The immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer University (RUN), Prof. Zachariah Debo Adeyewa, shares his memories of his job at the university with PAUL UKPABIO and ABIODUN ADEYEWA. He also speaks about his family life and fashion sense, among other issues.
What are your observations about the set of students who have just graduated from RUN?
he new set is meant to explode. They are not meant to explode like Boko Haram but in a way that people will see them and say, ‘Can something this good come out of Nigeria?’ Wherever they go, they are supposed to make waves, finding solutions to our myriad of problems.
Where do you see this university in the next 10 years?
Despite the fact that I am leaving, we have worked to the extent that we now have the confidence that this university is going to tower above its contemporaries. So in the next 10 years, I see a university that everyone would want to attend for their first, second or third degrees. I see a university where people would want to work. I see a university where the town will respect the gowth. I see a university that will surmount so many challenges that are environmental in nature. Already, that is taking place.
I see a university where we will not just be able to pay our staff in naira but also in foreign currencies, because we will be getting a lot of money from abroad. I see a university where by prophecy, there will be no fees charged, but before you can come, it will be a struggle. So the university will not be expensive in terms of fees but expensive in terms of the struggle you do before you can get in, because there will be a lot of competition to get in. So I see a university that is setting standards.
Can you recall your experiences when the university was relocated here?
When we came here in 2011, it was a jungle. Many did not believe that anything this good could happen here. When we were also coming here, some of our colleagues were quite discouraged. They asked ‘why?’ But you know someone did say, “I don’t like to go where others go, not the bandwagon, but I like to go somewhere I can set standards and blaze the trail. I like to be the track that others will follow.’
I am happy because before, this place was a forest, a jungle. People were afraid to come here. We came here by faith; the audacity of His grace. And here we are now. I feel more comfortable here than when we were at the Redeemed Camp by the expressway in Mowe, Ogun State. We have opportunity to shop at Oshogbo. Things are cheaper here. The students and the staff have found it easier to live here.
Most big universities in the world are not in the cities like Havard and even Oxford. It was great courage to start small. I’m just coming from a construction site, and when it is ready, it will be the joy of everyone here and also the joy of the traditional ruler of this place and the entire people in his domain. That is the joy of being a pioneer.
What were the initial reactions when you decided to relocate your main campus from Mowe to Ede, Osun State?
When we came here, things were depressing. I recall the last staff meeting we had at the Redeemed Camp at Mowe where the staff was duly informed of the movement to Osun State. Some of them had been here and seen how it was before that our last meeting, so they were scared. But the decision to move to Ede in Osun State was final. I thank God that I am an African because what happens in Africa is that you encourage your colleagues through dancing, music and through rejoicing. So, we composed music and we danced to it. I read the scriptures to them, encouraged them in songs that we are number one.
For instance, before the university won the national quality award late last year, we had been encouraging ourselves that we could do it. At the end of the day, we won, and today, we are number one. So you have to encourage yourselves. For instance, I tell the students you are not sleeping three or four in a room, you have a fantastic library, world class facilities, what else? I encourage the students with music, songs and dance. As Africans, we work hard in academics and then cheer ourselves up with music and dance.
How much support does the university get from the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church?
I remember that in 1973, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye went to America and visited Oral Robert University. He was alarmed at what he saw there—a small campus doing great things. On coming back home, he said we could do the same here. That was why when he came here in 1982 and he was offered land, he said it was for the university. So you can see a great visionary, and we have caught that vision, that nothing is impossible. If tomorrow Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye says we will have a great building on that empty space, nothing can make us doubt, because he is a man who does not believe in impossibility. So I can tell you that we are not only going to be running, we are flying as well.
What has been your motivating spirit?
It is not easy to tell someone that is blind to look and see! But, you see, things can be accomplished. My story is that of somebody who was told that it is impossible, but I started knowing and telling people that with God, all things are possible. But you have to also know that you cannot do it all with your own strength; you have to believe in God. It is God in you that will make things possible.
How have you managed to handle attraction from the opposite sex and survive so long in marriage despite working on campus?
I love my God and I love my wife. My personal principle even as a young man was and till now is: I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman (Job. 31:1). Also, the closeness to my wife is a shield for me.
How about your family?
I have three lovely children. We are all closely knitted.
How did you meet your wife?
We met on Campus in 1984 (some 34 years ago). We later became engaged and got married in 1991.
From your experience, what do you consider the ingredients that make a marriage last?
I believe its love, truthfulness, trust, unconditional love and devotion to one another.
At 61, would you say you are fulfilled?
I would say I am fulfilled. But I am only 61 and my aspirations are still many. I guess I would feel more fulfilled in the next few years as I achieve more in terms of the life goals that I have set for myself.
Any regrets?
No, none.
What kinds of clothe do you like wearing?
Interestingly, my wife is everything to me when it comes to my wardrobe. She chooses my style. So my children joke about mum being everything to daddy. That is why she is such an integral part of me. When people say they like my dress sense or make complimentary remarks, I simply say give that to my wife.
What do you value the most?
I value integrity. I have a lot of respect for those who are not cajoled or forced to be accountable or to do the right thing. I love innocence in the real sense of it.
Your son said that he grew up knowing his daddy always travelling. That means even as a young man, you must have been very restless…
Well, I was involved with research activities that took me to the Far East, Far West (USA) and Europe. Such trips could last between three months and one year.
How do you spend your holidays? Do you have memories of a particular holiday you really enjoyed?
I must confess that I have not been having holidays. On one occasion, I managed to have a family holiday by driving to different parts of the country with my family. That holiday has remained such a cherished period in my family. But I must say that I have enjoyed wonderful memories of trips with my wife while travelling to some unique places abroad.
What inspires you?
I would say books and exemplary lives. In particular, I am inspired by reading the scriptures. I love the verse that says “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isa. 8:20).” I also love the inspiration that good books bring and exemplary lives through biographies.