2 August 2007
editorial
Lagos — At a press conference marking the graduation ceremony of the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, recently, Bishop David Oyedepo, its Chancellor, defended the HIV and pregnancy tests which the University conducts every year for its graduating students. The Chancellor explained that the tests were part of the admission requirements and tradition of the university aimed at inculcating good morals, discipline and leadership qualities in the graduating students. He said that nobody should be scandalized by the long-standing tradition because it had helped Covenant University to carve a niche for itself among other universities in Nigeria.
As a private Mission University committed to the promotion of high scholarship and character formation in university education, Covenant University has a right to adopt any requirements or tradition which it considers appropriate to the attainment of its lofty mission, provided that such requirements or tradition are consistent with public morality and do not infringe on fundamental rights of the individual. Any students or parents who freely subscribed to such requirements or tradition are clearly bound by them and cannot justifiably complain.
Consequently, primary prevention through sexual discipl Considering the wave of sensuality, eroticism, cultism and sexual perversity sweeping across our various university campuses today, the efforts of the Chancellor of Covenant University in trying to instill moral discipline in his students is indeed praiseworthy. HIV is a profound human tragedy and the most devastating pandemic in human history. It is a threat to our economy and the very fabric of our society. Young people and students in the age bracket of 15-25 are most vulnerable to contracting AIDS. In an HIV screening exercise conducted by a private university next door to Lagos among their fresh intakes, 30% of them tested positive. Immoral sexual activities account for 70% of HIV/AIDS spread among youth and students in Nigeria. Unfortunately, free distribution of condoms to university students has not helped to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS spread, but instead lures them into sexual promiscuity and thereby exposing them to them risk of contracting AIDS. Unfortunately AIDS has no cure. The Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment, which only helps to prolong the life of the patient, is expensive and potentially toxic.
Consequently, primary prevention through sexual discipline which the Covenant University promotes is the only effective means of stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS among the Nigerian youth. Obviously the tradition of Covenant University stands as a big moral check on the sexual escapades of many of its students. If the students know that the university will subject them to pregnancy and HIV tests sooner or later, they will refrain from indulging in immoral sexual activities.
However, in carrying out the HIV screening Covenant University must respect the fundamental rights of the students. It must, in addition, comply with the World HIV screening policies. The screening must be voluntary and confidential. The students must be counseled before and after the screening and the result of the screening must be made known only to the student.
The future of our country lies in the future of our youth and university students. Therefore we cannot allow immoral sexual activities to destroy that future. Since AIDS latches on sexual promiscuity to spread among students, if we cure the students of sexual immorality, we cure them of AIDS.
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