[size=13pt]Bishop Oyedepo’s Convenant University Denies Muslim Students Admission![/size]

By Omobolaji Omoyele

The dream of Mr. and Mrs. Taiwo Salami of Ijaye Housing Estate at Pen Cinema Agege, Lagos has always been to give their children the best education that will eventually make them useful not only to themselves but also to the society at large.

So when their son, Ayomide Abdul Gafar Salami, began preparation to seek admission into a tertiary institution, they took their time to assist him in choosing a university that they believe would instill the best moral and academic development in their son. They (the couple and the boy) decided to choose Covenant University, Ota. “We want the best for our child and we found that the university is one of the best in the country. Apart from this, it ranks as one of the most peaceful and disciplined tertiary institution in the country which is devoid of the dreaded cult activities which have turned most Nigerian universities campuses into abattoir, hence the decision to settle for Covenant University,” Mr. Taiwo Salami, an employee of Eagle Paints at Agidingbi, Lagos explained why he and his wife, devoted Muslims, settled for Covenant University, owned by a fiery Pentecostal Christian organization, Living Faith Christian Ministry a.k.a Winners Chapel.

Everything went according to plan at the initial stage. Ayomide sat for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination after filing the admission form online conspicuously choosing Covenant University as his choice of tertiary institution and Chemical Engineering as his choice of course. As a mater of fact, it was his father who filled the form on his behalf.

When the result of the examination was released by the examination board, he passed out in flying colours, scoring 295 marks which was actually the second highest mark scored by students who picked Covenant University as their tertiary institution of choice. Pronto, the boy applied again online for the post-UME test which took place at the university campus. It was another conquering outing for him as he scored 65 marks out of the obtainable 80.

Two weeks after the result of the post-UME was released, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) released the school certificate examination result and again Ayomide had an excellent result. Check it out: English Language, B3; Mathematics, A1; Further Mathematics, A1; Geography, A1; Chemistry, B2; Physics, B2; Biology, B3; Agricultural Science, B3 and Economics, B3. 

“We took the WAEC result to the university because we filled awaiting result for him when we filled the admission form and the result was accepted. When we were filling the admission form, there was a confidential form we were asked to print out for the pastor of the church the family attend to fill but since we are Muslims, we printed out the form and gave it to the Chief Imam of the Ijaiye Housing Estate Muslim Association who duly filled the form and we submitted it along with the admission form and other documents. After the post-UME test, the pastor was expected to write a letter of recommendation on the student which the Chief Imam duly did and we submitted to the university authority. So when our child passed the JAMB, post-UME and WAEC examinations, we were sure of his admission,” Mr. Salami told The Premier.

But it was not to be. When the university released the first batch of candidates admitted, Ayomide’s name was conspicuously missing. “I made enquiries because naturally I believe my son’s name should appear on the first list on merit due to his performance. We were told to exercise patience as his name will come with the second batch list. It was while going through The Nation newspaper on 31st August, 2011 that I discovered that the second batch list for admitted candidates had been released but again our son’s name was missing. I even searched for his name from other courses thinking he might have been given another course other than the Chemical Engineering he applied for but it was quite clear that his name was not listed,” Salami narrated.

It was a disturbed father who called his son on what transpired during the post-UME examination and Ayomide replied that nothing unusual happened. “I asked him how he got to know that the obtainable mark was 80. He replied that all the total questions were 80 in number. I asked him again how he got to know that he scored 65. He replied that the exam was computer- based that it was marked immediately they finished and the scored displayed on the computer. I asked him further what transpired after the examination, he replied that they were given bio-data forms to fill which he did,” Salami said further.

He was determined to know why his son who performed so brilliantly was not offered admission; hence he asked his wife to go to the campus and enquired on what happened. “I wanted to go myself but my tight schedule will not allow me,” he said.                               

When Mrs. Salami got to the campus, she met the admission officer addressing parents whose wards were not offered admission. He told them that the university has only vacancy for students offering Education courses. “My own case is different. My son scored 295 in JAMB, scored 65 in post-UME and had distinctions in all his subjects but was not offered admission,” she narrated to the admission officer who expressed seemingly genuine interest in the matter and asked her to follow him to his office.

[b]The admission officer confirmed what Mrs. Salami told him but later told him that the problem was that the candidate filled Muslim/Anglican on the religious space provided on the admission form. The woman was perturbed. She asked the admission officer if her child would be denied admission simply because of error in filling the religious space. It was a big shock to her when the admission officer told her that the university authority had decided not to offer admission to Muslims because the 12 Muslim students they took previously gave the school authority problems. The woman asked that if the university authority knew it is not offering admission to Muslims, it should have been indicated in the admission guidelines. It was a livid Mrs. Salami who left the admission office and laid an official complaint with the Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Aize Obayan. She promised to look into the matter. “But we were surprised later when the Personal Assistant to the VC, one Mrs. Salami, called my wife and informed her that the admission officer had convinced the VC why Ayomide would not be offered admission but she did not tell us the reason given by the admission officer,” Salami said.                           

It was a herculean task getting the side of the university. The Premier was first directed to the PA to the VC, Mrs. Salami who also directed us to the Admission Officer. At the initial stage, we were informed that he was not on sit but later we spoke with him on phone. In the first instance, he declined to give us his name saying he does not know the reporter hence he was not obliged to mention his name.

On the issue at hand, he explained that the university admits Muslim students saying Ayomide’s case was different because there was an error when the admission form was filled. “In the space reserved for religion, he filled Muslim while in the space for denomination he filled Anglican and we felt we cannot allow this. One should be honest, if you are a Muslim or a Christian let us know your true religious status. However, the parents should have written a letter to the university authority correcting this error but the mother was impatience as she was just abusing us,” he said.

But Ayomide’s father debunked this. “I filled the form myself and there is no way I filled Muslim/Anglican. We are Muslims and we have never hidden that fact from anybody. My son attended Dansol High School in Ogba, a private secondary school with strict Christian background but this kind of thing never happened to him. All we want is good education for our child and that is why we chose Covenant University,” he said.
[/b]
The bone of contention is can a student be denied admission on religious excuse? A university don at the University of Lagos cleared the air. “So far it is not a theological university, the National University Commission (NUC) which regulates the operation and activities of universities in the country, frowns at religious discrimination in the admission of students into the universities be it private or public,” the lecturer said.

The don stated that even if the admission form was filled in error, the university authority should find ways of explaining to the parents and things to be done and not wait until the parents came to enquire. “Moreover, it is not good to deny student outright admission on such excuse which I believe is flimsy,” he said.

The Premier investigation however revealed that this is not the first time such act of religious intolerance would occurred at the university. About two months ago, the university sought applications from prospective lecturers in the university. One Fatai Akinpelu applied to be considered for employment as a lecturer in the Department of English. According to our source, he excelled in all the tests and interviews conducted by the university only to be informed at the end of the day that he could not be offered employment because he was an Alfa, that is, a Muslim cleric.

A student of the university told us in confidence that he had to lie that he was Christian before he could be given admission. “I’m a Muslim and my roommate is a Muslim. I know some Muslim students who go into hiding before they pray. It is not a lie. You have to be a Christian before you are admitted,” the student told The Premier.

However in the case of Ayomide Salami, the father has vowed to fight the issue to a logical conclusion. “I’m writing officially to the NUC, the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant bodies. After this, I’m taking the case to court. This is an injustice I’m fighting to a logical conclusion,” he vowed.



http://www.thepremiernewsonline.com/articlereader.aspx?newsid=gdefbdcgagbhccihfa

Now this is just way out of order. This is discrimination and a real one for that matter.
They should charge the pro chancellor, chancellor, Vice chancellor, and the board of governors to court.


This is Africa and not Saudi Arabia abi na Iran. Every right thinking person should condemn this shameful and disgraceful act.

That Uni wants to separate Yoruba muslim and Yoruba Christian abi?

That greedy SOB who calls himself a bishop needs to check his employees. . . .and heed to the words of the Lord.

If the boys father wants to donate 100m to the school or church, i wonder if it would be returned

Whoever set up that admission policy should be fired with immediate effect.
How will that innocent boy feel? Na that one I dey after. That boy don read well con dey face this rubbish.

Relax101:

Whoever set up that admission policy should be fired with immediate effect.
How will that innocent boy feel? Na that one I dey after. That boy don read well con dey face this rubbish.

Thank you, Angelina. We know your own motive for posting this thread.
Some ppl sha.

Ileke-IdI:

Thank you, Angelina. We know your own motive for posting this thread.
Some ppl sha.

NOOOO, I saw it and decided to share. Far from what u got in ur mind.
All tribalist must repent or die before 2011.

On the issue at hand, he explained that the university admits Muslim students saying Ayomide’s case was different because there was an error when the admission form was filled. “In the space reserved for religion, he filled Muslim while in the space for denomination he filled Anglican and we felt we cannot allow this. One should be honest, if you are a Muslim or a Christian let us know your true religious status. However, the parents should have written a letter to the university authority correcting this error but the mother was impatience as she was just abusing us,” he said.

Cant believe a sane person will say this, isnt the religious section for stats purpose only? they are openly saying they are refusing him admission not based on the abilities but on his religion.

On applications forms work or school i fill in anything i want! mixed indian! it has nothing to do with the main forms!

The kid should look for scholarship abroad, better quality and his human rights will be better respected! dem go put religion for head like say them invent am

Is this not a private school?
The owners of the school or corporation are allowed within our constitution to formulate certain administrative and academic policies to enhance their investment. If requiring that applicants display a certain degree of honesty as a condition for admission, what wrong with that?
Personally, I don't think the school should deny young muslims admission based on religion, but the school should insist that every student must convert to christianity in order to graduate. Afterall, there is no need graduating potential bomb carrying students who would soil the school's name.

naijaking1:

Is this not a private school?
The owners of the school or corporation are allowed within our constitution to formulate certain administrative and academic policies to enhance their investment. If requiring that applicants display a certain degree of honesty as a condition for admission, what wrong with that?
Personally, I don't think the school should deny young muslims admission based on religion, but the school should insist that every student must convert to christianity in order to graduate. Afterall, there is no need graduating potential bomb carrying students who would soil the school's name.

Are you alright? How can an intelligent boy be turned down because of his religion. This one self.

CU has done nothing wrong here

They have broken no law and they are within their rights to deny anyone admission.


If the guy is that brilliant, let him take JAMB again and apply to other schools. Look at the way the parents are behaving sef, very rascally.

Relax101:

Are you alright? How can an intelligent boy be turned down because of his religion. This one self.

Yes.
He should collect their money, etc, but when it comes to graduation, the school should set it's own standard. Not graduating a muslim should be one of those criteria.
Fanatical muslims can get appropriate education in sharia in Iran, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, not in southern Nigeria.

Absolute rubbish.I can't believe people are supporting the school authority.

It is not right to discriminate against anyone.IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE

DEALT WITH SQUARELY.WOW CU IS AT IT AGAIN

^^^ "again"? What happened before?

Really I believe this is a lie because-------

but that said, He is right because it is a private uni and I see nothing wrong in it.

Yes I am a muslim as well

Relax101:

Now this is just way out of order. This is discrimination and a real one for that matter.
They should charge the pro chancellor, chancellor, Vice chancellor, and the board of governors to court.


This is Africa and not Saudi Arabia abi na Iran. Every right thinking person should condemn this shameful and disgraceful act.

It is not discrimination. Covenant University is a Christian University, is it not obvious

All being said! Islamic banking should be given a free ride in the country. It must set its own standards not minding whose horse is gored. I believe everyone that supports the school nefarious act must potentially support islamic banking.

quote author=arsenefc link=topic=771573.msg9247384#msg9247384 date=1317341399]
CU has done nothing wrong here

They have broken no law and they are within their rights to deny anyone admission.


If the guy is that brilliant, let him take JAMB again and apply to other schools. Look at the way the parents are behaving sef, very rascally.

[/quote]

naijaking1:

Yes.
He should collect their money, etc, but when it comes to graduation, the school should set it's own standard. Not graduating a muslim should be one of those criteria.
Fanatical muslims can get appropriate education in sharia in Iran, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, not in southern Nigeria.

[quote author=naijaking1 link=topic=771573.msg9247199#msg9247199 date=1317337364]
Is this not a private school?
The owners of the school or corporation are allowed within our constitution to formulate certain administrative and academic policies to enhance their investment. If requiring that applicants display a certain degree of honesty as a condition for admission, what wrong with that?
Personally, I don't think the school should deny young muslims admission based on religion, but the school should insist that every student must convert to christianity in order to graduate. Afterall, there is no need graduating potential bomb carrying students who would soil the school's name.

You guys are illitrates. If you are actually educated then you are Educated illitrates.

You seem to be incapable of comprehending the matter at hand.

This a matter of law and not sentiments. I'm a christian and I understand what the people who established tie school are trying to uphold. But under tie guidelines establishing public and private universities, they have on right to do what they have done.

Someone should advise tie school to find a way to settle this, if the guy's father takes them to court over this, if will obtain an easy and straightforward win over tie school. It,s that simple. And that will put tie school in even tighter positions in the future because of the "precedence".

alj_harem:

Really I believe this is a lie because-------

but that said, He is right because it is a private uni and I see nothing wrong in it.

Yes I am a muslim as well

alj_harem:

It is not discrimination. Covenant University is a Christian University, is it not obvious

So if the early missionaries have discriminated against the Muslims from attending their schools, it would have been a racist and cruel will on their part, right?

naijaking1:

Yes.
He should collect their money, etc, but when it comes to graduation, the school should set it's own standard. Not graduating a muslim should be one of those criteria.
[b]Fanatical muslims [/b]can get appropriate education in sharia in Iran, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, not in southern Nigeria.

Did they say He was fanatic?
Afterall Sanusi claimed he went to kings college, did it stop him from being a die-hard tribalist or having a degree in sharia/Islamic studies?

lanre_front:

quote author=arsenefc link=topic=771573.msg9247384#msg9247384 date=1317341399]

If the guy is that brilliant, let him take JAMB again and apply to other schools. Look at the way the parents are behaving sef, very rascally.
You guys are illitrates. If you are actually educated then you are Educated illitrates.

You seem to be incapable of comprehending the matter at hand.

This a matter of law and not sentiments. I'm a christian and I understand what the people who established tie school are trying to uphold. But under tie guidelines establishing public and private universities, they have on right to do what they have done.

Someone should advise tie school to find a way to settle this, if the guy's father takes them to court over this, if will obtain an easy and straightforward win over tie school. It,s that simple. And that will put tie school in even tighter positions in the future because of the "precedence".

Mr. educate christian literate, which kind vernacular accent dey confuse you so?
Tie school simply said no to someone who lied in his application. Do you understand tie matter under discussion here?
Show us tie guideline where it said tie private christian schools must accept tie muslims

Relax101:

Did they say He was fanatic?
Afterall Sanusi claimed he went to kings college, did it stop him from being a die-hard tribalist or having a degree in sharia/Islamic studies?

Sanusi going to Kings college was a mistake, because after he ended up in Khartoum for fanatical islamic studies, see how badly he's turned out for us
If he had gone to some almajiri school his peers attended in Kano, he wouldn't be causing all these confusion today.

naijaking1:

Mr. educate christian literate, which kind vernacular accent dey confuse you so?
Tie school simply said no to someone who lied in his application. Do you understand tie matter under discussion here?
Show us tie guideline where it said tie private christian schools must accept tie muslims

Sanusi going to Kings college was a mistake, because after he ended up in Khartoum for fanatical islamic studies, see how badly he's turned out for us
If he had gone to some almajiri school his peers attended in Kano, he wouldn't be causing all these confusion today.

You don kill me here. I laughed so hard. A whole CBN governor na him u yeye like this.

Relax101:


You don kill me here. I laughed so hard. A whole CBN governor na him u yeye like this.

It is true now. How can someone study Economics, then go ahead to Islamic studies? Why can't he get his PhD in Economics? I think the guy took the easy way out.

Yeah, I think He probably went to school just to fulfil the desires of his parents as a son of an elite Northerner.
If not, Na second in command to Osama bin Laden him for be.

Okay, first of all he lied on his application so the school has grounds to deny him based on that. U are not supposed to lie or deceive any institution in order to get admitted.

2nd, it is a private Christian school hence it has the right admit people based on religion. Its not govt owned public institution. Its private hence it has a right to enjoy its autonomy.

3rd, how many Christian or non-muslim are admitted in any Islamic school out there? I am sure the criteria before admission will be to convert to Islam immediately or lose admission.

People should stop hyperventilating over nothing.

If the father sues he will surely lose so they should suck it up and look for a public school or private Islamic school.

Imagine a Xtian school where Muslims will take breaks to do their prayers. Haha The school can deny Hindus, Buddhists, Jewish people admission if they deem fit.

i wonder why the boy's father is playing with his son's education in this manner.

i guess he doesnt want him to go to university just yet.

the boy is brilliant, and the only school you could think of to send him to, is a private strict christian university even though you're devoted muslims?

doesnt add up.


some observant muslims wouldnt want their kids in christian environments like that where they'd be exposed to a different religion,  should the school even offer them admission.

if they were liberal muslims now that's different.

what's wrong with the federal universities?

@ topic

i dont think the boy should be denied admission of course, but what were the problems the school said they had with previous muslim students.

does anyone know?

^^^
Christian schools should be at liberty to deny muslims admission, especially if there is no chance of converting them to christianity. Education for muslims is what Boko Haram is all about, they should go to their own designated schools.

Its a Private School HOHA!!!!!! The government of Nigeria or the state is not sponsoring the school so they at liberty to deny u admission for any reason including being cross-eyed, left-handed, ugly, good looking, fat, thin, atheist, gay, straight, bisexual, trans-gender, etc. Seems ridiculous but its totally possible. Its like whining and threatening to sue because I denied you Kola nut because u are not an Igbo man. Na my Kola nut no be urs or Nigeria's Kolanut hence I can do whatever. Even clubs have a right to deny u entrance for no and any reason. A bartender can refuse to even sell u drink. As long as its a private owned entity and the owners have no problem u just have to deal with it and move on.

udezue:

Its a Private School HOHA!!!!!! The government of Nigeria or the state is not sponsoring the school so they at liberty to deny u admission for any reason including being cross-eyed, left-handed, ugly, good looking, fat, thin, atheist, man-lover, straight, bisexual, trans-gender, etc. Seems ridiculous but its totally possible. Its like whining and threatening to sue because I denied you Kola nut because u are not an Igbo man. Na my Kola nut no be urs or Nigeria's Kolanut hence I can do whatever. Even clubs have a right to deny u entrance for no and any reason. A bartender can refuse to even sell u drink. As long as its a private owned entity and the owners have no problem u just have to deal with it and move on.

Ordinarily under the lawy. I don't need a licence to sell Kunnu or kolanut
But NUC licenses universities and NUC specifically prohibits denying people admission on account of religion
Same way that NBC will not licence a broadcasting station meant specifically for religious purposes
What is logical is for a student to expect that his case will be determined by the certain rules of NUC and JAMB brochure
rather than the emotional response of Nairaland

tpia@:

i wonder why the boy's father is playing with his son's education in this manner.

i guess he doesnt want him to go to university just yet.

the boy is brilliant, and the only school you could think of to send him to, is a private strict christian university even though you're devoted muslims?

doesnt add up.


some observant muslims wouldnt want their kids in christian environments like that where they'd be exposed to a different religion,  should the school even offer them admission.

if they were liberal muslims now that's different.

what's wrong with the federal universities?

Don't bother. I understand Islam and I went to a christian school. NOTHING will ever make me convert.
I actually believe the intolerance of Nigerian christians is peculiar! Is that what I want to become

If you say a private university is right to deny applicants of admission based on religion then you should not complain if an Islamic Bank turns down loan applications based on religion. This is why I laugh when people say Nigeria is a secular country.

naijaking1:


Sanusi going to Kings college was a mistake, because after he ended up in Khartoum for fanatical islamic studies, see how badly he's turned out for us
If he had gone to some almajiri school his peers attended in Kano, he wouldn't be causing all these confusion today.

lagcity:

It is true now. How can someone study Economics, then go ahead to Islamic studies? Why can't he get his PhD in Economics? I think the guy took the easy way out.

But it is acceptable for Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Finance and now Minister of Trade and Investment, chartered accountant to have a degree in THEOLOGY

MDs of banks proudly presenting themselves as pastors are on the right track
The former DG of Nigerian Stock Exchange (before Okereke-Onyiuke) referring to himself as an Apostle is acceptable?

People accusing others of fanaticism have often crossed the line and sunk deep into extremism while deluding themselves they are liberal. I reckon that the christian  lady who disrupted a mosque service in UI saw herself as a liberal