Gov Suntai is healthy, reading, writing, signing signatures, back soon, says PDP

*To return to Nigeria soon

Recuperating Gov of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday disclosed that governor Danbaba Suntai is healthy and full of life with ability to sign signature, write notes and read.
Addressing Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Chairman, PDP, Taraba State,  Hon. Victor Bala Kona who  debunked media report that the Governor suffered brain damage from the October 25, 2012 plane crash in Yola, said that he  will soon return to the country.
Kona who who described former Deputy governor of the state, Senator Saleh Danboyi as one who is on his own, stressed that governor Suntai was  in his full senses, right frame of mind as well as speaks, writes, signed signature.
Danboyi was quoted to have called for the swearing in of the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar as a substantive governor.
According to him, those calling for  his impeachment are only desperate and would not have their way, just as he said that he spoke with the governor on telephone yesterday, saying, “I spoke with the governor about 40 minutes ago.”.
“I spent the entire holiday season in Hanover, Germany and just got back last weekend. I can authoritatively tell you that the governor is in stable condition and would soon be in Nigerian to continue the good work he is doing in Taraba."
According to Kona, Suntai needs time to recover from the fatal air crash he survived as the German doctors who are managing him in the private apartment through the necessary physiotherapy that would make him recuperate.
He dismissed the possibility of the governor being removed on ground of incapacitation as the speaker who was expected to constitute the 5 man medical team for such action was with the governor in his private apartment in Germany where he is being treated.
" He is currently at a private apartment doing physiotherapy and receiving visitors. Contrary to all negative comments in some quarters, the governor did not sustain brain or spinal cord injuries. He is not partially paralysed; rather he is in full sense and right frame of mind. He speaks, eats and does all the normal things every agile, strong person can do.
“This governor survived an air crash on October 25 in Yola and the recovery process must take its course. "Those expecting him to recover overnight are only trying to make him a superman and are not being honest, surviving an air crash is no child’s play. He needs time to go through the current stage physiotherapy. The German doctors are very enthusiastic about his recuperation and would soon announce a date for his home coming," he said.
According to him,  the state was  running smoothly with the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar in charge and that contrary to speculations, he has  full powers and is conducting the affairs of the state well apart from exhibiting unalloyed loyalty to Suntai.
On  Senator Saleh Usman Danboyi’s call for the swearing in of the acting governor, the PDP chairman said, “administrative stand still in the state” is unfortunate and exhibition of ingratitude on the part of Danboyi.
He said that Danboyi  left for the ACN after benefiting politically from the PDP, just as he said that he spoke as a bitter  opposition member.
Kona equally berates Senator Aisha Alhassan’s for saying that the governor’s air crash was  paying for his sins and that his being alive was for  him to repent, saying such comment was unexpected of someone  who got  to the Senate on the goodwill and support of the governor.
While insisting that the crashed plane belongs to Taraba State Government, he also said there was  nothing wrong with the governor flying the plane as a pilot the way government officials drive their cars despite the attachment of official car and drivers to them.

Bad weather: Airlines forced to divert flights heading to Lagos Airport

Arik Air and Virgin Atlantic Airways were yesterday forced to divert their inbound international flights from London-Heathrow to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos while domestic airlines had all their early morning flights delayed due to poor visibility caused by bad weather for over three hours.

Arik Airlines diverted its flight heading to Lagos from London-Heathrow to Port Harcourt because of the foggy weather condition which disrupted flight operations at the airport while Virgin Atlantic Airways, which regularly arrive MMIA, Lagos from London-Heathrow in the early hours of the morning was diverted to neighbouring African country, Ghana.

Speaking on the situation, Public Relations Officer, Arik Air, Mr. Banji Ola who confirmed the poor weather condition that hinders visibility in Lagos said that the foggy weather affected its London and Dakar flights that were coming into the country.

He explained further that with the bad weather, no flight could land or take-off in Lagos for over three hours in the morning.

“It is true we diverted our London and Dakar flights to Port Harcourt today (yesterday). The weather could not allow aircraft to land or take-off in Lagos and for safety reasons, we flew to Port Harcourt and when the weather normalized, we flew to Lagos” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Spokesman for Virgin Atlantic Airways, Mr. Kudirat Scot-Igbene who also confirmed the diversion of its London flight to Accra, Ghana because of foggy weather pointed out that the passengers were later airlifted to Lagos when the weather got improved.

Also, the Communication Manager, Dana Air, Mr. Tony Usidamen said that its early morning flight out of Abuja was affected by the poor visibility in the morning.

Usidamen noted that its 7am flight to Lagos was delayed for over two hours because of hazy weather, saying that for safety reasons, it stayed in Abuja for the weather to improve.

It's Allah's pleasure to forgive

No man is infallible. Errors and sins are undoubtedly part of human nature and no one will be free of it. All of us fall short, commit sins, and make mistakes. Sometimes we turn to Allah in obedience, and most times we willfully or forgetfully turn away from His ordinances. Imam Tirmizhi reported: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”
Allah has bestowed His mercy and compassion. He is Forbearing and does not wield the stick every time we erred. He gives man respite, and He commanded His Prophet (s.a.w) to proclaim His generosity as stated in Suratul Zumar, 39:53 “Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Repentance is meant for all classes of people. Those who disobey Allah and commit sin, those who follow a middle course, and even those who are foremost in good deeds are enjoined to seek Allah’s forgiveness. The doctrine of remenission of sins has no place in Islam and that is why the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “O people, repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness, for I repent one hundred times a day.”
The reward of repentance is blessings coming down from heaven, blessings coming from the earth, an increase in one’s wealth and offspring, blessings in productivity, good physical health and protection from diseases. Allah says of Hood (a.s)
“Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words)”
“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah)” (Hood 11: 3,52)
It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Sa’d ibn Maalik ibn Sinaan al-Khudri (r.a) that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “There was a man among the people who came before him a man who killed 99 people. Then he asked about the most knowledgeable person on earth, and was directed to a hermit, so he went to him, told him that he had killed 99 people, and asked if he could be forgiven. The hermit said, ‘No,’ so he killed him, thus completing 100. Then he asked about the most knowledgeable person on earth and was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed 100 people, and asked whether he could be forgiven. The scholar said, ‘Yes, what could possibly come between you and repentance? He was asked by this scholar to immediately proceed to a town where its people always worship God and shun sin, warning him never to return to his own town full of atrocities. So the man set off, but when he was halfway to the town, the angel of death came to him, and the angels of mercy and the angels of wrath began to argue over him. The angels of mercy said: ‘He had repented and was seeking Allah.’ The angels of wrath said: ‘He never did any good thing.’ The matter was however resolved by measuring the distance between the two lands (his home town and the town he was going). It was discovered that he was closer to where he was going and farer from where he was coming. So, he had the pleasure to follow the angels of mercy.
What is meant by repentance is returning to Allah, giving up sin hating it, and show remorse for having committed the sin.
For you who have trampled on the rights of the weak, the orphan, you must as a matter of urgency restore their rights. If you have been unduly unfair to a widow, you need to seek redress, ask for pardon and repent. If you have used your position and power to amass wealth or property, you must return them, before seeking forgiveness from Allah. As condition necessary for a valid repentance, you must give up the sin, show remorse of having done it, and exhibit a practical resolve never to go back to it.
But the truth again remains, that anyone who repents to Allah from any sin is to be congratulated, because it is as if they have been born anew through their sincere repentance. The reward of repentance is a good life in the shade of faith, contentment, peace of mind and tranquility. This is usually followed by blessings in this world and in the Hereafter. You will have the purity of heart and closeness to Allah.  He is the most forgiving and compassionate.

Pastor caught in the act, brutally beaten, arrested, charged to courtoman

Pastor caught in the act, beaten, arrested and charged to court
A 32-year old Nigerian pastor, Kehinde Boluwaji, has landed himself in trouble for allegedly dipping his fingers and pouring salt inside a woman’s private part under the false pretence of carrying out deliverance on her.
Boluwaji, who hails from Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria, reportedly lied to the victim, 22-year old Busola Adebayo that she was possessed of a strange spirit that will cause her untimely death if she was not delivered.
He also told Busola that the bad dreams she always had will not allow her to get a husband and when she eventually gets married, she will not get pregnant and have children.
He told her the deliverance will start from her private part to other parts of her body.
Boluwaji then invited and locked her in his one room apartment at 7, Arounmalase street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos for ‘prayer and deliverance’.
According to the victim, “he ordered me to remove my dress and pant and sit on a floor and spread my legs wide open while he was busy muttering and pretending he was praying.
“He brought out a white handkerchief and salt and first ordered me to pour it inside my private part and later joined me in doing so. He started fingering me, pretending that he was praying. He used the handkerchief and cleaned it and took it away.”
On why she did not raise an alarm, Busola said she was overwhelmed by the prophecy he told her.
She was later rescued by the victim’s friend who saw her when she entered the pastor’s room and raised an alarm. This forced the pastor to open the door and by then she was still nude.
The neigthbours descended on the pastor and battered him before the police at Ijeshatedo division rescued and took him to the station.
He was charged to a Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of conduct likely to cause the breach of public peace contrary to Sections 166 and 348 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Part of the charge reads: “That you pastor Kehinde Boluwaji on the same date, time and place did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace by asking the victim to use salt to wash her private part.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The trial magistrate, D. T. Olatokun granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody because nobody showed up to perfect his bail.

Who's after the Bride?

•Property worth N3billion destroyed as churches go to “ war’
...hoodlums carted away over N15million offering, tithes money

For a moment, it looked as though the demolition of the altar and the entire building that housed over 20,000 worshipers of the Bride Assembly was a joke unfolding in a manner that insulted the sensibilities of the onlookers, but it turned out to be real as members watched helplessly how the sacred house of God was cruelly demolished.
The Church which was located on Endeavour Crescent, Odofin, Park Estate, Off Ijesha, Bus-stop, a stone throw to the Lord Chosen Church, Lagos, was demolished early December, by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
When Saturday Vanguard visited the place, members were seen packing and sorting through the debris. A few of them however who managed to utter a few words said: “Who could have ordered this assault on God’s altar? Why would the demolition be so maliciously done? Why would you demolish a place of worship or any other place without notice, especially when the matter concerning the property is still pending in court?” they queried.
But the leader and General overseer, Pastor Moses Alu including the members appeared to be set for a legal battle to seek redress on the injustice perceived to have been done on them by those who according to them, illegally orchestrated and carried out  demolition of the church and properties worth over N3billion.
According to the Public Relation Officer of the Church, Deacon A . Eric, “at about 9am, what could be likened to an army of occupation invaded the church. They came in a convoy of cars, buses, hiluxes and a black maria (from Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development). They were given protection by about 40 armed policemen and when we asked if there was any notice, they said they have sent a notice a copy which they could not produce.”
He said over N3billion property were destroyed while about N15million cash which was realised from offerings and tithes were carted away by hoodlums who took advantage of the situation  shortly after the demolition. “They came with about forty policemen in a convoy or cars, with a trailer carrying a caterpillar which they used for the demolition. They rushed to the General overseer’s office and that was the first place they demolished. All the bullet proof doors were destroyed, including 20 other offices. We watched helplessly, as there was no prior notice to take away our properties. Most of our equipments, television, monitors among those things we used in our broadcast were destroyed.”
He disclosed that the church had petitioned Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola while the Church lawyer, Barrister Ozoan was preparing for a legal battle.
Narrating how the church acquired the land, Deacon Eric said: “In 2005, we paid N50million to acquire this place from the Onitire family represented by Oloto who is well known here.
“When we came here, it was not habitable because there were different kinds of reptiles here. Besides, all the roads leading to this place were done by the church. Sometime in 2009, we were told that this place had been allocated by the government to one Alhaji Kamorudeen Bolarinwa. We were suprised and so we went to court. Since that time, the mater has been in court, until that Wednesday, December, 5.”

He continued: “Leading
    the assault was a bulldozer which a trailer in their convoy had conveyed to the place. Before the church security men could ask any question, some frightening and armed youths, who were part of the demolition squad headed straight for the block which housed the offices of the Overseer, Deputy Overseer and their personal assistants.
“These young men who were on a mission and who seemed to know what they were instructed to do, in a commando style brought down the bullet-proof doors to the office, destroying everything in sight.
“They were quickly followed by the bulldozer which tore down other offices including the administration office. The next action was to start knocking down the pillars of the auditorium (an auditorium that seats over 20,000 people), and the auditorium fell. Not satisfied and under further instructions, the bulldozer went ahead to smash and destroy everything of importance - roofing sheets, chairs, Plasma and flat screen television sets, ceiling and standing-fans, computers, laptops, printers, water dispensers,among others. Twenty other offices, which included the children’s auditorium, the Ministers’, IT/TV, choir, Library, medical and press offices were also destroyed.
“At the end of the invasion, what was once a beautiful environment lay in ruins and the demolition squad left the way they came.”
He stated that while this was going on, the members most of whom had finished a vigil prayer watched helplessly while the whole place where they congregated to worship went down in ruins. He attributed the calmness of the members present during the demotion as reflection of the peace message of the General Overseer on a weekly basis.
“If there was anything worth commending, it is the spirit exhibited by members of the church. Though painful, no member was violent, even in the face of a sudden attack by about forty hoodlums who unleashed mayhem on a helpless congregation on the third day of the programme, before the timely intervention of the police who arrested some of the hoodlums. They showed oneness and resilience. This exemplary conduct is no doubt, due largely to the peace message churned out weekly from the pulpit.”
He continued: “We began the evacuation and clearing of the debris. This was completed the following day, Thursday, preparing the ground for the Friday vigil which was held under the tent. And as if to shame the enemy, an unprecedented crowd turned up for the vigil.
“It was believed that the intention of the enemy was to frustrate the camp and they were doing all they could to stop the programme, ‘but to God be the glory’; church members declared ‘the plans of the enemy frustrated’. Since then, the annual December camp (6 nights of vigils) opened on Monday,10th December and other programmes have witnessed very large turnout of worshippers with the Lord visiting His children with miracles, signs and wonders. How else could God manifest Himself when a larger crowd turned out on the 3rd day of the camp which was held in the open (without tents).
But who are the enemies whether real or imaginary? He stressed that it was surprising that while most of men of God Christians alike, far and near came, and called to commiserate with the church, “our brothers at Lord Chosen here who are very close to us did not show up neither did they call to express sympathy.”
All attempts to get the reaction of Lord Chosen church, proved abortive. The Public Relation Unit of the church declined comment while attempt to speak with the General Overseer also failed. Saturday Vanguard was told that only one pastor Chidi could facilitate a chat with the Overseer just as the telephone number made available to the reporter remained switched off.
As members of the Bride Assembly defied the discouraging situation and yet congregate under tents and canopies day and nights for worship, a member who had apparently spent more than 24 hours repairing some of the damaged ceiling fans and clearing some debris, was prompted by Saturday Vanguard to comment on the perceived enemies, he enthused: “what else can I say, but certainly, the bride will triumph and the Lord’s name will be exalted.”

When govt, people don't think!

Apart from the civil war, the year ended recorded one of the highest numbers of deaths and casualties in the history of this country. Apart from the Boko Haram phenomenon which has endlessly claimed the lives of defenseless and innocent people and of course which many believe have exposed the weakness and initial laissez faire attitude of the government in dealing with internal uprising effectively, the ill fated Dana crash that claimed the lives of 156 was also believed to be as a result of failure of government in proper regulation, standards and ensuring good enablement in the sector. Even if we have to excuse the government for the flood disaster that swept away hundreds of people, innumerable properties and crops, it cannot be free of blame on other thousands of people who met their deaths as a result of bad roads while traveling. The Lagos Ibadan road, Benin Ore roads to mention a few.
The incessant kidnaps and assassination have continued to bother the average Nigerian who has become more prayerful on security of life and property than how to get their daily three square meals. They already have a feeling that if it was not the father of a governor or mother of Iweala in the den of kidnappers, nothing can be done. There is no rescue. But God knows how to deal with those in His bad books. We ought to learn from the incidence of 2012. If a governor decides to fly because the roads are deathtraps, the episodes of Suntai and Yakowa are enough and if he decides to go on the roads as a result of incessant air crashes; then Governor Idris Wada has a lesson to share.
When something good befalls on one; when he receives goodness and kindness from the people around him; when things go the way he wants them to go, in a way that would cheer him up and make him happy; he feels rather complacent thinking that it was his wisdom and forgets to appreciate God. He even thinks those who could not achieve similar feat are fools. Only the wise knows that the benevolence he receives and the beautiful things looking up for him are made possible by Allah. Only the clever ones also knows that when goodness and benevolence cease, when things do not give the results he wants them to give; when difficulties and troubles arise; it is not the devil like most people are wont to say, but those things occurred because permitted it to happen so that people can learn and change their ways.
God shows His mercy even on a person who has committed the worst evils on earth and shows him the ways to salvation.
God revealed in the Quran that: Any disaster that strikes you is through what your own hands have earned. (Ash-Shura 42: 30)
This verse gives a person the true point of view with which he could evaluate the things he is experiencing in a correct and sound manner. As a people and a country, we need to evaluate ourselves; the leaders should also re-appraise themselves with a view to changing their ways to real goodness. In another verse God informs us that: Those who do good will have the best and more. (Yunus 10: 26)
When a person keeps his heart pure and sincere; when he looks at every event in his life by searching the approval of God; as long as he thinks by the dictates of what God enjoins us to do, as long as he tries to be fair and just, God would definitely “increase the goodness in such person’s life.
God is All-Compassionate and Most Merciful. His Mercy extends to all things. He loves His servants infinitely. Every moment of a person’s life is full of thousands of details in which he can see the love of God. And God is the owner of the infinite Justice. God creates new means every moment for man and inspires his conscience with what is right but the first condition is that – abstain from bad things. The Quran says and the leaders should learn this that “Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (An-Nahl 16:97)
No matter who is president, God is still the king. No matter who is a governor, Allah governs everything. Whatever human governments may do, the Supreme Being watches and will soon reward every deed put forward by homo sapient. Human governments will come and go, but God’s government will stand forever.

Council Watch Online: Mysterious Arabic inscription causes commotion in ...

Council Watch Online: Mysterious Arabic inscription causes commotion in ...: •To be displayed today at Lagos C'Mosque after Jumat service There was pandemonium at the Ebute Ero end of the Lagos Island in the earl...

Mysterious Arabic inscription causes commotion in Lagos

•To be displayed today at Lagos C'Mosque after Jumat service

There was pandemonium at the Ebute Ero end of the Lagos Island in the early hours of Sunday following the sudden appearance of an Arabic inscription ALLAH (God) on a patch of dry cement, on end of the road leading to Ebute Ero Welfare Association Market, Lagos Island Local Government, few meters away from the Police Division in the area.
Initial report said the mysterious inscription appeared overnight on the floor of the road and became more apparent at noon on Sunday attracting thousands of people and causing a frenzied rush to the area.
Speaking to Facing the Kaaba, on the issue, the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Muhammad Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, OON, said it was found in the early hours of Sunday at a place usually covered by water within the Ebute Ero Market; but it manifested because the water-log in the area dried up. "So, it could have been there before now but because of the water-log, no one could have noticed it. But it is one of the signs of Allah."
Alhaji Garba stated that similar miraculous examples had been found in fish; trees, snail even in babies all over the world urging that it is another opportunity to witness the signs of Allah and to show that Islam is a religion sanctioned by Allah. He lampooned those who threw caution to the wind and bowed down in worship of the object urging them to repent and seek forgiveness of Allah as it is only a sign of Allah and not a deity to be worshiped.
Stating why the object had to be removed to the Central Mosque, The Chief Imam stated: “My attention was drawn to the stampede and what people had turned the stone into within 24 hours that it was noticed; some bowed to it turning it into a deity of some sort; so, we had to remove it from there.”  He disclosed that the object will be displaced at the Central Mosque today after Jumat service for interested member of the public to see but warned that people should avoid committing shirk on the signs of Allah.
Alhaji Jide Idris who led the excavation of the stone noted that it was difficult removing the stone, nothing that even the police could not contain the rowdiness as everyone in the area wanted a glimpse of the object. He confirmed that it was at found on the road usually covered by water.
He stressed that since it was removed, people including the non-Muslims have been coming to the Central Mosque to see the stone.
Five people were reported fainted due to the rowdiness of the place while many hoodlums seized the opportunity to commit crimes.

Covenant University expels 200 students for not attending Church service

Students beg, Parents react
I’m not aware — Prof Okojie, NUC boss

About 200 students may have been expelled by the authorities of Covenant University, Cannanland, Ota, Ogun State, recently for what was described as “disregard of paramount core values.”
Frustrated and angered by the development, some of the affected students who gave account of what happened battled emotions while narrating their situations to Saturday Vanguard recently. They however pleaded with the school authorities to tamper justice with mercy in order to save their future.
Saturday Vanguard investigation revealed that out of the figure, about 126 were expelled for not attending the ‘departure service’, meant to sign off from the school after the end of the Semester and Matriculation of students on November 30.  Five other students were thrown out for smoking while unconfirmed source said additional 60 got the same fate for violating other rules bordering on the University’s core values. A few others were given four weeks suspension for failure to sign the head count that was conducted a couple of weeks earlier.
A letter of expulsion signed by the Registrar, Ntia Ubong, a copy which was made available to Saturday Vanguard stated that the affected students contravened Chapter 1, section 30, page 40 of the 2010-2014 Student Handbook.
We gathered that the massive expulsion was predicated on the anger of the Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo who was said to have been infuriated after seeing students loitering around when they were supposed to be at the Chapel for the Departure Service.
He was said to have personally chased students to the Chapel and ordered for a search into all the halls and colleges to fish out those who did not attend the service.
Several attempts to get the school authorities comment on the issue proved abortive.  The Instituion’s Corporate Affairs Head, Mr Igban Emmaunel also refused to comment as calls pulled through to him were unanswered and text messages not replied.

How it happened
A few of the affected students gave account of what happened to Saturday Vanguard at different points.  The similar accounts go thus:  “On November 30, the last day of the semester, preceding our December break, there was also a Matriculation for the 100 level students; in fact some students had their last semester exams on that day, some of them finished around 3:00pm while the matriculation started around 8am. Some students retired to their rooms to relax while some engaged in some other activities jubilating the end of the semester. Some also got drinks from the matriculating students. Even as these were going on, some students who finished around 3pm retired to their halls. By 5pm, they announced that we should get prepared for the ‘Departure service’ which was to start by 8pm. Some students were already seeing their parents off while some of us were just trying to relax to get off the stress of the exams. Most of us hadn’t gotten through the tiredness of the sleepless nights of the exams; so, some us stayed back in our rooms. The departure service is usually a day before we go home and it is usually presided over by the Chancellor. Before the commencement of the service, they used to lock up the main doors of the halls so as to prevent cases of theft. I was not bothered since there were a lot of us in the hall. Some minutes past 8pm, they switched off the light and all of us in the hall went into our rooms. Because of the darkness and the cold, I slept off immediately.”
He continued: “The persistent knocks on the door woke me up and I realised that they had come to search for people who had not come to service. Before I realised what was going on, I found myself with other students numbering about 30. They took down our names and counted us to make sure that no one was omitted. They said the Chancellor was at the service and we refused to come. I heard them talking about other halls and they asked us to wait. I didn’t take it seriously because I never believed in my widest imagination that we would be expelled. We were later asked to go to our various halls.
“Some of those who went into hiding were lucky as they were not found. Shortly, those who went for the service returned and told us there was poor attendance at the Chapel and how students were diving in through the windows, scampering for seats. In fact, one narrated to us how the Chancellor jumped through the window to vent his anger on some students who had jumped in,” he stated.
Another expelled student also gave similar account of the incident. “I couldn’t go to the service because, I was not feeling well which was as a result of the stress of the exams we had just finished. After a while, I managed to go but I heard that they started driving people back around 7:30pm while the service was to start around 8pm. I was surprised because the rule was that you’ve got to be seated 15minutes to the service. Again, it was never made compulsory, but they tried to get students out of the halls to prevent cases of theft. So, because I was not feeling well, I went back to my room because I needed to rest for a while.
“I thought it was a  joke when they said we are in for expulsion because we failed to come for departure service. I have never done anything contrary to the school laws. I have never faced any panel before  and neither did I have any unpleasant case in my file. I never thought it was real until letters were handed to me the  following morning.”
Giving account of how letters were handed out to them, the visibly troubled student said: “By 6am, they announced the names of  those who were caught in halls and colleges. Usually after the departure service, one can sign out from there and go but because it ended late and no one could travel, students had to wait till the  following  morning. But the hall officer told those of us whose names were written down that if we leave, we should  be considered gone from the university forever. That gave us an insight into what was likely to come as punishment. By 7:45am, we were called once again to go downstairs for our letters. Those who collected theirs before mine were crying and I wondered what the punishment could be until I read the letter stating I was expelled from the university.”

At the Chapel
Another student who found his way to the Chapel also told Saturday Vanguard that while the Chancellor was being driven past, he noticed that students were loitering at about the time they were supposed to be seated at the chapel. He said that this apparently infuriated him and he alighted from his car and chased students to the chapel with knocks. “I saw him, alighted from his car and chased students to the chapel; I quickly found my way to the hall. Not quite long after, I saw students jumping in through the windows. It was a big commotion. Even the chancellor was going after those who jumped into the chapel. Later, he addressed the students saying  he was very disappointed by the behaviour that the students were not seated 15 minutes before the service.”
Another account had it that while the Education Secretary, Prof. Aize Obayan was addressing the students, the students were murmuring, then the  Chancellor immediately took to the microphone and said: “if I hear the voice of any student, the curse of the Lord shall fall upon that one.” The chapel immediately went dead silent.
Our source who was also late to the service stated that the Chancellor later directed that those students who did not come to the service would be purged out saying they did not belong  to the school. Our source stated that at the end of the service, he prayed for the students in the hall.
Another source in the school hinted that at that point, the Vice-chancellor pleaded on behalf of those who were absent but the Chancellor insisted they must be  purged from the school.
Our source told Saturday Vanguard  that  the Vice-Chancellor while addressing  the  students announced that a search would be carried out in all the halls and colleges to find out those who failed to attend the departure service, advising them to wait behind.
Saturday Vanguard investigation revealed that out of the figure, about 126 were  expelled for not attending  the ‘departure service’, five were thrown out for smoking marijuana, twenty-five final year students  and undisclosed number of  lower level students were caught violating rules bothering on the University’s core values.  We also gathered that a few others were given four weeks suspension for failure to sign the head count that was conducted a couple of weeks earlier. Some of  the students opined that  failure to sign the head count was even a greater offence which implied that the student was not in the school at the time of the exercise but yet got a four-week suspension.
The private  university is known for its strict rules and discipline such as not allowing the students to use mobile phones within the school’s premises, while it is mandatory for students to always bring their bible to the chapel.

Parents react
A few parents who volunteered information spoke to  us on condition of anonymity  fearing that their children might be victimised in case  the issue was resolved amicably. One of them  said  with bitterness that it is unacceptable, adding that the expulsion was not commensurate with the offence deemed to have been committed. He urged the school authorities to rescind  its decision adding that the future of  the students is at stake.
“For me, it is not acceptable. These students were  not given fair hearing. Expulsion should not  be a punishment for failure to attend service. We all agree, it is a Christian school but failure to attend church service could be due to a lot of reasons. I gathered that some of the students even finished their exams about 5pm that day. So, those people that finished at that time had barely three hours to prepare for the service. But stampeding them to congregate for service and then expelling those who did not come is a decision taken too far. For me, if there was poor attendance, I think the authorities have a responsibility. They have not been fair in putting the service so close to the examination. Even God will not do that.”
He however commended the Chancellor, Dr. Oyedepo on his vision towards the education of Nigeria children especially when the government institutions are failing, but urging him to tamper justice with mercy.
Another parent who was  afraid of the press noted that he was still studying  the situation and would not want to comment but noted that he was reliably informed that some group of parents made frantic efforts to meet with the Chancellor on the issue but without success. It was not clear the level of the efforts made. He further hinted that some students have not told their parents about their expulsion, still hoping that the issue would be resolved. He lamented that his child had been having sleepless nights, going through mental torture  unjustifiably. “I agree that discipline must be instilled in the students but it should not be aimed at destroying the life of the students. Expulsion is too great a punishment for non attendance of a departure service, without even a warning especially when the students hitherto, had not been found wanting,” he stated.

What the Student Handbook says
The Covenant University Core values border on Spirituality, Possibility Mentality, Capacity Building, Integrity, Responsibility, Diligence and Sacrifice. On the spirituality aspect, it states:  “The Christian ethos underguard our activities and conducts at all time and every student of Covenant University is expected to exhibit character traits and dispositions of a Jesus-centered heritage. The Jesus - factor centered approach to all issues is non-negotiable and central in the pursuit of our mandate in raising a new generation of leaders and in the realization of  the objectives of our purpose. To this extent therefore, students will be committed to maintaining a high level of spirituality and shall act in such manner as to facilitate their spiritual growth as well as work out ways to evolve and implement a spiritual development plan. Attendance at Chapel Services is a  compulsory part of students’ spiritual development where a bible and notebook are essential kits for the service. Students are expected to demonstrate a deep reverence for God at all  times.”

The school declines comment Several attempts were made to get the school authorities comment on the issue. The institution’s Corporate/Public Affairs Officer, Mr Igban Emmanuel Kalu declined comment. At first, several calls were pulled through to him but he refused to pick his calls. When the reporter persisted, he later picked but said he was driving and could not answer any question. But few hours later, other calls pulled to him were unanswered. A text message was sent to his phone and up to the time of writing this report, he did not reply.

I’m not aware —Prof Julius Okojie, NUC Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie said he has not been briefed on the matter.  
Prof Okojie stated this during a telephone conversation Saturday Vanguard had with him a few days ago. “I am not aware of any expulsion by Covenant University; I will ask the school authorities. Right  now, I am not in Abuja, I left Abuja few days ago and until I return to Abuja and find out details about the matter, I cannot comment on it,” he said.