Someone once defined excellence as the capacity to possess good qualities in high degree. Translation: Excellence means scoring [A] grades in your assignment. Excellence, therefore, attracts recognition and applause.

That was exactly what took place on Monday, September 11, 2006, when the President of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS), Mrs. Beatrice Ayankogbe, came calling at Covenant University to make a formal presentation of an Award for Meritorious Service to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aize Obayan.

At the brief presentation ceremony, held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Mrs Ayankogbe commended the leadership qualities of Prof. Obayan, describing her as a woman of great passion and focus, who has contributed substantially to the growth and development of academics in the nation.

She especially praised her dynamic role in ensuring that Covenant University is at the cutting edge of learning and a reference point to other institutions in the country.

Mrs Ayankogbe explained that NAWACS, which celebrated its 10th Year Anniversary early this month, was founded to give recognition to "women of substance, women who contribute substantially to the growth and development of education in Nigeria."

She expressed happiness that Covenant University was named as the best private university in Nigeria while Professor Obayan equally bagged the award of Best Vice-Chancellor for 2005 among Vice-chancellors of private Universities in the country. To her and NAWACS, those were no mean achievements, considering the young age of the university. Covenant University will be four years old on October 21, 2006.

Responding, Professor Obayan said that she was overwhelmed and humbled by the award, adding, however, that the credit for the recognition should go to God and the Chancellor, Covenant University as well as members of the University family, who have made it possible for her to give expression to the service platform.

She praised NAWACS for its objective of bringing together women academics for purpose of sharing knowledge to advance scholarship and to solve common problems.

The Vice-Chancellor, who is well known for her passion for excellence and for driving the cause of women and children, noted that she would always be available to give support to the association when required.

While giving the vote of thanks, the Registrar, Yemi Nathaniel, commended the vision of NAWACS and its activities to enhance academic growth and development.

Also present at the ceremony was the Dean of College of Human Development, Prof. Charles Ogbulogo, among others.