AFUED Vice-Chancellor Urges Workers to Pray Fervently for the University's Mission

Workers in Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo, Ondo State, have been asked to pray fervently for the institution in its efforts at achieving its mission and vision. 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, gave the charge while speaking at the December, 2025 edition of the monthly organised University prayer meeting, which held on Monday, December 1, 2025 in the institution. 

While taking stock of series of events that have taken place in the institution, since the beginning of the year 2025, including the period of his assumption of duty, Prof. Popoola noted that what is required of everyone is to give thanks to God for “His faithfulness with the University during its difficult situations”. 

He said: “As a University, God has been faithful to us for He has not allowed anyone of us to have sorrow. We started the year well and we are still alive as we move to its end, it is by the grace of God,” he remarked. 

Going to memory lane, especially on an issue concerning the publication of fake news, where it was alleged recently that the institution lost 18 of its students in a road crash while going for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme holding at the Gombe State orientation camp, the University Administrator said: “I am sure you heard the news which occurred about a week or two weeks ago that 18 students of this University died in a road accident on their way to the NYSC camp. 

“When I heard the news, I was very devastated and I said God, this is not the covenant you have with me. I said the covenant you have with me is the same covenant you have with Moses in the book of Numbers, where it was stated that after the war, Moses counted the soldiers and the Bible said none was missing. 

“I am not fighting a war, so why 18 students should be missing. I knelt down and cried to God, and before the end of that day, the news turned around. 

“May the Lord save us from bad news and all these bloggers that carry news that they did not verify in Jesus name,” he stated. 

Prof. Popoola commended the organizers of the prayer meeting and staff of the University for participating in the exercise. He urged workers in the institution not to despair but to continue to attend the monthly prayer gathering, praying that God Almighty would answer their prayers and keep them safe throughout the new month. 

Earlier in a sermon delivered on the occasion by one of the senior members of the University prayer committee, Pastor Paul Adebayo, he enjoined the congregation to place their hope in God and show gratitude for His mercy and safety. 

He said: “What is happening in Nigeria today, nobody can give an answer. We have no other person to run to than God.

Quoting from the Bible in Psalm 107v 1-9 and 103, to buttress his points, he said What you have now, is the Lord that has given them to you. As an institution, God has been very faithful to us. He has given us a new name, new leadership, upgraded us and He is also settling our challenges, one after the other. 

“As we move to the end of the year, I want all of us to have fellowship with God, cultivate attitude of gratitude and placing our trust in Him. He is able to see us through the month of December”, he remarked. 

In another development, members of the Muslim community in Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo, have been advised to show love to all newly admitted students and every other workers in the institution. 

Speaking at the prayer session held at the University Mosque on Monday December 1, 2025 to commemorate the beginning of the month of December 2025, the Deputy Imam of the Muslim Community, Dr. Alfa Olasunkande explained that the showing of love by people to fellow human beings, is in line with Islamic injuction as stated in the Holy Quran.

Also in his admonition, the Chairman AFUED Muslim Community, Prof. AbdulRasheed Oloyede, emphasized the need for people to be of good conduct wherever they may be. 

Oloyede also stressed importance of peaceful co-existence among all categories of workers in the University, noting that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, that progress could be attained in any society. 

The two spiritual gathering which held simultaneously at the Olusegun Obasanjo and University Mosque in the institution respectively featured bible reading, Quran recitation as well as offering of prayers for Nigeria, Ondo state, the University as well as its Management and Students.

The events were attended by Principal Officers of the University, which included the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ireti Folasade Alao; Deans and Directors, Heads, of Departments, Divisions and Units, Christian and Muslim faithful as well as staff and students of institution.