Emmanuel Edukugho
4 December 2008
Ota — Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has admitted 1,816 students in its 7th matriculation since its establishment in 2002.
The ceremony took place inside the university chapel last Friday, attended by parents, guardians, principal officers, faculty and staff, representatives of other universities.
Registrar of the institution, Dr. Daniel Rotimi said Covenant University has been identified by God as his own university.
"We are here to witness the unique beginning of the seventh set. Every king, before coronation, goes through training process. This is what is happening today. Kings and queens of Hebron. This is not an ordinary matriculation. It's a two- edged ceremony, because there is also 24th public lecture series in a unique dimension."
He urged the new students to make a mark which the world is waiting for, reminding them that, "this is the citadel where great minds are made, raising unique leaders (kings and queens)."
Professor Omoleye, an accomplished chemical engineer, delivered a lecture concerning how to adapt traditional methods of designing reactors to electronic age.
The work was started 20 years ago when he looked at a general form of reversible reactors.
"We are no longer looking at charts, but have come out with new equations. Genuine, reliable and authentic equations designed by God's grace. No more trial by error, but using exact equations."
Omoleye said his work has resulted in new reactor design charts for universities. For a long time, text- books on this area of engineering were produced and brought here from advanced countries.
"Now, our design has been tested and has become the contribution of Africa to chemical engineering in the world."
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan, described Omoleye as an erudite scholar whose lecture has stimulated national growth and development through science and technology.
"The lecture serves to validate the objectives of Covenant University. Combining public lecture and matriculation, holistic, meeting of town and gown." She said Omoleye aptly demonstrates the nation's strength to adapt technology, adding that the application of theory of reactor engineering has advanced areas of technology.
"He sends a clear message that Covenant University raises new generation of leaders in all knowledge."
Obayan again recalled the origin of matriculation which started 800 years ago in Bologna University as induction. She explained that CU is built on the highest ideals of what university stands for, redefining the university of tomorrow. The 21st century makes it imperative, not only to construct the idea of university, but the relevance to its immediate environment.
Bishop David Abioye, Vice Chairman, Board of Regents, representing the Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo who was unavoidably absent, presided over the matriculation ceremony.
He said CU is not just a university, but a continuation of the liberation mandate, an investment in a venture for posterity, due to God and building hope in the citizenry.
"Our investment is yielding good dividends as seen in the faculty. We recruit the very best and pay competitive wage."
Abioye revealed that N500 million has been spent on teaching, research materials and books while an additional N2 billion expended for science and technology equipment to ensure efficiency. "If we get it right with staff and faculty, it will reach the students."
He expressed appreciation for contributions of brilliant academics like Professor Omoleye, promoting a culture of excellence.
"The new students are standard bearers to bring real change to our continent and our world."
A breakdown of the 2008/2009 matriculation list showed Architecture 54, Biochemistry 44, Biology 13, Microbiology 54, Building Technology 32, Chemical Engineering 59, Industrial Chemistry 39, Computer Science 88, Management Information System 84, Civil Engineering 66, Computer Engineering 72, Electrical and Electronics Engineering 103, Information and Communication Technology 71, Estate Management 51, Industrial Maths 31, Mechanical Engineering 64, Petroleum Engineering 61 and Industrial Physics 60.
Others are English Language 32, French 6, Psychology 43, Mass Communication 69, Sociology 43.
Accounting 107, Banking and Finance 79, Business Administration 64, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management 31, Marketing 32, Demography and Social Statistics 29, Economics 113, International Relations 62, Policy and Strategic Studies 22 and Political Science 38.
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