Religious Clerics have advised the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Imuetinyan Salami to spiritualize her activities for a successful administration.

Mallam Nuredeen Asunogie, Islamic Cleric and very Reverend Opeyemi Awe of the All Saints Chapel, University of Benin (UNIBEN), said this during the interdenominational service to mark the 45th Convocation and 49th Founder’s Day Ceremonies of the University.

Asunojie who took his Quranic reading from Qur Ansurah Chapter 10 verses 11 to 14, decried the widening gulf among University administrators, lecturers and students which according to them are suppose to mentor and become better people in society.

The clergymen, called on authorities concern to go restore moral values which he claimed was fast eroding to the Ivory tower and prevent the standard of the ivory from seeping into academic irrelevant.

He said the management of the University owes their students a duty by insulating them against vices and bring them up in the fear of Almighty Allah in order to become a good Alumni of UNIBEN both in character and learning as well as Knowledge for service.

He also urged the Vice Chancellor not to be held hostage and strive hard to make a mark that would stand the test of time, adding that the task ahead of her was enormous.

“We appreciate the humility that follow when you are going, not when you came in”, he said.

On his part, Very Reverend Opeyemi Aweh, the Assistant Parish Priest of the All Saints Chapel (UNIBEN) who took his text from the bible book of 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 verse 11 which talks about God sovereign authority during the reign of King David, said knowing the mind of God regarding before taking up any assignment as as an administrator was key to success and Nigeria transformation.

He tasked the University management be watchful and mentor their students well not to bring shame to them and the society at large, describing the recent reported cases of sexual harassment in some tertiary institutions, was unacceptable.

In his tribute, Very Reverend Awe who spoke on the topic: “Thine is the Kingdom”, said: “You know what we need to do as a Country, is to transform this our minds and our institution so that we will not produce educated ruffians. I think you (UNIBEN) need to do more about character”.

“Professors what are you professing? We have possessors who posses students marks for money and sex…

“We can never be transform under such situation because character can never formed or transformed”, he said.

According to him, “Mr VC, some of your administrators act as if they are higher than you. They have forgotten so soon that the owner of the soul will demand for it one day…Of course, some of us will still be the one to call to do commendation service for them.

“To the Prof. Salami, you have no choice, but to ensure that the kingdom of God is seen in UNIBEN.

One day, you will give account of your own work…As you depend on God, God will strengthen you.

“Surrender to God”, and to the outgoing VC to “your uncommon humility, your uncommon acceptability, your your good spirit for those years”, he said.

Prof. Faraday Orumwense took his bible reading from 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 verses 10 to 14 and Saint Mark Chapter 4 verses 21 to 22 while, the Vice Chancellor-designate, Prof. Imuentiyan Lilian Salami, said the prayer for Nigerian institutions and young people.

All saints Chapel chair (UNIBEN), thrilled the audience with hymns while the Registrar of the University, Dr (Mrs) Otasowie Oshodin, prayed for the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari including those in Civil authority.

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