ACU Won’t Compromise Standard, Prof. Oduwole Re-emphasises at CGTS Matriculation
Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, has reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining high academic standards across its own programmes and in all affiliated institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole made the declaration during her remarks at the matriculation ceremony for newly admitted postgraduate students of the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary (CGTS) in Abeokuta.
Prof. Oduwole in her address assured the matriculants and distinguished guests of the university’s full support to CGTS, noting that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exists between ACU and CGTS for the training of students pursuing Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Master of Arts (M.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies.
Addressing the new students directly, she charged them saying: “Dear matriculants, you’re raised by the church for the end time. You need to prepare yourself for ‘the arguments for and arguments against’, because gone are the days when your congregations were not learned.”
The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Anglican Primate, The Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, for his leadership and appealed to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to provide financial support to help CGTS grow further.
Delivering his congratulatory address, the Primate, who also serves as Chancellor and Visitor, represented by the Bishop of Egba Diocese, Rt. Revd. Dr. Emmanuel Adekunle, charged the matriculants to be found worthy in learning and character at the end of their study.
“You will be trained in academics, moral and discipline. Serve the church and Nigeria and do not see this as a personal investment,” he said, calling for moral and financial support for the students.
Earlier, the Rector of CGTS, Ven. Prof. Rotimi Omotoye, welcomed guests and gave a brief history of the institution, which dates back to 2009 as a postgraduate institution for advanced theological studies. Aligning with Prof. Oduwole, he pledged to maintain ACU’s standards in Religious Studies at the seminary.
The ceremony’s highpoint was the matriculation lecture titled “Nation Building and Theological Thought: The Burden, the Responsibilities and the Existence Precarity,” delivered by Dr. David Olali, Assistant Director of the African Studies Institute at the University of Georgia, Athens, USA. This was followed by the matriculation oath-taking and signing of forms.
Dignitaries at the event included Rt. Revd. Samuel Ogundeji (Bishop of Egba West Diocese), Prof. Olukayode Binuyo (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, ACU), Dr. Bode Olofinmuagun (Registrar, ACU), Ven. Dr. Ishaya Anthony (Registrar, CGTS), Prof. Paul Akanbi (Dean, Postgraduate School, ACU), Prof. Stephen Solanke (Dean, Faculty of Humanities, ACU), and Dr. Ayo Ogidiolu (Head, Department of Religious Studies), among other scholars and dignitaries.
