But Lots of Questions are begging for Answers::
Are Church-Owned Universities meant for the rich and famous ONLY?
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The Chancellor of Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State and the Bishop of Living Faith Worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, has said that the foundation for the third of the planned seven universities of the church will be laid in January, next year.
Bishop Oyedepo spoke yesterday during a media briefing to mark the 10th anniversary of Covenant University. He said his intervention in education sector was to prove that sanity could still return to the much troubled sector in the country. He said the plan to establish four universities in Nigeria and three others to be spread in West, Central and East African nations was part of the church’s resolve to reclaim the lost glories in the continent. The cleric said the third UNIVERSITY, which will be named Crown University, would be sited in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. The university will primarily focus on Maritime studies.
Bishop Oyedepo blamed the rot in the nation’s education system on what he described as ill-advised decision of the government to take over schools from the missionaries. He said the foundation of education in the country cannot be discussed without the influence of the missionaries, who he said established the first school in Badagry in 1843.
ANOTHER REPORT....
However, it is a well known fact that Fees of Church-owned universities in Nigeria per semester: Bowen University – N650,000, Covenant University – N640,000, Benson Idahosa – N500, 000, Babcock University – N450, 000, Redeemers University – N375, 000, Ajayi Crowther University – N350, 000, Fountain University, Oshogbo – N320,000.
A man named Samuel Alayande had worked more than half of his life for his church. Not because he had the calling, but he chose to be dedicated in any church activity.
He and his wife whom she married in the church were never found wanting in any church activity. Just as they made donations to keep the church activity afloat, they gave their energies for any labour required in the church.
They considered whatever service as necessary not only for spiritual gain but also for the expansion of the church. The church then decided to own a university, members contributed hugely with every remaining kobo in their pockets. Alayande, like other poor members gave N9 out of every N10 he had.
Apart from giving his meager earnings in offerings, tithes and donations to the church in order to bring the project to fruition, he and members of his family worked tirelessly for the project. They cleared the bushes, they toil the ground during the foundation process, carried blocks, carried bags of cements just to ensure the project came to lime light.
Few years after, Alayande’s sons and daughters who grew in the church could not study in the church-owned university because their parents could not afford the huge fees charged by the institution they helped to build. Alayande’s case typifies one of the several cases of how the poor is massively working for the rich.
It is no news that several church-owned universities were built on the donations, offerings and tithes from the poor members of the church. Even when they had no more money to put into the construction, they gave their sweat and toil; doing all kinds of manual labour to actualise the completion of what they often refer to as their own universities.
Yet, these people, after the completion of the project, can’t afford the fees, they can’t have their children trained in the universities they helped to build.
Ironically, the manipulation of the poor continues even as their regular offerings and tithes are used to service the day to day running of these institutions that have become the exclusive preserve of the rich.
In spite of the phenomenal rise in the number of private universities in the country, not less than N1million is paid yearly by parents who have their children in these private universities. How many of the poor members of religious bodies can afford this huge amount to have their children trained in these institutions for at least four years?
Bolaji, a young brilliant chap with excellent JAMB and Post-UME results which qualified him to study medicine had his hope of studying in the university owned by his church dashed merely because his parents who are members of the church could not afford the fees.
Another young man also lamented why he had to leave a particular church as a result of what he described as injustice – taking from the poor to give to the rich.
Just as others grumble in silence on the trend of funding a church-owned university but can’t benefit from it, others believe that tithes and offerings are commandments from God and should be obeyed.
They believe the reward is in heaven as they continued to donate generously from their meager resources whether they can afford to send their children to the school or not.
Among the prominent Christian Mission universities whose fees are between N400- N500,000 per semester are Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State; Covenant University, Canaan Land, Ota; Redeemers University, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State; Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State; Veritas University, Novena University, Ogume, Delta State; Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Fountain University, Oshogbo, to name a few.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why doesn't he ( Bishop David Oyedepo) use the money and other resources for the seven 'universities' to create a world-class university? It would be better than having seven manageable universities.
2. Should he stop establishing more universities and face one with standard campuses!
2. Are Church-Owned Universities meant for the rich and famous?
3. Do you think their school fees should be subsidized for the poor people to attend?
4. If Church Universities are free and cheap, don't you think it will attract fake members?
Let's have your VIEWS.
Thanks.
Source: Endy Edeson ONLINE News Network
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