₦airaland Forum

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/ICAN-Accreditation-Team-Lauds-Standard-of-Programme-at-CU#.U-aAAfldUX0


6

ICAN Accreditation Team Lauds Standard of Programme at CU
Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles K. Ayo making his remarks at the meeting

After three days of an intense resource verification exercise by a five-man accreditation panel from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the preliminary reports of the team has commended the level and depth of resources available in the Department of Accounting in Covenant University.
Addressing the Management of the University at the end of what was considered a peer review exercise, the team leader, Professor Ishola Akintoye said that having done an extensive assessment of the activities in the Department of Accounting, they were satisfied with the structures in place.

Professor Akintoye commended the philosophy of the programme at Covenant University’s Department of Accounting, noting that the philosophy and objectives of the department is in tandem with the prescribed template of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and ICAN.

He noted that the strict adherence to the minimum requirements of NUC and ICAN by the department is worthy of mention as the team was granted unfettered access to the files of students and other admission documents.

In addition, the team applauded the quality of lecture delivery at the disposal of the department. According to Professor Akintoye, “The quality of delivery matters a lot and we are proud of what we saw during our work in the past three days. We asked to be part of the classes we visited and saw the depth and quality in terms of lecture delivery.”

According to the ICAN accreditation team, the minimum benchmark for any accounting related programme to be accredited was that there must be at least four ICAN certified members in the teaching cadre, but Covenant University’s accounting department surpassed this by having 10 chartered accountants in its fold and two adjuncts, who were at the verge of becoming chartered.

They commended the University’s Management policy of sponsoring every faculty to one international and one local conference every year. This they said, would help professionals in the department to keep abreast of international best practice. The team said the department of accounting, academically, was doing great; however, there was need for the leadership of the department to ensure that incoming faculty were not only academically qualified, but also professionally certified.

Professor Akintoye noted that a thorough review of the examination system of the department revealed that the examination questions, scripts and marking guide were in line with the Institute’s standards. The team appealed to the Management to help bolster their capacities in conducting, monitoring and grading examination materials.

Furthermore, he said the quality of project materials after evaluation was breathtaking and impressive, taking into account the fact that it was the project work of first-degree students. According to him, “All elements of a perfectly executed project work were present in all the previous projects submitted to the department, and this is highly laudable when compared with what some institutions of learning accept as projects.”

The team leader said they were impressed with the state of the accounting laboratory and appreciated the quality of software packages that were available for the students to work with. They said that the students could really use them was a delight to the institute and they having the privilege to try them out proved that the laboratory was a place that was actively in use. On why they had to try them out, Professor Akintoye said, “Many schools get the trial version that gets expired after a while, but what we saw in your laboratory was the real thing and that is worthy of emulation by other institutions.”

Other areas of remarkable interest as pointed out by the accreditation team were the library resources of the department, the departmental journals and the validation of the quality of graduates of the department as attested to by the letters from employers of labour, notably the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and other financial institutions in the country.

Professor Akintoye rounded off by stating that the whole exercise was to see how much the standards in the Department of Accounting, Covenant University, has improved or dropped since the 2009 accreditation exercise, and they were proud to say that the ante has been raised.

The Head, Department of Accounting, Dr. Francis Iyorha, thanked the ICAN team for their commendations and observations, promising that the department would make adjustments where necessary and improve on its ratings when next the team comes calling.

The Director, Academic Planning Unit, Dr. Akan Williams, said that the University from the B.Sc to PhD levels takes the Entrepreneurial Development Studies (EDS) seriously and that at every level of education in the Covenant University culture the students must master one out of every vocation being taught there, irrespective of the programme of study.

In the same vein, the Director, Centre for Learning Resources (CLR), Dr. Christopher Nkiko, told the accreditation panel that the departmental library requested for by department of accounting was part of the strategic plan, which will address the needs of all colleges, schools and departments in the University.

The Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, said that the Department would start driving the policy of ensuring that the professional grade points required of lecturers in the Department of Accounting is attained before the year runs out.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, commended the peer review mechanism, which is the best way to knowing where we are and how to improve on it. According to him, Management would take all recommendations and advice seriously, and work assiduously to make the practice of the profession better.

Professor Ayo commended the quality of leadership at the helms of affairs in College of Development Studies (CDS ) and the Department. This he said is the reason that the department has been able to do great and wonderfully well.

He noted that no institution is worthy of existence if it cannot affect the nation positively. In his words, “Any nation void of accountability, probity and integrity would experience a dearth in development; thus the importance of an institute like ICAN in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.”

The accreditation panel donated academic and professional journals and CDs to the department as a means of appreciating the good work going on there.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Taiwo Abioye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aaron Atayero, the Registrar, Mr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, Director, Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo, Dr. Adeniran Fakile and Dr. Oluku Mukoro.

2

University of Lincoln Holds Graduate Workshop for Covenant University Students
Director for International Office & Linkages, Dr. Sheriff Folarin

Covenant University in partnership with Lincoln University, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, United Kingdom, held an interactive sensitization workshop for Mass Communication undergraduate students of Covenant University on Friday, April, 24th, 2014.
The workshop which was co-organized by Anapplaise Nigeria Ltd, the University of Lincoln representatives in Nigeria, headed by Mrs. Eve Enakimio, featured both power-point, and verbal historical presentations about the University of Lincoln.

In his opening remarks at the event, the Coordinator of International Student Services, Dr. Olujide Adekeye, representing the Director for International Office & Linkages, Dr. Sheriff Folarin, announced that the University of Lincoln came with good news for all CU students who wish to go further in their educational pursuits.

He went on to explain that following the current high rate of graduate degrees abroad, the University of Lincoln has come to make CU students an offer which would increase their chances of getting a graduate degree abroad, particularly in Lincoln University.

Making a comment at the event, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Dokun Omojola, thanked the representatives of the University of Lincoln for coming, while stating that CU has a tradition of democratizing opportunities even after student’s graduation, making it easy for students to choose to stay and work, or go back to school.

He further stated that the essence of the meeting was metaphorically to “Show Light” as it were, to the students as regards their individual decisions for further studies.

In her presentation at the event, the Managing Director of Anappleis Ltd, Mrs. Eve Enakimio, explained that the University of Lincoln is one of the top as well as research active universities in the UK. It is also strongly linked to the industry.

Mentioning some Nigerians like, Dr. Kolawole Ogunyemi and Dr. Ngozi Okoye, Mrs. Enakimio said they made decisions for further studies with the University of Lincoln and are currently doing well in their various areas of concentration.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Kolawole Ogunyemi, an Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Lincoln, and a guest speaker at the event, noted that the University of Lincoln has both teaching and research excellence, and is currently among the first five Universities in the UK in research excellence. He enjoined the students to strive towards professionalism and in-depth knowledge of their areas of study and interest.

Dr. Ogunyemi went ahead to elucidate on both the scholarly benefit of studying in Lincoln, and the financial implications; which he explained has been reviewed downwards to enable the students realize their dreams of quality graduate education.

He also explained how Lincoln can affect their lives socially and culturally; stating that the all-round experience will prepare them for a balanced and robust work life in future. The Lincoln University d

on rounded off his speech by taking questions from students as touching their various areas of interest.

Furthermore, he promised them continuous counselling and availability of the University of Lincoln all through their decision, registration and visa processing process. This he said would be at no extra cost to them.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/University-of-Lincoln-Holds-Graduate-Workshop-for-Covenant-University-Students#.U-Z9bfldUX0

17

Covenant University Hosts International Bioinformatics Workshop
Covenant University's Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Prof.Adebiyi (Head CUBRe) and the participants

About 30 Postgraduate students and five resource persons from 12 countries of the world are currently participating in the on-going International workshop on Bioinformatics hosted by Covenant University, Ota.
The workshop which commenced on Monday, April 21, 2014 is slated for five weeks and will end on Monday, May 26, 2014.

Postgraduate students from across the world who specialise in Biology, Computer Science, Medical Science, Bioinformatics among others and also resource persons from Computer and Information Science Department of Covenant University, South Africa, Canada, and Australia are exchanging ideas in a workshop sponsored by H3ABioNet (National Institute of Health).

While addressing the participants at the workshop, the Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo stated that the University was delighted to have the visitors from various part of the world on her campus.

He stated further that though the workshop was not the first to be hosted by the institution, but it gives him great joy that the current workshop came up at a time when the University is passionately driving the vision to be one of the 10 leading universities in the world tagged “Vision 10:2022, One of 10 in 10”.

He therefore advised the students to optimise the opportunity as scholars so as to return to their various destinations empowered because the idea of collaboration is very important for developing countries.“It’s nice to have you around” he said.

On the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Taiwo Abioye and the Registrar, Mr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Covenant-University-Hosts-International-Bioinformatics-Workshop#.U-Z9a_ldUX0

Investment One Inaugurates Club
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles K. Ayo making his remarks at the meeting

Investment One, a financial service limited, on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, launched Covenant University Chapter of Investment Club and inducted some students of the University.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Registrar of the University, Mr Olumuyiwa Oludayo stated that the goal of the club is to educate the students on how to encounter financial freedom and become enterprisingly self dependent graduates who would be of assistance to others.

He stated further that lack of this consciousness makes graduates dependent on parents, friends and relatives. “The club will consist of a group of people who will have financial intelligence and invest to make the world a better place to stay”, he said.

While addressing the students, Head, Investment Education, Investment One Limited, Mr. Iyobosa Ihaza described the investment club as a group of people who pools their money together to make investment.

He said the objective of the company is to boost the investment culture of undergraduates by creating an awareness programme. “It will be a platform of knowledge and capacity building” he said

He enumerated the benefits of the club which include educational experience, practical exposure, sound advice, opportunity of internship and investment ambassador among others.

The club will be divided into seven sectors which include Financial, Industrial, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, ICT, Consumer goods, as well as Hotel and Tourism.

High point of the event was the launching of the club by the Registrar of the University, Mr Olumuyiwa Oludayo and the appointment of the pioneer executives of the club.

Mr. Oikah Samuel, a 300 Level Accounting student was appointed as the President, while Miss. Abeng Blessing, a 400 Level Biochemistry and Mr. Ekeoparah Tobechukwu, a 300 Level Business Administration student were appointed Secretary and Research Coordinator respectively.

In an interview with the Executive of the Investment Club, the President stated that they were appointed because of their capability to handle the responsibility.

He said as the pioneer President of the club, he planned to draft the constitution for the club and appoint leaders into the seven sectors to coordinate activities and further publicize the club. He added that the club would educate students on how to go about investment and to be financially inclined.

In the same vein, the Secretary of the club, Blessing Abeng, noted that major seminars would be organised to educate students on how to invest because many have limited knowledge of investment. “I will like to introduce the club to the Alumni base of the University” she said.

On his part, the Research Coordinator, Mr. Ekeoparah Tobechukwu said that he would make research on new development in universities around the world and ensure that there are innovations that would make the club significant.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Investment-One-Inaugurates-Club#.U-Z9afldUX0

World Renowned Economists, Industrialists Commend CU for ICADI Initiative
(L-R) Acting Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Sarah Alade, Pro-Chancellor, Covenant University, Pastor Abraham Ojeme, Chancellor, Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo. Keynote Address Speaker, Professor Thomas J. Sargent, at the Conference

Reputable economists, industrialists and academics from around the world who gathered at the just concluded Covenant University 1st International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI) have commended the University for taking a bold stand towards helping Africa come out of the woods.
One of those who lauded Covenant University was the 2007 Nobel Prize winner in Economic Sciences, Professor Eric Maskin. According to him, the University’s commitment towards understanding the importance of international issues and the creation of a platform for the conference on African development shows how serious and committed the University is to the major problems of our time.

Professor Maskin said he was very impressed with the quality of panelists and the thoughts brought to bear on issues. This he said was remarkable and speaks of standard and quality in the group the University wants to associate with.

Professor Thomas Sargent, the 2011 Nobel Prize Winner in Economic Sciences and proponent of ‘rational expectations model and freshwater economics movement’ said he was impressed with Covenant University, as most of what his professional colleagues told him back in the United States actually turned out to be true and even better.

Professor Sargent said with what he saw in Covenant University there was no doubt that the University has a definite focus to execute its plan to actually be involved in shaping world issue as it pertains to the African continent.

The Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade, said she was impressed by the level of involvement of the students and quality of human resources available in the University, which could be identified by how organized the staff and students are. According to her, “From what I have heard, one will easily agree that we can be proud of the quality of the products of this institution anytime.”

Dr. Alade appreciated the picturesque of the landscape, neatness of the environment and the nice structures that have been put in place to engender learning.

An industrialist, Mr. Oladipo Bankole said Covenant University has invited the right kind of people considering the topic discussed and they have done justice to the issues. “If we are able to pick the main issues that are discussed here and work on them, we shall obtain very positive results and for this reason, I am proud of what the University has done.”

On his impression of the institution, Mr. Bankole said, “I went to the University of Ibadan and later proceeded to University of London. This is completely a new experience for me in Nigeria’s education system and when you are told it is just 12 years old, it is completely out of this world. To know that our people have done this, that it is an initiative of a Nigerian, it makes it even more outstanding. I am extremely proud of what has been achieved here.”

Professor Ade Oyejide of the University of Ibadan said this was his first visit to the University and he was impressed and has challenged the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo to help tell the audience how a private institution like Covenant University manages to do things that Nigeria as a country does not seem to be able to do.

In addition, the Professor Emeritus of Economics said “The whole purpose of what Covenant University has done is finding examples of things that have worked in the process of developing a country and finding ways to scale it up to the national level and if possible to the continental level, so that things that are learnt at the micro level can become instruments of macro initiatives. That is the only way the continent can make it and the Chancellor and the University Management should be commended for this drive.”

On his part, the President, Nigerian Economic Society, Professor Olu Ajakaiye, stated that Covenant University is a good example of how private initiatives can actually lead to development. According to him, “This is a University that is privately owned, but with the view of a world standard and I believe it would get there by God’s grace.”

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, represented by the Director Inspection and Monitoring, Dr. Noel Saliu, said the Commission was bold enough to affirm the quality and standards of academic work in the University.

According to him, “The excellent performance of the University’s first class graduates among their peers from other institutions at the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) is an indication of the dedicated crop of staff employed by the University. We at NUC do hope that the success of Covenant University will be a motivation to other Nigerian universities to improve on their teaching quality because education is a very important tool for achieving economic development,” he added.

Similarly, the erstwhile Executive Secretary of the Commission and the Pro-Chancellor of Crawford University, Professor Peter Okebukola, said he sees a future where the economic policies of Africa and the world would be shaped on the platform of CU-ICADI.

Professor Okebukola while delivering his goodwill message at the conference said he has been divinely inspired to express his belief that what Covenant University has started through the conference would evolve to a status better than what is currently happening at Davos.

The conference attracted participants from all walks of life, including scholars and policy administrators. Some of the panelists at the 2-day conference include Professor Jonathan Leape of the London School of Economics, Professor Olu Ajakaiye of Nigerian Economic Society, Dr. Sarah Alade, Acting Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Ade Oyejide, University of Ibadan, Professor John Ifediora of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, USA, Dr. Jonathan Aremu of the ECOWAS Common Investment Market.

Others are the former Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Deputy Dean, School of Business, Covenant University, Ota, Professor Kenneth Adeyemi, Director General, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu and the Group Managing Director/CEO designate of Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, represented by Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed among others.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/World-Renowned-Economists-Industrialists-Commend-CU-for-ICADI-Initiative#.U-Z9YvldUX0

8

CU, NOTAP trains faculty on Intellectual Property
Director, Covenant University Centre for Research and Development (CUCERD), Professor Louis Egwari giving his vote of thanks at the programme

In order to acquaint the faculty and staff with the global trend in the use of intellectual property, Covenant University has organized a 3-day training/workshop with the theme: "Intellectual Property Right and Patent Documentation Procedures".
The workshop, put together by the University's Centre for Endowment Research and Development (CUCERD) in conjunction with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) as well as the Nigerian Copyright Commission, held between May 14 and 16, 2014.

The resource persons drawn from various governmental agencies and the University were able to pass across information on the state of intellectual property in Nigeria, the values of intellectual property as an asset and the need to take intellectual property more serious by both faculty and students.

According to one of the resource persons and the Director, Nigerian Copyright Institute, Mr. John Asein, the participants now have the understanding of the rules governing intellectual property and the economic importance of the same.

"We've been able to pass across information on importance or value of intellectual property and how any person/academic can easily spin so much out of the use of intellectual property.

"We have also been able to see why it is important for lecturers to understand the rules so that they don't only leave by those rules, but able to pass them to the students. So that when they deal with copyright works or other people's intellectual property, they will see and appreciate the need to do it according to the rules", Mr. Asein explained.

Earlier during a courtesy call by the resource persons, led by the Director of Intellectual Property Right at NOTAP, Engineer Joseph Nwosa, noted that the University is doing well and it’s a trail blazer among the universities where IPTTOs are situated. He added that the agency would like to see the University's patents turned to products.

At the wrap-up session in the Vice Chancellor’s office, the Director of CUCERD, Professor Louis Egwari, stated that through the knowledge from the workshop, quite a lot of faculty have come to appreciate copyright issues and gave assurance that by the end of the year, there would be more harvest of patents applications from them.

Professor Egwari added that nine out of the 15 patent applications submitted to NOTAP by the University’s faculty have been accepted for further processing.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Registrar, Covenant University, Mr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo noted that as it is the desire of the University to be leader in every area it found itself, it also planned to partner with like minded institutions for mutual benefits.

In his remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo said that the training would leave indelible mark on the University at this time when it is running with the vision 1 of 10 in 10. “With this finding, we are more informed to be able to teach other faculty and students”. He appreciated them for leaving their comfort zone in order to impart the University.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-NOTAP-trains-faculty-on-Intellectual-Property#.U-Z9VvldUX0

CIPM Seeks Partnership with Covenant University
Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles K. Ayo, other Members of CU Management and officials from CIPM in a group photograph after the meeting

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has initiated moves toward consummating a partnership with Covenant University. This was at the instance of a visit by the executives of the institute to the University, led by its Registrar/CEO, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi.
Mr. Adeyemi said CIPM choose to collaborate with Covenant University because it is one of the few privately owned institutions offering a programme in Human Resource Management in Nigeria. He added that since the institute has had the privilege of recruiting some graduates of the University, there was no doubt that Covenant University was the appropriate place to start from.

The Director of Professional Development at the Institute, Dr. Charles Ugwu said the essence of the visit was to partner with the University and bridge the disconnect between town and gown by ensuring that graduates of Covenant University are both academically sound and professionally certified.

According to him, the relationship between CIPM and Covenant University, if executed, would lead to dual qualifications for students in the social sciences and humanities departments of the University. This means they would have the University’s degree as well as being professionally certified by the institute in the area of Human Resource Management.

Dr. Ugwu noted that it was very possible for students of the University to easily navigate through the institute’s certification programme while at the same time preparing for their degree examination by just reading through the syllabus of CIPM and aligning it with the course content currently in use in the University’s human resource management curriculum.

The certification process of the institute, he stated, is in three different stages, the foundational, intermediate and professional levels, with examinations scheduled to hold every third week of February and August of each year.

In addition, he noted that the institute would be pleased to recommend to CIPM Senate for approval, the establishment of an examination centre in Covenant University. According to him, “We have not had it anywhere, but we think it is going to be possible here because we have seen capacities and facilities that can make it happen.”

CIPM, through the Professional Development department is also looking forward to having Covenant University become one of the hosting grounds for the annual CIPM quiz competition for universities in the South-West Zone of the country.

The institute’s Director of Membership Development, Mrs. Toyin Ojudun, said CIPM would be looking at the prospects of establishing a students’ chapter in Covenant University that would engender membership through adequate engagement of the students toward certification, with their local chapter being the coordinating point.

Mrs. Ojudun also informed the gathering that CIPM has a new platform for certification in place, which is getting membership through the Executives Course Programme. According to her, the route is for senior human resources managers with over 10 years postgraduate experience.

This will be open to individuals in the University like the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, Directors among others. This group, she opined will be exempted from examinations, but must have evidence to show that they have cross-functional management experience.

The institute also has a programme called the Human Resources Practitioners route, solely packaged for junior/middle managers, first line managers, and supervisors.

Dr. Adeniyi Sholarin of Covenant University’s Department of Psychology, said that he was not surprised by the accolade of the CIPM team on the University’s graduates in the professional examinations of the institute.

According to him, since sociology and psychology are in the institute’s examination, he and a couple of other like minded individuals in the University have consistently invested time in helping students who take an interest in CIPM programmes to lecture them and prepare them for the certification test. In his words, “From our classroom lectures, any of our students can pass the institute’s exam at first sitting.”

At an open interactive session, the institute was asked to create waivers for students with the intent of becoming members of CIPM. This they said would guarantee that students are not over-burdened, taking into account the number of courses already on them, and also ensure that CIPM and Covenant University do not contravene the nation’s universities regulatory bodies position on number of courses a student should be engaged with per time.

The University also advised the team to go beyond seeking to sign up students, to also collaborating with the University in most of her programmes and events. This they said is what would actually foster an enduring relationship.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, appreciated the visiting team for the kind words validating the quality of Covenant University graduates. He also told them the best is yet to come.

Professor Ayo said he was impressed with the presentation and intentions of CIPM and that he looked forward to the partnership getting underway. According to him, “This visit and proposal are well accepted and a committee will be put in place immediately for further engagement to properly situate what shape the partnership will take.”

Professor Ayo commended Dr. Adeniyi Sholarin and others for their investment of time and energy in ensuring that the wide gulf between town and gown is adequately bridged, through the extra hours of helping prepare both students and faculty seeking professional certification of CIPM.

In attendance at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration), Professor Taiwo Abioye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aaron Atayero, Registrar, Mr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, Deputy Dean, School of Social Science, Dr. Daniel Gberevbie, Deputy Dean, School of Business, Professor Kenneth Adeyemi, Heads of Department of Banking and Finance, Business Management, Psychology and senior members of Faculty in the College of Development Studies.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CIPM-Seeks-Partnership-with-Covenant-University#.U-Z9VPldUX0

dayosaurus: can you stop saying the word shutup, its making you sound like a slowpoke... Envious of a school for mentally challenged peeps? Tell me another joke.... The alumni of my school [OAU] achievements? Let me not start counting....

If you know it, start counting... or start your own thread for OAU. Mentally challenged people and IBM, Cisco and Microsoft is employing them. I did not say OAU is not great, they are but stop hating CU!.

Bioinformatics Workshop is Preparing us for the coming Medical Revolution … Professor Adebiyi
Prof. Adebiyi addressing the participants during a project development session

The just concluded Bioinformatics International Workshop that gathered scholars within and outside of the African continent to train, with the aim of solving African problems as it pertains to human health and hereditary challenges, has been hailed as a huge success.
Professor Ezekiel Adebiyi of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences stated this during his evaluation of the five-week workshop. According to him, the H3ABioNet Consortium is a pan African bioinformatics network, working towards turning symptom-based diagnosis to personal medicine or what may be called a “genome base solution” to health care delivery. That is, using both genes and non-coding sequences of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) of individuals to appropriately determine what is wrong at any point in time.

The workshop, he said, would help participants develop capacities in the relevant areas of human health and hereditary projects, with the peculiarities of being Africans brought to bear on ways H3 challenges are addressed. In addition, he said the workshop would among other things develop the bioinformatics capacity of people in Africa, empowering them to perform cutting-edge research, and ensure retention of bioinformatics skills on the continent.

Professor Adebiyi, who also heads Covenant University Bioinformatics Research cluster, said Covenant University is the only Nigerian university in the consortium and successfully hosting the first H3ABioNet Bioinformatics Postgraduate Workshop is a thing of pride, because the funding agencies, National Institute of Health, United States of America, and Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom would have seen the University’s capacity to engage effectively in long term projects and as such would be ready, subsequently, to sponsor research works and collaborations that might last as long as 6 months to 1 year.

According to him, “The success of this workshop will attract people to our campus for research based projects, because of the accomplishment of the last 5 weeks. We are currently building structures to make that happen and with the kind of support we are enjoying, within the next 5 to 7 years, we should be drawing huge benefits from this technological revolution that will soon turn medicine around.”

Professor Adebiyi appreciated the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo, who through the David Oyedepo Foundation (DOF) became a big plus to the success of the workshop. He added that DOF was able to make funds available to accommodate participants in a conducive environment, which was far better than what they had in mind initially, and this he said is what international agencies have been looking forward to, that Africa based funding bodies should be involved in this kind of projects.

In addition, Professor Adebiyi stated that the H3 Africa consortium is made up of 26 institutions in Africa and some others in the United States and United Kingdom, and from the advertising phase of the workshop till now, the popularity of Covenant University has moved from the realm of being known with the consortium, to that of a capable host of the consortium, thus attracting a huge web presence and attention.

Furthermore, NIH and Wellcome Trust having signed up on the workshop with Covenant University and appraised our capacity to deliver, would easily recommend applications for grants for research clusters from Covenant University to other funding agencies, thus putting a seal of credibility and acceptance on activities of researchers in the University.

Also, the workshop has availed faculty, experts and participants from different institutions to see possible areas of collaboration for further advancement of research activities. No doubt, ripple effects would open Covenant University up for greater things.

H3ABioNet is a pan African Bioinformatics network comprising 32 bioinformatics groups distributed amongst 15 African countries and 2 partner institutions based in the United States of America.

The five-week workshop attracted participants and facilitators from South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania, Morocco, Ghana, Canada, Nigeria and 2 from Covenant University.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Bioinformatics-Workshop-is-Preparing-us-for-the-coming-Medical-Revolution-Professor-Adebiyi#.U-Z9T_ldUX0

Covenant University Unveils 2014 Summer Programme
(3rd – R) Dr. Roland Worlu, Coordinator of the Covenant University Centre for Life-Long Learning, with one of the visiting Professors, Victor Mbarika (4th – R) and other Covenant University faculty members after one of the workshops.

The faculty and staff of Covenant University, as well as the general public are scheduled to begin a series of highly impactful summer training symposiums, workshops and conferences, covering diverse areas of study and anchored by very reputable visiting professors from world-class Universities.
The training events scheduled to run till the end of June, 2014, is anchored by the University’s Centre for Life-long Learning headed by Dr. Roland Worlu, in collaboration with the International Office and Linkages Directorate, headed by Dr. Sheriff Folarin.

Planned alongside the summer events, is the Summer Exchange Programme for regulars students, who would be going abroad on the 27th of June, 2014 for various types of vocational trainings.

Speaking on the exchange programme, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo, said the exercise is specially put together to make Covenant University students stand out in the global job market. The Vice-Chancellor observed that the recruitment companies often express how cultural immersion can be more valuable than one more certificate, and Multi National Enterprises (MNEs) want their companies to thrive with graduates valuing cross-cultural experience.

The Summer Exchange programme, has evolved according to the Vice-Chancellor, since the inception of the scheme in 2011. It now features vocational courses in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering; 3D laser scanning; Design & 3D printing; Aerospace Engineering (Jet Engine Performance Analysis and Flight Simulation Experience) and Petroleum & Gas Engineering (Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques, Mud Engineering). Others are: Business & Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Entrepreneurship; Employability Skills; Media City & Cultural Capital; Current Issues in Financial Services; Introduction to Applied Psychology; Spaces and Places; International Business; Entrepreneurship and American History & Culture.

The participating Universities, Professor Ayo said, are from the United States and Britain. The Universities for the United States Summer School location, include, Fayetteville State University; North Carolina and Tuskegee University, Alabama. While the Universities listed for the summer in Britain are: University of the West of England; University of Roehampton, London; Teesside University; Lincoln University; University of Northampton; and the University of Birmingham.

The Director of the International Office and Linkages of Covenant University, Dr. Sheriff Folarin, while speaking on the redesigning of the components of the CU Summer School Exchange Programme, said, “Unlike previous summer exchange programmes, which were more of taster programmes, students will this time around, have the opportunity to undertake courses and obtain quality certificates in vocational skills and specialized courses.”

Dr. Folarin also explained that the programme will give the students, a better appreciation of other cultures as well as their own; prepare them to face challenges in the future, by learning to creatively solve problems, since it also encourages a better understanding of their personal strengths and weaknesses.

Commenting on the Summer Training Initiative, the Coordinator of the Covenant University Centre for Life-Long Learning, Dr. Roland Worlu, described the ongoing programme for this year’s summer training as an unparalleled opportunity for everyone who values self-development to enhance their skills in order to add value to themselves, their organizations or institutions.

Dr. Worlu enthused that his dream is to see this Summer Training initiative turn into a full-blown Institute that will bridge the educational gap in all departments of the University, and enable people who ordinarily would not have been able to pick up their educational journey from where they stopped due to age, time factor, or similar handicaps be able to get back on their educational tracks.

Furthermore, he said, “Having had the opportunity to interact with other Universities abroad, I have a broader view of both the local dimension of Life-long Learning which involves local resource personnel; as well as the International dimension of Life-long Learning which involves International trainers or resource personnel.”

Dr. Worlu stated that the Centre for Life-long Learning has come a long way to gaining significant recognition since its inception in 2011; with most of its accomplishments coming under his dynamic leadership; as his vision is to turn the Centre into a global capacity building platform, alongside CU’s regular programmes.

He listed the various courses available on the vocational training platform as, Web Mobile Application Development; Chemical Analysis and Laboratory Techniques; Autocad & Inventor; Real Estate Marketing; Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) Intro & ADV; Practical Software Design Development; Customer Service Strategies; S A P TERP-10; Real Estate Development Software; Computer Appreciation & Internet; Printed Circuit Board Design Training; Microcontroller Based System Design Training; Renewable or Alternative Energy; Autodesk 3D Studio; Group Decision Making; Certificate in Public Administration; Certificate in Print Journalism; Certificate in Policy Studies; Certificate in Basic Communicative French; Event Designing/Management, Pastries, Drinks/Water Production; Bakery; Grass Cutter Farming; Candle Making; Fish Farming; Tie & Dye/Batik; Soap and Cosmetics and Snail Farming.

Others are: E-HRM (practice for optimal performance); Econometric Modelling & Estimation Techniques; Writing of Business Plan & Feasibility Report; Fashion Designing; Beads &Wire Works; Shoe Making; Bags & Leather Works; Hairdressing & Barbing Saloon; Beauty Enhancement & Health Management; Photography & Video Coverage; Perfumery; Business Communication & Public Speaking; Data Analysis & Business Modelling Using Microsoft Excel; Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling; Certificate in Marketing & Salesmanship; Certificate in Public Relations and Advertising; Certificate in Financial Management; Certificate in Diplomacy; Certificate in Career Counselling; Corporate Finance & Investment; Social Statistic for Non-Statisticians; Professional Public Relations and Practice; E- Learning Workshop; Certificate in Relationship Skills Building; Counselling; Epidemiology/Reproductive Health (workshop); Financial Statement Analysis for Small & Medium Scale Enterprise (workshop); Organizational Branding & Service Marketing; Problem Solving and Decision Making; Basic Course in Social Statistical Packages; Counselling Skills for Specialized Professionals (Pastors/ Ministers).

Dr. Worlu said the programme time-table for each course, can be accessed via the university’s website for appropriate dates and time of take-off. He said certificates will be awarded for most of the courses.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Covenant-University-Unveils-2014-Summer-Programme#.U-Z9TfldUX0

UBA Executives Visit Covenant University
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles K. Ayo making his remarks at the meeting

The United Bank for Africa’s Strategic Business Group Head in charge of Lagos Mainland, Oyo and Ogun states, Mr. Ayoku Liadi, on Tuesday May 27, 2014 led some executives of the bank in the south-west region to visit Covenant University.
Mr. Liadi said the team was on a courtesy visit on behalf of the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, due to the strategic relationship that currently exists between the two institutions. According to him, the visit would also help him familiarize himself with the aspiration of the University and see how the existing relationship can be scaled up a step higher.

Mr. Liadi noted that part of what they have come to Covenant University for was to prepare the ground for the intended interaction between the Group Managing Director and the University’s Management, who he said, wants to come and witness firsthand the great things that have been said about Covenant University.

The bank’s Strategic Business Group Head said his bank in recent times has shown pivotal interest in two key areas of the nation’s economy; the education and the agricultural sector, and Covenant University being at the forefront of Nigeria’s education revamp is one of such institutions the bank would be happy to work with.

Mr. Liadi thanked the University Management for being a good host to UBA for the past 10 years and for giving the bank the opportunity to be part of the success story of the just concluded Covenant University 1st International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI 2014).

In addition, he said UBA wants to use the visit as a means of appreciating the University for granting them approval for the location of the bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the hostels area of the University’s campus. He concluded by stating that UBA is always open for talks that would engender growth and foster cordiality between both institutions.

Covenant University’s Director of Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo while appreciating the gradual robustness of UBA’s interactions with the University, was quick to advise the bank’s executives to do more in ensuring that holders of the bank’s ATM cards would be able to carry out transactions from other banks’ ATM points.

While commending UBA for their huge investment in the agro-allied industry, Pastor Okubanjo suggested the need for the bank to establish a working relationship with Covenant University’s sister institution, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, which is dedicated solely to the study of agriculture and sundry disciplines.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, appreciated the partnership role the United Bank of Africa, UBA, played in the successes recorded at CU-ICADI 2014. According to him, the involvement of the bank has made it more visible not just in the minds of the University community, but also the participants at the conference. He noted that the partnership between Covenant University and UBA is one that dates back to the inception of the University, and that it was one relationship the University would continue to nourish to greater heights.

Professor Ayo, while acknowledging the bank’s long-standing commitment to agro-allied sector of the economy, stated that the looming crisis on the African continent can be averted by adequate investment in education, and when the education is settled, the people would be able to feed themselves well, he added.

He charged the Federal Government to give priority attention to education and agriculture, because these two are what can give Nigeria her rightful place in the comity of nations. He commended the Minister of Agriculture for the giant strides he has taken in repositioning the nation agriculturally, but according to the Professor Ayo, the same cannot be said to be happening in the education sector

He decried the incessant interruption of the academic calendar of public academic institutions. This, he said, breeds frustration and drags back the little achievement made in the sector. In his words, “Sometime last year public universities were closed for six months, and at present, polytechnics in the country are in their tenth month of shut down, this is more or less giving the insurgents in the North-east of the country what they are looking for, doing away with western education.”

The professor of Computer Science said Covenant University’s drive towards the Vision 10:2022, which is to become one of the top 10 leading institutions of higher learning in the world by 2022 is strategically planned with well-designed and articulated plans, driven with commitment towards repositioning the education sector of Nigeria on the global map.

He reiterated Covenant University’s readiness to be open for discussions with partners that are willing to engage in endowment initiatives in the University. Furthermore, he averred that the University currently has a number of collaboration with various institutions around the world, but would not limit herself, as attempts at partnership with institutions of repute and like minds would be a continual exercise.

He asked UBA’s team to look at the possibilities of making room for undergraduates of Covenant University to serve their Students Industry Work Experience Scheme, SIWES programme with the bank. According to him, “The quality of the University graduates, as validated by industry, should become a recruiting avenue for UBA and other institutions desiring change agents in the system.”

He pledged the University’s commitment to also help in building partners’ capacity to stimulate high productivity.



http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/UBA-Executives-Visit-Covenant-University#.U-Z9SfldUX0

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Hosts-International-Conference-on-Demography-and-Economic-Development#.U-Z70PldUX0



CU Hosts International Conference on Demography and Economic Development
Representative of the Vice-Chancellor, and Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola giving the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks at the programme

As the world’s population continues to grow at an alarming rate and the palpable shortfall of corresponding infrastructure to make living comfortable for the populace, the Department of Economics and Development Studies of Covenant University organized an International Conference on Demography and Economic Development to signpost the challenges and prospects in population growth.
The two-day conference with the theme: “Demographic Change and Sustainable Development” attracted participants from the academia, non-governmental agencies, interest groups and government agencies.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Amoo, said there has been an argument in the past that there is a demographic dimension to almost every social and economic issue of importance. It is not clear whether the argument is still relevant or new ideologies would be necessary for the current population momentum and economic development.

Dr. Amoo stated that the conference is a formalized curiosity to shape the population and economic policy and practice that can move the African continent forward. According to him, “This conference is all about charting a course for every man and child to enjoy a life of good health, equal opportunity, and to ensure that poverty is reduced to the barest minimum.

“It is also to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth safe, every young person is free of diseases especially from the scourge of HIV/AIDS, that every active individual is gainfully employed to contribute to the nation’s GDP and ensure that our communities are habitable.”

He averred that sustainable demographic and economic solutions for both the present and future generations would only be reached through participants full and committed participation at all levels of the conference.

The Head, Department of Economics, Dr. Philip Alege on his part said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to create a platform that allows participants to deliberate on the all-important nexus between demography and economic developments.

Dr. Alege told the audience that the challenges of bringing the growing human populace and their growing needs into balance with natural resource base, which underpins the much-needed development that confronted the world as the 20th century ended still persist today, and the conference should become the foundation for proffering solutions to those challenges and turning them into advantages.

He added that Covenant University’s Department of Economics and Development Studies is determined to take bold steps in charting policy debates of all issues that pertain to helping African nations see how development and the ever-increasing population can be turned into channels of economic development and growth.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, represented by the Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, commended the Department for putting the conference together, as it tallies with the University’s vision of offering education at the regular degree programmes level and conferences, workshops, seminars and symposia in aiding a lifelong learning process.

He noted that the meaning and importance of demographic transitions cannot be overemphasized, and any nation that is interested in making the most of its growing population must also be interested in putting in place structures that would engender commensurate production to match the demands of the populace.

He stated that the educational sector should be seen as a revelation, where the high number of admission seekers for tertiary education cannot be accommodated by the available number of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and technical schools in the country, likewise the high number of unemployed youths of working age.

The Vice-Chancellor’s representative challenged participants to deliberate robustly and come up with a workable communiqué that would assist nations in the African continent to rise to the challenges of a population and demographic imbalance, so that it does not become a catastrophic development issue for the continent.

In his keynote address, the Director-General National Population Commission, Dr. Ghaji Isma’ila Bello, represented by the Director, Planning and Research in the Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Atta, said while population is a natural endowment, if not properly managed, it could constrain the effort of government to fulfill its commitment to improve the quality of life and the standards of living for the people.

Dr. Atta stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria, in her drive to adequately address the needs and well-being of its citizens, adopted a National Population Policy For Development, Unity, Progress and Self-Reliance back in 1988, which was revised in 2004 and renamed National Population Policy for Sustainable Development, with the objective of promoting maternal, child and reproductive health care, achieving a lower population growth rate through the reduction of birth rates by voluntary fertility regulation methods.

In addition, the policy also aimed at achieving even distribution of population between urban and rural settlements, preventing the causes and spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic, and addressing the problems of internal migration and spatial distribution of the population.

Dr. Atta stated that a cursory look at Nigeria’s population figures with the current growth rate of 3.2% creates apprehension over the consequences of rapid population increases, placing enormous responsibilities on governments, the civil society and individuals.

He, however, said there are a number of key drivers that could help change the economic landscape to alleviate poverty and facilitate sustainable development. According to him, “In facilitating the process of sustainable development, action must be channeled towards raising awareness and promoting the need for concerted efforts for poverty reduction.

“Developing a country-specific knowledge sharing resource between researchers, policy makers and development practitioners, working in partnership with those responsible for policy implementation and, building and strengthening capacity of all to recognize the need for ‘soft skills’ and build training in these skills into education and training courses.”

Dr. Atta called participant’s attention to some pressing issues as it pertains to population and development, and his expectation that the conference is expected to proffer solutions and a roadmap to achieve the much-desired socio-economic growth.

Some of these issues include poverty and inequality, gender issues, investment in young people and their roles in socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, urban growth, ageing and data generation.

Only fools doubt proofs!


Covenant University Hosts Treasury Risk Management Workshop
Representative of the Vice-Chancellor, and Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola giving the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks at the programme

As the global economy gradually recovers from the 2008/2009 global financial crisis and economic recession, the Department of Banking and Finance of Covenant University has hosted a two-day workshop targeted at helping bolster the capacities of corporate organizations to manage investment and portfolio risk.
In her welcome address, the Head, Department of Banking and Finance, Dr. Abiola Babajide, said the workshop was one that is long overdue considering the aftermath of the global economic recession and the impact on financial and mortgage institutions across the world.

Dr. Babajide while alluding to a position averred by the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that among the factors that led to the creation of an extremely fragile financial system in Nigeria is the macro-economic instability caused by large and sudden capital inflows, along with others that almost brought the entire Nigerian financial system to the brink of collapse.

She noted that in the 21st century, especially today’s global market, the treasury management function has become broader in scope, involving managing an increasingly broad range of risks apart from financial and operational, which confront any organization aspiring for global relevance in today’s complex and volatile environment.

Dr. Babajide stated that the level of importance organizations are placing on effective measurement and management of risk is an indication of the increase risk levels they have to contend with in the present business environment as it relates with the larger global business environment.

She posited that the workshop would help review best practices commonly used by today’s financial institutions and corporations to manage their risk, while it would also help participants to highlight how market risks are measured, reported and controlled in today’s business circles.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Ochei Ikpefan, in the opening session, said the aim of the workshop was to help treasurers redefine their roles and skills in risk management, while also building their capacities to help their clients steer off the path of bad risk while managing their portfolios.

Highlighting the various risks that organizations and individuals are open to in the contemporary business world, Dr. Ikpefan said he expects the workshop participants to draw lessons from the experiences of the different facilitators and build the necessary knowledge base to tackle the challenges of treasury risk management.

Declaring the conference open, the Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo, said the evolution of banking and the risk involved in holding in trust the resources of customers have made it expedient for practitioners to see treasury management as a serious business.

According to him, “It is not just enough to give out money, the money must return at a profit so that the bank or financial institution can continue in business.

He noted that there are a lot of things that can go wrong along the line of business, be it political, climatic, social or economical that would affect the organizations’ inability to recover what they have invested in certain areas of the economy and managing the treasury and risk attached to it becomes very critical and important.

He appreciated the quality of the resource persons on ground, who, according to him, are seasoned practitioners in the areas of treasury risk management who are expected to unveil and present practical realities of risk management in business.

Among the issues treated at the two-day workshop were foundational issues in treasury management, recent innovations and ICT influence in the business of treasury management, cashless banking and management in the economy: the challenges and prospects, practical challenges of managing treasury in rural and urban branches, risk in treasury management and practical sessions among others.

The Keynote Speaker and the 1st Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Olusegun Ajibola, at the 2-day workshop presented three incisive papers, which include ‘Managing Risk in the Current Dispensation with Fiscal and Monetary Policies,’ ‘Fundamental Issues in Bank’s Treasury Management,’ and ‘Cashless Banking and Management of Treasury in the Economy.”


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Covenant-University-Hosts-Treasury-Risk-Management-Workshop#.U-Z70fldUX0

CU Holds Specialised Conference on Leadership and Innovation
L-R, Director, ALDC, Professor Aize Obayan, Representative of Dr. Okojie, Mr Dele Omotosho, Chancellor, Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo as the Chancellor declares the conference open

Covenant University’s African Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) in collaboration with the university’s Centre for Learning Resources (CLR) hosted a 3 day conference on the theme, ‘Leadership And Innovation: Cutting Edge Practices for the 21st Century Librarian.’
The conference, which started on Tuesday, July 08, 2014, pooled participants from all works of life; across Nigeria and Africa.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, the Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, stated that there are two legs on which leadership stands; character and capacity building. The Chancellor posited that knowledge is the new currency of the world, and therefore, the quality of information available to a people determines the level of their growth and development. He further said that we need knowledge to be relevant and the library is the fountain of information.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo appreciated the efforts of the African Leadership Development Centre and the Centre for Learning Resources towards the organization of the conference. He stated that Libraries and Librarians have a major role to play in revamping the economy of any nation.

In his keynote address, the President, West African Library Associations (WALA), Dr. O. Daniel, stated that good leaders are trailblazers, making a path for others to follow, while great leaders inspire others to dream.

Dr. Daniel, who is also a former Librarian of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, further said, “Smart leaders know the areas that they lack knowledge; as leadership and learning are indispensable to each other, and learning is an important part of leadership.” The scholar also encouraged leaders to listen to their people as they are a leader’s greatest asset.

While making her opening remarks, the Director of the African Leadership Development Centre, Professor Aize Obayan, explained that the Conference has been carefully designed and planned to capture and address critical aspects of the place of information management and scholarship in the context of Libraries today.

Professor Obayan said, “The conference sets out to further situate the vital role libraries and librarians play in the educational and human resource development base of nations, particularly in Nigeria and the Nation States of Africa.”

Among the activities that made up the events of the first day of the conference, was the launch of a book titled, ‘Rich Country, Poor People,’ written by one of the special guests of honour, Professor Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Director, United Nations, HABITAT headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya.

The conference attracted quality paper presentations delivered by experts such as Mrs. Gloria Ita Ekpeme, CEO, Tomrald Consulting Ltd, Lagos, who spoke on ‘Leadership and Vision Building.’ Dr. James O. Daniel, President, West African Library Associations (WALA), who spoke on ‘Building and Sustaining High Performance Teams in Libraries,’ and Biodun Fijabi, International Faculty, Haggai Institute, who spoke on ‘Leadership, Innovation and Change Management.’

Other lead presenters at the conference include Dr. Rilwan Abdulsalam, President, Nigeria Library Association, who led the discussion on ‘Leadership Imperatives and the Challenge of the Digital Divide,’ also, Dr. Chris Nkiko, Director, Centre for Learning Resource who led the discussion on ‘Managing ICT Driven Libraries: Critical Leadership Issues,’ and Dr. Nicholas Omoregbe, HOD, Computer & Information Science & ICT Chair, Covenant University, who led the discussion on ‘Digital Imperatives in Creating and Sustaining Digital Institutional Repositories.’

The last day of the conference witnessed a number of presentations which included a presentation by Google, as well as a communique presented by a representative of the participants. Certificates of participation were also presented to each participant by the Directors of ALDC and CLR.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Holds-Specialised-Conference-on-Leadership-and-Innovation#.U-Z71vldUX0

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Nobel-Laureate-Joins-CU-Faculty#.U-Z72PldUX0


Nobel Laureate Joins CU Faculty
Professor Eric Maskin

A Nobel Laureate in Economics and Professor of Economic Sciences from the Harvard University, Professor Eric Maskin, has joined Covenant University’s faculty as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Economics, College of Development Studies.
The Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo, who announced the appointment, said the coming onboard of Professor Maskin is an impetus to the University’s quest to be one of the top ten universities in the world within the next ten years. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maskin who visited Covenant University in May 2014 as a distinguished guest presenter at the University’s 1st International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI), will offer a course as well as interact and advise the University and the Department of Economics on curriculum design.

Professor Maskin won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2007 for his work on the theory of mechanism design. He has made contributions to many other areas of economics as well, including game theory, the study of intellectual property rights, and political economy. He also received Eric Kempe Award 2007 and Harvard University Centennial Medal 2010.

His current research projects include comparing different electoral rules, examining the causes of inequality, and studying coalition formation.

Professor Maskin holds a PhD from Harvard University. He was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1977–1984. In 1985 he returned to Harvard as the Louis Berkman Professor of Economics, where he remained until 2000. That year, he moved to the Institute for Advanced Study as Albert O. Hirschman Professor in Princeton, New Jersey (2000–2011). In addition to his position at the Princeton Institute, Maskin was the director of the Jerusalem Summer School in Economic Theory at The Institute for Advanced Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2011, Maskin returned to Harvard University where he is currently the Adams University Professor.

Professor Maskin is a fellow of numerous institutes, including Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Research Fellow 1976–77; Guggenheim Fellowship 1980–81; Sloan Fellowship 1983–85; American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow; British Academy, Corresponding Fellow; Econometric Society Fellow (President 2003); European Economic Association Fellow; Game Theory Society President 2010–; Jesus and St. John’s Colleges, University of Cambridge Honorary Fellow; National Academy of Sciences Member; Royal Academy of Economics and Finance (Spain) Fellow, among many other academic honours to his credit.

Professor Maskin is married to Gayle Sawtelle, a history lecturer, and has two children.

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/We-Have-Great-Memories-of-Our-Undergraduate-Days-in-CU-Kenya-Alumnae#.U-Z78vldUX0


“We Have Great Memories of Our Undergraduate Days in CU,”...Kenya Alumnae
Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles K. Ayo(M) flanked by Miss Loice Kitsao (L) and Miss Majorie Okeyo , former CU students from Kenya

Two Kenyans, Sheila Loice Kitsao and Marjorie Okeyo were among the first sets of international students in Covenant University. Recently they visited their alma mater and had a sweet reminiscence of their undergraduate days at Nigeria’s number one private university and how they were able to successfully make the most of the opportunity availed them to study in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit to the University, Sheila and Marjorie, who graduated in 2009 and 2010 respectively, said they hold in their hearts fond memories of their undergraduate days in the University. According to Sheila, “Looking back at our early days in Covenant University, I think the ‘Chapel Services praise and worship sessions,’ the ‘Worship Him in the Evening’ service (WHITE) with Pastor Ntia helping us connect with the real essence of worship are some non-academic activities that makes studying in Covenant University one with a unique experience.”

Majorie on her part stated that the night meetings that were always organized was something she has continue to cherish, because those meetings have developed her capacity to make the most of the night seasons, even in her current work environment.

The Kenya nationals said their coming to Nigeria for study excited them and as such, they were able to find families within the University community who took them as their own family. “We were very excited about coming to study here, we found a family who took us as their own and as a result we felt we had our families here, despite the cultural differences.

Sheila stated that Covenant University is an institution in a class of its own. “The kind of programme we were exposed to was rigorous, demanding and challenging, but at the end the effect is paying off for us today.

Sheila, who graduated from the Department of Business Management, said one thing that stands the University out from others in the continent is the fact that the University is committed to its vision and gives students rounded education that opens their mind in a totally different way, thereby helping them tap into their innate capacities.

They noted that Covenant University’s academic curriculum is one that is operated holistically, that is training of students with a vision of what they ought to be in life from the spirituality platform to academic and physical enhancement through the Total Man Concepts. According to them, “We are glad we pass through Covenant University.”

Sheila, who currently works with the Kenyan Railway Corporation in the Business Development and Corporate Planning Department, said it is her heart desire that the world system would inculcate selflessness into work culture, as found in the University’s Core Value of sacrifice. “If only everyone can lead a sacrificial lifestyle, doing what they love for the love of others, the world would be a much better place,” she added.

Marjorie, who graduated from the Department of International Relations and currently works with Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), commended the University Management for establishing Covenant University International Students Association (CUISA). This, she said, would engender bonding and facilitate foreign students’ integration into the host community.

She reminisced on the level of international students’ representation in their day and what currently obtains today. According to her, “In our days there was just a trickle of international students, with Kenya being the dominant numbers. We also had a couple of students from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Malawi, Cameroon and one South African.”

The Kenya born Covenant University alumnae came on a short visit and felt it necessary to visit their alma mater, and visit some Nigerian friends in a bid to maintain contact with them.

venant University concluded a one-day conference on e-governance on Monday, June 9, 2014.
The conference featured two Keynote Speakers; the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo, who is an expert in e-governance as well as a Professor of Computer and Information Science and an Associate Professor, and former Dean, Faculty of Communication Technology, Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar, Dr. Etim Anim. The theme, “E-governance in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Civic Engagement and Participation.”

The event, which was organized by the university’s Department of Political Science and International Relations under the College of Development Studies, attracted participants from both public and private organizations.

In his welcome remarks during the conference, the Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, Dr. Sheriff Folarin stated, “As an institution with a long list of internationally acclaimed awards for being ICT savvy, and with a Vice-Chancellor who is a Professor of Computer and Information Science, it is not therefore a coincidence that Covenant University is taking the lead in promoting e-Governance.”

While delivering his lecture, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University who based his argument on the UN declaration made at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) of 2003; noted that e-Governance is the application of ICT to transform the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of exchange of information and transaction.

The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the use of ICT in governance brings morality, reduced-paper-work, transparency, responsibility, accountability, and simplicity through electronic documentation, online submission, online service delivery, etc. Furthermore, he described e-Government as the use of ICT to run the business of Government in a nation.

Professor Ayo described e-Democracy as an element that would encourage e-Engagement, as e-Engagement is considered as the aspect of e-Democracy that offers possibilities for enhanced consultation and dialogue between government and citizens.

Making his presentation at the conference, the second Keynote Speaker, Professor Etim Anim, stated that e-Governance is an enhancer of globalization, while globalization is a competition between one country’s democracy and another’s. He however said that there is a need for quality bureaucracy to channel, govern and enhance the creative energies of a country in other to maximize development.

While defining Governance, he said, “Governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs including citizen’s articulation of their interests and exercise of their legal rights and obligations.”

The conference was facilitated by Professor Patience Akpan-Ubong, from the School of Letters and Sciences, Arizona State University, USA; who is a visiting Professor to Covenant University.

Present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Administration), Professor Taiwo Abioye, Dean, College of Development Studies, Professor Isaiah Olurinola, Deputy Dean, School of Social Science, Dr. Daniel Gberevbie, and senior members of Faculty in the College of Development Studies.


http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/CU-Holds-Conference-on-E-Governance#.U-Z79_ldUX0

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/National-Identity-Management-Commission-NIMC-Visits-Covenant-University#.U-Z7_fldUX0


team of officials from the National Identity Management Commission, on Friday, June 6, 2014, paid a courtesy call, on the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University to thank the Management for granting the Commission the use of the University’s premises as one of the centres for the ongoing National Identity Card registration exercise.
While making his remarks at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo, expressed excitement at the prospects of having a viable ICT driven initiative on identity capturing in Nigeria that finally works.

The Vice Chancellor in his statement, applauded the initiative, and explained that the insecurity issues in the nation can considerably be reduced through identity capturing. He stated further that one of the benefits of identity capturing is the ability to have individual accountability of the population of a country through accurate data availability.

Furthermore, he said, “The beauty of democracy is cordial relationship and interaction from the grassroots, and if we have identity management as we have stated, then the data base would contain the identities of individuals within the states in the country thereby making it easy to keep track of the population. But if we don’t know how many people we have in Nigeria, and what their statistics are, how do we make adequate socio-economic plans?”

Professor Ayo assured the NIMC officials of all necessary support from the Management to make the identity capturing exercise in Covenant University a huge success.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Registrar of Covenant University, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, appreciated the efforts of the NIMC officials since the registration exercise began and assured them that their presence on CU grounds is for the mutual benefit of both institutions.

Also speaking during the visit, the team leader of the NIMC officials, Mr. Mark Lukeman, thanked the Management for partnering with the NIMC, and for the level of support they have received so far from Covenant University. He stated that their mission and goal towards the exercise is not about identity card, but rather, about identity management, and that the pattern of enrolment, is clearly different from the previous exercise.

He noted that the identity card issued to the Nigerian citizens on this platform, has more security features than that of the United States of America’s Social Security System. According to him, the American Social Security card has 12 security features, while the Nigerian Identity card has 19 security features.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aaron Atayero, Registrar, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, and Director, Financial Services, Pastor Deji Okubanjo.

dayosaurus: please why would i wanna hate on a glorified secondary school? Meant for elites to dump their down syndrome ravaged kids.... Please go play with ur dolls

Please shut up. Glorified school and their ALumni is leading every where. Envious persons.

MTN Project Fame Winner Season 5. Ayoola

A CU Graduate!

For the second time running, First Class graduates of Covenant University, Ota, have emerged tops in the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development with 19 out of 200 candidates.


This was revealed by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, and contained in the commission’s memo obtained by our correspondent on Friday.


Okojie was quoted as saying that the outcome of the aptitude test for First Class graduates of Nigerian universities for sponsorship to 25 top universities in the world under the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development, which was in its second phase, showed that Covenant University emerged as overall best with 19 out of the 200 students, set to benefit from the scheme in the current year.

He further noted that this feat, which Covenant University also achieved in the maiden edition of the scheme, meant that the university was producing quality graduates in the Nigerian university system. He commended the university for its extensive use of ICT in teaching and learning process.

It will be recalled that Covenant University’s First Class graduates came tops at the maiden edition of the scheme, producing 10 out of the 101 candidates that were selected in the final aptitude test for PRESSID.

In his response to the news, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, said the feat was a validation of the university’s efforts in producing qualitative graduates for the global community. He reiterated the university’s confidence in the quality of its First Class degree graduates, expressing confidence in their capabilities.

He appreciated God for “always confirming His vision with infallible proofs” and expressed optimism that the university would in no distant future be ranked among the top 10 universities in the world, “in fulfillment of the prophesy that had gone before it.”


Read more: http://campusportal.com.ng/cu/covenant-university-graduates-tops-presidential-scholarship-scheme/16550/#ixzz39vSHIeG4

dayosaurus: with all this holier than thou attitude, indecency amongst the students is high... Abi no be dis school gal strip infront of camera dey dance? ... And oyedepo only knows how to slap people instead of visiting liberia and healing people... If truly he is a man of god

Please keep Quiet!... Haters!

The first local hire of Mckinsey & Co Company (The No 1 Management Company in the World) in Nigeria. Was a CU graduate. After that UNILAG. They hired about 3 CU graduates.

That company only hires from the Top universities in the USA and UK..

Check here.

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/mayowa

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/kemi

The first local hire of Mckinsey & Co Company (The No 1 Management Company in the World) in Nigeria. Was a CU graduate. After that UNILAG. They hired about 3 CU graduates.

That school only hires from the Top universities in the USA and UK..

Check here.

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/mayowa

http://www.mckinsey.com/global_locations/africa/nigeria/en/careers_in_nigeria/profiles/kemi

See their graduate, pioneering the first computer club in Osogbo Grammar School (Junior School) during her service year. The school only had one computer. She made her dad send a whole desktop set from Lagos and she gave it to them when she left.

Haters stop the hate. CU currently have two Nobel Laureates in their Economics Department. Teaching Full Time. No University has that in Nigeria.

This one too.


https://youngafricanleaders.state.gov/2014/07/07/meet-the-fellows-catherine-oluwakemi-onabanjo/

Catherine Oluwakemi Onabanjo is currently a consultant for McKinsey & Company’s Lagos office, where she serves public sector, social sector and corporate clients across West Africa on their growth, strategy and transformation programs.

In addition to her client work, she is a member of the board of trustees for Helping Other People Excel (HOPE), an NGO whose theory of change is that developing leadership skills in Nigeria’s teenagers today will cultivate change agents who will drive social change in the country.

Kemi holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Covenant University and continues to closely engage with the university as welfare secretary and community outreach coordinator of the Covenant University Alumni Association.

Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Kemi plans to focus on capability building and development of her public sector clients, as she believes that the enhanced capability of public sector employees is a critical enabler to unleash Nigeria’s great potentials

Haters! All these graduates passed through the same no phone system.

Are these young entrepreneurs stars in the making – rich in talent and ripe with innovation? After meeting them, Richard Branson thinks so.

Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama were chosen as the Challenge winners from a pool of more than 1000 entrants. Eseoghene (Ese for short) runs Hesey Designs – an online store selling African-inspired accessories – through which she empowers and mentors young African women. Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama won over the judges with his business plan for a mobile phone app called Verdant, which aims to help crop farmers.

Both winners were awarded a £5000 grant and a scholarship to the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa. To top it off, they also received a mentoring session with Richard Branson, where they were able to ask questions about his life and business experiences.
The Virgin Founder was impressed with results of the competition and by the winners: “Innovation has been an important part of Virgin's heritage and I was pleased to see so many young Nigerians keen to embrace new ideas through the competition. Many congratulations to Ese and Nasir who had fantastic business plans and I’m sure will have very bright futures.”


Ese designed a pair of sneakers – made out of local Nigerian fabric called ‘Ankara’ – especially for Richard Branson, which he wore, complementing a bespoke Vivienne Westwood suit, to the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s new uniform. Standing on stage at the party, he introduced Ese to the fashion-forward crowd and heralded her as a possible Vivienne Westwood of the future.



http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/richard-branson-walks-in-enterprise-challenge-winners-shoes

http://google-africa..com/2014/04/meet-africa-connected-winners.html

See their Graduates.

https://www.nairaland.com/1820518/covenant-university-graduate-wins-2#24819201

Are you just hearing? Why the hate.

Upon the banning of phones, the school currently ranks No 2 top University in Nigeria and No 1 Private University in Nigeria. You can check the current Webometrics ranking

http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Covenant-University-Scales-New-Heights-in-Webometrics-Ranking-Among-Peers-in-Nigeria#.U-ZzSfldUX0

http://www.webometrics.info/en/Africa/Nigeria

http://repositories.webometrics.info/en/Africa

Kinkybraids: Very interesting and relevant topic. It reminds me of what my older brother said to me once.

He said love is like waiting in a long line at the bank . You are facing the one you love and would do anything for but they are facing someone else. Behind you is the one that trully loves you...they would do nothing but to have you look back at them.

So you stand in the line hoping that the one that you love turns around and gives you a chance but they dont. So you come up with a plan to get their attention by tapping them on the shoulder (a metarphor for using money, sex, desperation to secure love ect). And they turn around but only give you their attention for a little while...afterwards they turn around again, and you are left facing them, with their backs turned on you.

All this while the person that trully loves you is still facing you hoping you would turn and face them. So after sometime of waiting impatiently in the line...you finally turn and face them. You may not have wanted to but this is the second best option. You have a conversation with them to pass the time but still thinking of the one you trully love.

Sadly that is how it goes in the line of love. Iv been there too...sometimes you just have to look back because it just hurts to stick around where you arent wanted.

....yeah.

This one too!

https://www.facebook.com/usembassynigeria/photos/a.10150195489589874.343590.29206219873/10152547281899874/?type=1&fref=nf


Lawrence focuses on jobs and wealth creation for the unemployed and marginalized youth in Ondo State. He is a participant in the 2014 Washington Fellowhship.

For the last five years, Lawrence Alaba Afere has worked in the Youth and Enterprise Development sector, with a focus on jobs and wealth creation for the unemployed and marginalized youth in Ondo State, Nigeria. Currently, Lawrence is the director and founder of Springboard Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Akure, where he develops programs in entrepreneurship, jobs & wealth creation and agricultural development for unemployed youth. He also coordinates the production and marketing of plantain chips produced at the Springboard Farms.

In recognition of his innovative approach toward solving the youth unemployment problem in Ondo State, Lawrence was nominated in 2009 for a national youth award by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development - in conjunction with Youngstars Foundation, Nigeria.

Lawrence holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Covenant University and has trained online as a Social Entrepreneur at the International Institute for Global Leadership and Kanthari International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Lawrence plans to extend his entrepreneurship and agricultural programs to further combat youth unemployment across the 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State.