A new private university, the Precious Cornerstone University, PCU, is to be mentored by the premier University of Ibadan for 5 years to achieve its goals.
PCU was approved to start operation in September in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The new institution, being promoted by the Sword of the Spirit Ministries headed by Bishop Wale Oke, received the nod of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take off with 12 courses and two faculties.
They are the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences and Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Gen. Oladayo Popoola (rtd), told reporters at a press conference that the University of Ibadan would mentor PCU for the first five years to help it achieve its goal.
Popoola, a former Military Administrator of the old Oyo State, said the final approval to start off was given last December 6
The BoT therefore appointed Dr Bayo Adegoke as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university at the inaugural meeting.
Popoola said the institution would be adequately funded to enable it rank among the very best universities in the world.
The PCU promoter, Bishop Wale Oke, revealed that the journey started 11 years ago. He stressed that the PCU was out to produce world-class graduates that will be leaders in the various sectors of the economy.
According to him, only world-class scholars and administrators would be recruited as staff in order to accomplish the vision of the institution. Oke added that entrepreneurship would be integrated into the curriculum of the various courses, stressing that the university would partner with many local and international universities and organisations to open up opportunities and enrich the experience of students.
“We won’t compromise quality in academic, moral and spiritual requirements because we want to promote all-round development of the students.” The cleric said.
Oke added that there would be scholarships for students as the institution grows while insisting that candidates seeking admission to the school will need minimum of six credits in only one sitting to be qualified for admission.
The Pro-Chancellor, Dr Adegoke, said the PCU would not do the usual things because “we want to produce original thinkers. We want to be a game changer. Hence, we can’t do things the usual way.”
Other members of the BoT include the immediate past Prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde, Rev. Mrs Tokunbo Oke, Dr Bayo Adegoke, Dcn. Philemon Adeniran and Mr Banji Oshunkunle.
