We won’t tolerate anti-social behaviours, Anchor University warns freshmen

…As Kumuyi becomes chancellor

The Anchor University, Lagos (AUL) officially inducted its first set of students recently at its maiden matriculation ceremony, warning the one hundred and three (103) freshmen to be wary of anti-social behaviours rampant in many institutions of higher learning in the country.

Handing down the warning at a capacity filled hall at the university campus in Ayobo, Ipaja in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Professor Joseph Afolayan, the vice chancellor, said the matriculation signaled a formal contract between the students and the school, urging them to respect the sanctity of the contract in their own interest.

According to the Vice Chancellor, “You will recall that during the orientation exercise that took place on the 20^th of February, 2017, I made it clear to you that this university is a faith-based university and as such will not compromise standard in any form, academically, spiritually and morally. There are behaviours and decent lifestyle expected of you by the university which you must endeavour to keep. This university will not condone evil vices that are common with the youths today. May I vehemently inform you in strong terms that some of these vices such as taking of hard drugs, drinking of alcohol, smoking, immorality of all shades, indecent dressing, stealing and the likes, are reprehensible and highly prohibited in this school and any infraction attracts expulsion.”

Professor Afolayan informed the gathering that “In Anchor University, we are committed to building a university of a global standard and relevance and this must reflect in every aspect of our life as an institution.”

According to him, “Anchor University students must be found proper in character and learning before degree is awarded.”

In his capacity as the Chancellor, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, general superintendent of the Deeper Christian Ministry (DCLM), stressed the essence of university education in Nigeria, saying that societies develop by the quality of their universities.

Kumuyi noted that the deregulation and licensing of private universities in the country was a step in the right direction.

“Our nation needs not just functional, but also productive and development-driven universities. Together with the government-owned universities, we ought to lead the way in showing the path for the nation to go, in endlessly throwing up ideas on how to solve old and new problems, whether in the area of science and technology, or in the arts, humanities and social sciences,” he said.

On the reason for the establishment of Anchor University, the Chancellor said: “AUL is established not only to focus on academic learning and excellence, but to harp on character development and mitigate the tide of moral degradation and delinquency that pervades our national life.”

According to him, “The philosophy of Anchor University is the one that realises that the light of knowledge illuminates the mind, liberates the man and upgrades human qualities, faculties and professional skills that result in discernable impact on all areas of human endeavour. It believes in the power of education to create social and economic mobility and in the morality of social value making higher education accessible to everyone.”

Kumuyi, who traced the origin of university education in Nigeria, noted that private individuals and faith-based involvement in that regard was necessitated by the fact that government alone cannot provide the much needed university education.  

Expressing his appreciation to the past and serving officials of the National University Commission (NUC), “whose fair-mindedness, fidelity in duty and fervent professionalism were boldly on display throughout the process leading to the approval of Anchor University,” the chancellor said: “Our country and every institution need such sterling men and women that remain committed to their mission.”

He also appreciated the “effort and hard work of many, both within and outside the academic community, who were steadfast and committed to the goal of bringing Anchor into existence.”

Addressing the matriculating students, the Pro-Chancellor, Silas Dada, said: “Your admission to Anchor is to give you inspiration to become leaders of tomorrow by becoming the best you can be. It is to turn you out as finished products and leaders; the likes of Physicist Albert Einstein, theologian Rowan Williams and Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos.”  

With God on our side, we are set to break the limits – Oluwi

In his speech, the BoT chairman said the university was aimed to develop its students holistically and transform lives for divine use and corporate impacts.

According to him, “Anchor University is never intended to be mere addition to the list of the universities across the country. The mandate of Anchor University is to make the much-needed difference and bridge the gap between Academic Excellence and Character Transformation. Drawing from the broad perspective of the Chancellor’s worldview, we are determined to foist an academic culture of distinction which will be second to none by the grace of God. Ours is a rare and strong resolve to combine academic excellence with strong moral and spiritual re-armaments to define the complete man.”

Oluwi further noted that “The world needs experts, political figures, corporate and industry leaders who are driven by conscience and zeal to serve. Professionals whose driving focus is beyond their pockets, men who are men indeed, chosen of God and equipped with an unflinching strength of character and the will to go out and stand for the truth. And these we are set to give the world.”

On the facilities to raise the future stars at Anchor, the BoT Chairman said: “Already, there are massive infrastructure on the campus that make it completely out of the league of a newly established university. From the serene environment, modern and IT-driven lecture theatres, world-class laboratories and well-stocked library, Anchor has been fully equipped to be the hub of academic research and intellectual works. We are determined to ensure continued growth and improvement of these facilities. Our priority lies in the advancement of applied knowledge and profitable research efforts that will advance both individuals and the world as a whole.”

The BoT chairman further said: “We are determined to raise men who are bound to be the cynosure of eyes in the days and years ahead. Our overall goal is to turn out graduates who are spiritually elevated, morally sound, intellectually grounded, exemplary, creative and innovative who will go into the corporate world with the fear of God and have the courage to make the required difference in our world. Our academic and non-academic staff, I have been assured, are poised to make this admittedly pious and elevated dream a concrete reality.

“For our parents, these are our promise. In four years, we will return your teenagers as young men and women who are ready to take on the rest of the world. We will return them as fully breed ladies and gentlemen who are ready to lead their different fields of endeavours with character, competence and courage. More importantly, we will return them as men and women of conviction who will dare the Nebuchadnezzars of this world and say, we will not serve your God.

“To our matriculating students, here is a chance for you to take your destinies in your own hands and thrust all your cares in God’s hands as He leads you through this defining four years experience. I enjoin you to shun dysfunctional and depraved values which have plagued many university communities in the land and circumvented the vision and dreams of past progenitors of older universities. You are headed for greatness if you let God carefully mould your lives through your times with us on this campus.”

According to him, the vision to establish Anchor “is at once the deliberate and well-defined initiative of the Chancellor, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi to accentuate the tenor and focus of university education in Nigeria, drawing from his rich arsenal as a former university Don himself.”

“Anchor University is a product of our Chancellor’s rigorous travail with God for direction and his burning desires to rescue the youths and indeed the future of the world from the grips of decadence and ruin, restore sanity, discipline and piety to the academic and corporate society and snatch them from the precincts of collapse. It is a tall dream; it is a huge call, but with God, we are more than able,” he added.

 

Kumuyi becomes a chancellor

The setting was ceremonial and the atmosphere electric as the principal officers of the newly opened Anchor University filed into the hall, signaling the commencement of the maiden matriculation ceremonies of the budding institution.

Already seated on a leather chair placed on a neatly podium decorated with red rugs, was Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, the general superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, who was to be decorated as the chancellor.

Then it began to happen. Abimbola Olulesi, a former journalist and public relations practitioner, who now sits in the saddle as the acting registrar, picked the unidirectional microphone as the compere of the day. Without dawdling, he invited the Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Afolayan to say the opening prayer. Thereafter, the two stanzas of the National Anthem were taken. Olulesi again picked the mic and cited the portion of the Law of the land that supports the installation of a chancellor and consequently invited the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Pastor Philip Oluwi, to install Kumuyi as the chancellor of Anchor University. This was done and the University Law was also presented to him. The Chancellor was subsequently robed in his office by the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar. Thereafter, the Vice Chancellor made a pledge, affirming the loyalty and support of the university to the Chancellor.

Kumuyi, the chancellor, was now invited by the Vice Chancellor to declare open the matriculation ceremony. In performing this function, the Chancellor, who was now dressed in a flowing yellow gown and other accompaniment, over a black suit, said: “Upon the power conferred on me by the University statue as the chancellor of Anchor University, Lagos, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I hereby declare this matriculation ceremony open.”

After a series of speeches by the Vice Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, BoT, Kumuyi was again invited to now accept the matriculating students as presented by the Vice Chancellor.

And he said: “Based on the full understanding of the matriculation affirmation you have just subscribed to in totality, by appending your signature, upon the power conferred on me as the Chancellor, I hereby admit you as students of Anchor University”.

 

Brief on Anchor University

 

The university officially commenced operations on February 1, 2017, barely two months after it was licensed to operate as a university by the Federal Government alongside seven other universities.

The university commenced academic activities on February 27, 2017 with three Faculties and fifteen (15) courses. The Faculties are: Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences and Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences. Within this period, the university has admitted one hundred and three (103) students into the various programmes it offers.

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‘My ambition is to become a chartered accountant’

Joshua Praise Olutunbi, was the cynosure of all eyes as he perched on his seat during the recent maiden matriculation ceremonies of the Anchor University, Lagos. Guest argued openly about the possible age of the lad. Some concluded that he was below the 16 years age limit for the admission into any Nigerian university. But BDSUNDAY dug deeper. Below are the findings.

 

May we know your name?

My name is Olutunbi Praise Joshua

How old are you?

I am 17 years old

What course are you studying?

Accounting

Which secondary school did you pass through?

Royal Christian College

Why did you choose Anchor and not any other university?

I believe they will help me to grow, not only in academics, but spiritually too. It is also very close to where I live in Lagos. It will not be very stressful on me.

What is your aspiration in life after you must have graduated from Anchor?

I want to become a chartered accountant and also do the work of God.

You know, when some guests sighted you in the hall, they were wondering if you were up 16 years; assuming people approach you with such a question what would be your response?

I would tell them I am of age. That’s the only thing I would tell them.

Assuming you were elected the president of Nigeria today, what are the things you would want to change immediately in the system?

I would like to change a lot of things, but mainly the aspect of how they treat Christians in Nigeria

How do you mean? Tell us, how do they treat Christians in the country?

Laughter. Ah, everybody knows about it. Also I want to change the academic system of the country.

But what is wrong with the system in practice?

You know there are many defects in the educational system of the country that I may not begin to mention one by one now.

Apart from Anchor being a faith-based university and being close to where you live, which according to you shaped your choice for it, are there other considerations you made that really helped your decision?

Yes, let me just mention one area- the issue of cultism. This is rampant in many tertiary institutions of learning. It is not in Anchor.

How are we sure that your decision was not influenced by your father who is a member of the church that owns the university?

No, no, no. After all, I was not pushed in any way.

It means you are very good in Mathematics for you to do Accounting. Tell us about your love for math?

I am trying. God is helping me.

What is your advice to students against social vices?

I want to use this medium to advise those who are into such vices to desist from them. Of course, you know they need Christ. They should become born again. And once they decide for God, they should leave the rest in the hands of God and He will take care of them.

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My son is in Anchor for all round development – Iheanacho

Mr. Innocent Iheanacho, a parent who was at the matriculation in company of his wife, to celebrate with their son, Favour Chiazalam, a student of History and Diplomatic Studies, said he was confident that the lad would get all round education at Anchor University.

Speaking with BDSUNDAY on the sidelines of the event, Iheanacho, who said he was a pastor with the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, owners of the institution, emphasized that he sent his son to Anchor, not only to acquire academic knowledge, but also for his spiritual and moral well being.

“Just as we have been told by the Vice Chancellor, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor, Pastor (Dr.) W.F. Kumuyi, in their separate speeches on the philosophy of the institution, Anchor is a citadel of learning that combines so many things, not only for academic excellence, but also social excellence and spiritual excellence. These rare qualities combined obviously will put the child in the best academic setting, social setting and above all, in favour of God Himself,” Iheanacho said.

He further expressed the optimism that his son is in the best environment where he would excel without any hindrance, since, as he noted, “a child well-favoured of God will be great.”

“Having considered all these we feel it as a privilege to send the young man here,” he