The Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor AAA. Atayero, has enjoined the people of Promise Community, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, Ogun State, to join hands with the University in fighting the scourge of malaria outbreaks.
He gave the admonition on Saturday, 27 of April, 2029, at a programme organized by the Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative (CU-CDII) in commemoration of the 2019 World Malaria Day.
While speaking on the theme of the World Malaria Day tagged, ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me’, the Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akan Williams, urged the people of Promise Community and other neighbouring communities to cultivate healthy habits and pay attention to similar outreaches in order to make lives better for all and sundry.
According to him, “Malaria is a tiny thing but it has killed a lot of people and we must all fight back and eradicate it, which informed the University’s decision to embark on campaign awareness programmes. Because the University must give back to the community it is situated in, we have always been involved in providing comfort for our community. Our three-pronged function as a University are teaching, research and community development.”
He noted that the programme was not only out to screen people and distribute drugs, but an avenue to know what to pray about concerning their health and general well-being, adding that Covenant was out to give care to the people.
Professor Akan appreciated the massive turnout of the people at the programme and thanked the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo that God is using to facilitate the outreaches.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chair, CU-CDII, Mrs. Aderonke Asaolu, opined that since the Communities around the University had been receptive to Covenant, it behooves the University to give back to them, because without the community the University wouldn’t be enjoying all her accolades and achievements. She thanked the Promise Community Development Association for cooperating with the University in her efforts at eradicating malaria and other diseases.
On his part, the Baale (traditional leader) of the community, Chief Giwa Adamson, was full of praises for the Chancellor, Covenant, Dr. David Oyedepo, whom he described as Jesus’ representative on earth, in bringing succour to weary people. He prayed to God to continue to bless Dr. Oyedepo and the University for all the good works.
The Living Faith Church Provincial Pastor in charge of the area, Pastor Osayande Odaro, used the occasion to enlighten the people on the need to allow Jesus to bring permanent solution to their problems. He cited Matthew 11:28 as a clarion call for them as Jesus is waiting for them to come to Him for the alleviation of their heavy burdens.
The programme also featured a Health talk given by the Acting Director, Covenant University Medical Centre, Dr. Adebanjo Adebayo, while there were screenings for malaria, diabetes and eye problem, and distribution of drugs to participants.