Oyedepo said this at the World Press Conference\Media Launch of the 10th Founders Day Anniversary at Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State.
The anniversary has the theme: “Celebrating a Decade of Scaling Visionary Heights’’.
“The value system has completely been eroded and we must all rise to the challenge.
“I remember in the good old days, parents were passionate about how they brought up their children by constantly reminding them of the need to uphold integrity and make it their watchword.
“Today, it is a different orientation and perception about how to live in the society as the same parents seem to be singing a different song by encouraging their children and wards to go all out and get things done, irrespective of how it is done,’’ he said.
Oyedepo said that the university would continue to ensure that it produced men and women who would contribute meaningfully to the development of the country’s economy.
He said that the next 10 years of the university would be more glorious than the first 10 years, adding that this called for more concerted efforts by all stakeholders to drive the institution’s vision.
The cleric said that he was currently working toward achieving the “Vision 2031’’ of the university’s mandate which was basically the establishment of more universities not only in the country but also in Africa.
“Our vision as a mission is to establish four more universities in Nigeria and others across Africa.
“We will also establish as many primary and secondary schools as possible in the country because we see education as a core of the organisation’s mandate.
“It is only through education that we can liberate ourselves as a nation and a race,’’ he said.
Oyedepo said that plans had been concluded to establish a new university in Calabar next year.
The chancellor said that the university would be known as “Crown University’’ and would specialise in maritime studies.
He said that research had shown that the country needed to explore this sector as not much had been achieved in that branch of education.
“We always strive to delve into areas that will drive the economy of this country and create employment for our youths as this also informed the reason for the establishment of Land Mark University in Kwara with emphasis on agriculture,’’ he said.
The chancellor said that he was happy that five out of the nine first class graduates that were awarded scholarship by the Federal Government to study abroad came from the university.
He claimed that the insecurity in Nigeria has become an issue with many faces. He added that the agenda in the north that has caused insecurity is channeled towards the 2015 general elections. “All the agenda in the north is sponsored towards 2015. It is illiterate elites that are behind this issue. We have a leadership challenge because where there’s no decisiveness there will be no control,” he said.
He opined that our nation is threatened by leaders who went are indirectly illiterate because they attended universities but lack the characteristics of leaders. “The value system of our country has collapsed and this starts with the adult in the family and our leaders at the top.”
He stated that our mindset must change from the home. “Family members now encourage their relatives to make the most of the position they find themselves. Our political system has been virused and only a spiritual influence can overturn it. From top to bottom.”
He is however optimistic of the future and believes that Nigeria will enjoy glory days soon. “We must pray because our country will be great again but I believe it is a spiritual solution that we need,” he explained.
He warned that the government must abstain from using political might to favour itself. I believe that this situation will come under control.
Covenant University had produced 293 postgraduate students since inception and enrolled 16,729 students.
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