEPS) at the CU Senate mini chamber.

    Backing his claims with some Biblical scriptures, Ayo said: “In Africa, we have a peculiar problem, and foreign solutions may not fit into this perfectly well. Then looking at both institutions located in Republic of Benin and Nigeria respectively, we can collaborate to address major challenges in Africa better that world-class universities in Europe or America.”

    The occasion had in attendance high profile members of both universities including the two registrars- Dr Olumiyiwa Oludayo (CU) and Mr Ayen kayoed Ezekiel (ILEPS) as well as its Vice-Chancellor Prof Ayeni Oyebode.

    Others in the CU team were: CU Coordinator (International Students); Dr Olujide Adekeye; Director Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo and Head Legal Team Mrs Ebe Oni. Ayeni was accompanied by his wife Mrs Stella, ILEPS’ Head, Legal Team Solomon Adigun Lawal, and some students of the university.

    Ayo said it might not be out of place to strike a deal with ILEPS regardless of several MoUs CU has signed with world-class universities. He added that it is neither about age nor size of the institution in question, but how its vision aligns with CU’s.

    “No one knows it all,” Ayo continued, “coming to the Biblical injunction that says one will chase a thousand and two would put 10,000 to flight. It is not really about the size of an institution, it is about the intention and aspiration of that institution.  This is a long envisaged collaboration. Ayeni has always been around so it’s like two minds coming together to solve a major problem in the black race and that is part of the mandate of CU.

    “One of the parameters considered for ranking world class universities, is looking at the international presence of faculty and staff. Even in publication, joint publications are rated higher than one within the university. So, we are hoping for a greater collaboration with Littoral University.

    Dr Olumuyiwa said though ILEPS is a young university in a French-speaking country; yet shares in the CU vision.

    “CU will be willing to partner with any university that shares her vision of raising a new generation of leaders. We will also subscribe to a relationship in which CU’s values-possibility, mentality, spirituality, sacrifice, Integrity, lifelong learning align with ours. So it’s not only about other universities spotting us; it is also about CU spotting those institutions that share in our ideals, values and principles. That is one striking features of this collaboration.”

    Expressing his joy, Ayeni described the link as a marriage of an eagle (CU) and an eaglet (ILEPS).

    “With this ILEPS can see far ahead. The cub of a lion is always a lion. We are sure of getting there. This great university will be our mentor. When you are down, you need somebody that is up to raise you.  You can see farther when you stand on the shoulder of somebody that is already on top. The move has been on for some years; but now it no longer matters how many years it has been. The journey of a million years begins with a step. Today, it has become a reality,” he said.

    Ezekiel said:“The journey has just started. We are also hoping to start flying like CU graduates.  We are hoping to share in the CU vision of rising fast. If CU mandate is to emerge one of the best 10 globally, then we should be hoping to rank as one of the best 20 by the target year,” he said.

     

  • CU valedictorian eyes future with confidence

    CU valedictorian eyes future with confidence

    From childhood, Alma Jamechi Oputa had earned the sobriquet “Alma the great” from her parents because of her friendliness and ability to learn fast. The name stuck and she has continued to top her class.

    Her parents wanted her to study Medicine, like her father, Reginald Oputa, who retired as a colonel in the Army, Alma preferred Computer Science.

    Though he would have loved to have a doctor daughter, Oputa has no regrets. Alma was the best graduating student at the Covenant University convocation tagged: ‘Release of eagles 2014’ held at the university premises in Ota Ogun State, Friday last week. She finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.98.

    “She had always shown signs of brilliance from the time she was a child,” said Alma’s father. “We also realised that from childhood, she had a knack for mathematics. She also liked drawing was fond of playing with colours.

    “Although we had wanted her to become a medical doctor like me but she chose to study Computer Science instead. We didn’t have a choice than let her study whatever was her desire. Her victory today is a pointer to the fact that parents must not force a career on their wards,” he said.

    Alma’s achievement earned her the Covenant University’s Alumni Association’s Prize for Best Graduating Student in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, with a N50.000 cash reward; and the Yomi Adedeji prize for Best Graduating Student in Computer Science, a Samsung Galaxy tab, among others.

    As her name was announced by the Registrar, Dr Olumuyiwa Oludayo, the Oputas were the first to leap to their feet, hugging each other. Then Alma stepped out from among the graduands and made the long journey to the podium. Flashes from a thousand cameras bathed her in a glow until she reached her destination. For a moment, she seemed terrified by the thunderous but regained her composure fast enough to read her valedictory speech clearly.

    She thanked the Chancellor for finding time to counsel the students. She also thanked her parents – her Dad, whom she described as her mentor and second bishop; and her mum, who she called her Proverbs Chapter 31 woman – “for teaching her all she knows.”

    Speaking of her success with The Nation, Alma said she was not the bookworm type, kept lots of friends, yet managed to score nearly 100 percent in all her courses.

    “I am not the bookworm type. That does not mean I don’t read my books. I am an average reader but I must say I have lots of friends. I am the type who keeps lots of them. I believe being sociable has little or nothing to do your with ones performance in class.”

    Asked to describe her undergraduate experience in CU, Alma admitted it was full of ups and downs.

    “It is difficult for me to remember my happiest or saddest moments,” She recalled.

    “I remember there were times when I felt happy having scored so high in my exams. There were also times I would not describe as saddest but very challenging moments where I had to contend with lectures, class assignment and other academic activities.”

    With her grade, Alma is confident she can excel anywhere in the world she goes for further studies.

    “I believe I can be the best I can even if I’d attended a public university. I’m not afraid to study anywhere whether within or outside the country. I can hold my head up anywhere.

    “The grooming we received in Covenant is enough to arm us all. In this university, we have very dedicated lecturers. You don’t earn marks through the backdoor. You get what you worked for. There is no shortcut anywhere, she added.

    As a child, Alma mother Mrs Oputa described her daughter as a cry baby who grew up to do things intelligently.

    “She is also the type that loves inspiring others. When she was making 5.00 points and some of her friends were not dong same, she began to inspire them to do better,” Mrs Oputa said.

    Though an automatic employment awaits her from her alma mater; nevertheless, Alma seems to be eyeing other things.

    “Loving children and taking care of them has always been my passion,” she said. “I also wish to set up a clothing line, that’s also my hobby.”

  • CU inaugural lecture Feb. 14

    The Fourth Covenant University’s inaugural lecture comes up on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the university chapel.

    The lecture titled: “Microbial Life in the presence of carbon and oxygen: Consequences for man” will be delivered by an astute scholar and professor of Medical Microbiology, Louis Osayenum Egwari.

    Prof Egwari is the Director of Covenant University Centre for Research and Development (CUCERD).

    He is also the immediate past deputy dean, School of Natural and Applied Science in the College of Science and Technology, CU.

    He joined CU as associate professor of microbiology in June 2008. He was appointed a professor of Microbiology on December 1, 2008 and later became the first substantive Head of Department, Biological Sciences in February, 2009.

    His research efforts in 2010 brought three Patents Rights to the university as approved by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for the production of beverage drink from pawpaw fruits; production of fermented rice products and culture media formulation from Whole Fauna of Sun-dried Crayfish and Exoskeleton of Crab and Shrimps.

    Professor Egwari’s research interest include molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in Carica Papaya; hybrid selection, improvement and propagation in Carica Papaya; studies on the Pathology of Carica Papaya (Pawpaw plant) and studies on the biochemistry and microbiology of Pawka beverages and fermented rice products. He is a member of many professional associations including: Association of Medical Laboratory Technology and Science of Nigeria (AMLTSN), Nigerian Association of Microbiologists (NSM), Association of Industrial Microbiologists of Nigeria (AIMN), Anaerobes Society of the Americas (ASA) and Nigeria Association of Inventors (NAI) among others.

    The lecture will be chaired by the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents of the University, Dr. David Oyedepo.

     

  • CU clocks 11

    The CU Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, has said the institution would be among the top 10 universities in the world by 2022.

    Oyedepo spoke at the university’s 11th Founder’s Day on Monday. He said since inception on October 20, 2002, the university remained focus in ensuring that it actualised its mandate, which is primarily to raise leaders that will change the world.

    The cleric noted that already the university had surpassed set standards, but was not relenting until it achieved its much-desired 2022 dream, tagged: Vision 10: 2022, (1 of 10 in 10).

    “It is in view of this that we are launching our new vision and therefore, want to charge the faculty managements to invest maximally in the review of our curriculum.

    “We must strive to review pragmatically, the contents of our curriculum by bringing it into the realities of the day. Let us not be afraid of trying out new things in new ways because unless this is done, you cannot move forward. We must strive to have the creative mind of christ to review our curriculum in order to truely meet the needs of the society,” he said.

    The Chancellor noted that empowering the people intellectually as well as practicalising it through inventions and discoveries was key in taking universities to higher levels.

    He charged the students to be excellent performers especially in the area of self discipline, as it was one major tool of becoming great leaders.

     

  • CU replaces Registrar, others with alumni

    CU replaces Registrar, others with alumni

    THE Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University (CU), Ota, Prof Charles Ayo, has announced four new principal officers, three of who are alumni of the university.

    Mr Muyiwa Fadugba, Dr Ada Sonia Peter and Mr Gbenga Alalade, three pioneer graduate of CU will serve as Registrar, Chaplain and Director, Physical Planning & Development (PPD). The fourth is Mr Azubuike Ezenwoke, a former Chairman of the university’s Students Council, who is the Dean, Student Affairs.

    They are replacing Dr Ubong Ntia (Registrar), Pastor Biodun Adebiyi (Dean, Student Affairs), Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare (Chaplain), and Pastor Joseph Olamife (Director Physical Planning & Development) who have been given other assignments in the Living Faith Church Worldwide, proprietor of the school.

    Ayo made the announcement penultimate Monday at a meeting of the university Senate, and later at the Chancellor’s Assembly on behalf of the university’s Chairman, Board of Regents, Dr. David Oyedepo.

    He explained that it was high time the ‘Eagles’ started taking up key positions in the university in order to showcase what they had been taught, and to further establish their leadership capacity.

    Other appointees include, Prof C. Loto, who replaced Prof S. Adefila as Dean, College of Science and Technology; Dr. P. Alege, replaced Prof O. Olunrinola as Head, Economics and Development Studies. Dr. S. A. Ogbiye took the baton from Prof J. B. Adeyeri as HOD, Civil Engineering; while Dr. K. O. Ajanaku, took over from Dr. A. I. Inegbenebor, as HOD, Chemistry.

    A new Sub-Dean Dr. Justine Daramola, was also appointed for the School of Postgraduate Studies. He replaces Dr. S. N. Chinedu, who is now a Director in the newly established Directorate of Quality Assurance.

    There was also change of guard in two CU centres – Systems and Information Services and Entrepreneurial Development Studies, where Pastor Stephen Ogah, another pioneer student of CU, and Dr. Chinonye Moses are taking over from the incumbent directors.

    The VC also announced the result of a recent staff evaluation exercise in CU which has led to the promotion of 57 workers. He said a total of 27 academic members of staff were promoted to Senior Lecturers; 19 to Lecturer I; while six others were moved up to Lecturer II. He added that the Centre for Learning Resources had three staff members promoted to senior resource officers, two to resource officer I, while two others were promoted to resource officer II.

    Ayo enjoined all workers to cooperate with the newly appointed officers in order to move the university’s forward.

    Meanwhile, the papers of 13 faculties who applied for promotion to the professorial cadre are being processed for external assessment. Of the number, three are being considered for full professorship and 11 for Associate Professorial cadre.