…Sinks borehole for Faculty of Arts
Bisi Adewumi
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province (LP) 68 has on Friday donated books worth millions of Naira to the Department of Religious Studies in the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos.
The donation was made in commemoration of the 81st birthday anniversary of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
A lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka took the opening prayers, while a Pastor in Charge of Zone (PICZ), Pastor (Mrs) Adekunle led in a sort praises.
The Acting Head of Department (AG. HOD), Religious Studies, Dr Babawale Taiwo while welcoming the RCCG team revealed that the province earlier, in 2022 dug and commissioned a borehole for Faculty of Arts, in commemoration of the 80th birthday of the revered man of God, Daddy G.O (as Pastor Adeboye is fondly called). According to him, the the occasion came up during the ASUU strike, when the students were not around. Incidentally, the book donation again fell on a time the students and staff were given holiday for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Dr.Taiwo appreciated the church committee for the laudable gesture, promising “to oil the relationship.” He said they wouldn’t take it for granted.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Olufunke Adeboye who herself is a member of the Redeemed Church of God, in her remarks appreciated the university team, as well as welcoming the visitors, the Church team. She apologized for the “quiet hall,” attributing it to election holiday.
Prof Adeboye appreciated RCCG LP 68 for deeming it fit to dig borehole for the Faculty when it lacked water. She said, “there and then, like Oliver Twist, we requested for more, which gave birth to the books donated today. We are so happy.” She appreciated the CSR Department for their activities across the society. She assured their benefactors of putting the books to the best use for the purpose for which they are donated.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Research, Prof Bolanle Oboh who represented the Vice Chancellor explained that the VC would have loved to attend the programme if not for another engagement she had elsewhere.
“In any case, she sends her greetings,” delivering the VC’s message.
The DVC appreciated the baby department of the Faculty, Islamic Studies for the work they are doing.
She thanked the church for the donation of the books. She went on to appreciate Daddy G.O “for the legacy he left in Unilag as a senior lecturer in the Department of Mathematics.”
“We are grateful. You dug borehole for Faculty of Arts last year and now you are focusing on Religious Studies. Daddy Adeboye on his part gave a donation of N10 million to the university. We are grateful for all,” she said.
“As it was said earlier, Unilag is always Oliver Twist, we will always want more and we will always expect you back,” she encouraged.
The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province, Administration, (APICP, Admin), Pastor Olusegun Adetunji in his remarks said, “He who brings water gives life. Prof. Salako in his closing remarks last year made the humble request for books. That’s why we are here,” he noted. He prayed that the books would be beneficial to those they are meant for.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of the books as anchored by the province’s former APICP, CSR, (who is now an Assistant National Secretary), Pastor Toba Titus. He raised a happy birthday song for the G.O and urged Prof. Adeboye to pray for the celebrant, which she obliged, beseeching God to grant the man of God long life.
Pastor Titus then presented the books to Prof. Adeboye, who in turn handed them over to the Department of Religious Studies.
Pastor Adetunji at this junction delivered the letter backing up the donation to the HOD of Religious Studies, who received and acknowledged it.
Dr. Bashir while giving the closing remarks was full of appreciation to the church for heeding their yawnings. He prayed to God to grant Daddy Adeboye longevity.
Another Pastor in Charge of Zone (PICZ), Pastor Owoeye took the closing prayers as the event came to a close.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Prof. Oboh said, “the University is highly appreciative of the RCCG.
“They are the one of the major people we have,” saying that Daddy G.O has been a faithful partner over the years.
“Last year we had a borehole from the church, and today the church has donated books to our baby department of about five years old, and we can see the volume of books brought for the students in the department.
“We are delighted and we thank God. We thank God for Daddy G.O. We pray that God will continue to strengthen him, grant him long life and good health.”
Pastor Titus at the site of the borehole while answering questions from journalists promised on behalf of the church to always arise for the needs of humanity as God is granting the chuch grace.
Also in attendance were : The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province, CSR , Pastor Ige Olubunmi, Bro Tunde, Prof A. M Ilupeju, (HOD European Languages), Chigozie Bright Nnabuihe (Ag. HOD, LAAS) and other lecturers from the Department of History and Strategic Studies.