Anchor University: On eagle’s wings

The eagle has no fear of adversity – Joyce Meyer
In less than three months after its take-off, Anchor University has dug deep and wide in a bid to fulfill its mandate of becoming a leading private University in Nigeria within the first decade.

A faith-based University owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Anchor University is established to bring a revolutionary change to education that will transform lives and redefine scholarship in Nigeria, Africa and, indeed, the rest of the world.

In his first address to the University staff, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of AUL, Prof Joseph O Afolayan brought this point to the fore: “Anchor University is not created to complete the number rather, it is a University established to transform lives and train leaders who are sound both in learning and character.”

True to these words, Anchor University didn’t waste time in its drive to deliver its mandate. Less than two months after it was opened, the University had its maiden matriculation ceremony. The feat which has been lauded by many, and was referred to as “unprecedented” by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon A. Bello.

Besides that, erudite personalities from within and outside Africa have visited the University. One of them was Dr Marloes Janson, an Associate Professor and lecturer from the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, School of African and Oriental Studies, SOAS, University of London. Indeed, Anchor University is leaving no stone unturned as regards strategies for partnership and collaborations with reputable international institutions and Universities.

From sourcing some of the finest academicians and administrators around the country, to investing in massive infrastructure and then creating a serene learning environment where hard work and godly principles are taught, Anchor University would count no price too high in changing the face and fate of tertiary education in Nigeria.

This reality could not have been better expressed by any other personality other than the Chancellor, Anchor University and General Superintendent of DCLM, Pastor W.F Kumuyi during his keynote address at the University’s maiden matriculation in March 2017.

According to him, Anchor University is established to check decadence in the Nigerian educational system and equip “the youths with sound moral principles, excellent skills to excel and transform the society.”

Having been an outstanding product of rigorous academic training and matchless grace of the cross, the Chancellor and respected clergy could not have been in any doubt of the magnitude of those words at the ceremony.

For now, Anchor University is taking up the challenge of transforming the face of education in Nigeria, and beyond. The Management is not sitting on its oars; the staff are getting trained and prepared for this laudable task, the students are buying into the vision – indeed, the stage is set for a sweeping transformation of our educational system.

Anchor University is ready for the future.

Anchor University’s pioneer Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Olaseinde Afolayan, is a reputable scholar and an internationally respected researcher. He is a leading figure in redefining the field of Civil Engineering.

He has been involved in a countless number of high-powered academic, national and international assignments that have positively affected and improved the practice of Engineering and Engineering education globally. In recognition of his myriad of contributions to academics, he has received several international and national awards.

The highly respected scholar of civil engineering started his hugely successful career at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2004. At ABU, he was a Head of Department, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering, and the Chairman, Postgraduate Studies Committee. Before then, he had attended the same University where he bagged his First Degree in B. Eng in Civil Engineering (1981).

He also had his M. Eng and PhD in Structural Engineering from ABU in 1984 and 1994 respectively. Apart from ABU, Professor Joseph Afolayan has also attended a couple of other foreign Institutions where he brushed his skills as an educator, researcher and an administrator.

He joined the Civil Engineering Department of the Federal University, Akure (FUTA) in 2005 and, Landmark University in 2014 from where he joined Anchor University as the Vice Chancellor. At FUTA, he was a HOD and, the Dean, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

More recently, Professor Joseph O Afolayan was the Acting Vice Chancellor of Winners Chapel’s own University, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

The Present and pioneer Vice Chancellor of AUL became a professor in 2004 at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has continued to keep a busy and discipline life even though he has been charged with a range of academic and administrative tasks both nationally and internationally. It is on record that Professor Joseph Afolayan had undertaken more high-profile publications and researches after he became a professor than when he was not.

He has also undertaken Academic Exchanges as a Scholar across universities in Germany. He is a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), New York Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC), the USA among many other international professional organisations.

As an educator and University administrator, Professor Joseph Afolayan specialises in Risk Analysis and Strategies for Management of Engineering Systems; Numerical Modelling with Computer Applications in Structural Engineering; and the use of Innovative Materials in Building Industry. He has also supervised research works at different levels of the University for over 30 years.

During his maiden address with Anchor University staff in February 2017, Professor Joseph O Afolayan said he is in Anchor with a mandate and vision to make the University a foremost institution with an enviable global reputation.

That journey has begun and, with his management team, Prof J.O. Afolayan is settling for nothing but the best.

• Sanusi is Assistant Registrar, Strategy and Communications of Anchor University