Covenant University has announced her Christmas Break, marking the end of the first half of the Alpha Semester and the closure of academic activities for the year 2024.

The announcement was made during the Departure Assembly at the University Chapel,which saw a gathering of both students, academic and non-academic staff of the tertiary institution, signaling the beginning of the Christmas break  with effect from Friday, December 6, 2024.

While making the announcement, the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Igban, informed the students that academic activities for the new semester would resume on January 4, 2025, adding that prompt resumption was necessary to enable  students to prepare for their exams in the new semester.

The forum also gave the University Management the opportunity to examine the successes recorded in its previous administration and also give some word of admonition to students as they depart from the campus to observe the Christmas holidays.

In his remarks, the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, admonished the students to uphold Christian virtues and values, which Covenant stands for, even as they take a break from academic activities to enjoy the forthcoming yuletide.

He urged the students to remember all that they had been taught in the past ten weeks of uninterrupted  engagement, reminding them of the rules governing the conduct of students of the citadel.

He counseled them not to sacrifice on the altar of wrong choices or wrong decisions; grounds gained in learning, this past 10 weeks, and implored the students to reflect always on Proverbs 1:8, and Psalm 1:1, which are scriptural injunctions to God’s children to shun any sinful association with the ungodly. 

In furtherance of his counsel to students on the need to exercise caution in their dealings as they observe the holidays, the Vice-Chancellor remarked that the 30-day Christmas break provided the students with the opportunity to re-evaluate all they had been taught during the semester.

Addressing the assembly, in a message titled, ‘Understanding and Maximising the Season,’ the immediate past Secretary, Board of Regents, Covenant University, Pastor David Oyedepo Jnr, urged the students to effectively represent Christ wherever they find themselves.

Citing Ecclesiastes 3:1, Pastor Oyedepo Jnr, reminded the gathering that the scripture is clear about God being the God of times and seasons. He noted that every season with God, according to the scripture in focus, is tied to a purpose. 

He stressed that God crowns the year with His goodness as aptly captured in Psalm 65:11, which the preacher also cited. He added that the celebration of Christmas at the end of each year is God’s gift to humanity.

He explained that the reason for the Christmas season was to highlight Christ's salvation-package for all of humanity. The Chancellor's son explained that the birth of Jesus Christ is God's plan for the redemption of man from sin, which wages wars within us.

Speaking further, Pastor Oyedepo Jnr said this is what Luke chapter 2:10 emphasizes when it speaks of ‘Glad tidings of great joy,’  adding that Jesus came to save man not just from sin, but also from  joyless conditions of life. He also added that Jesus came to give us peace that is not dependent on circumstances. He therefore encouraged the students to take advantage of the season to experience the fullness of Christ’s salvation.

He revealed that to maximize access to this ‘salvation-package’ of Christ, students and indeed every one who desires salvation, must first receive Him (John 1:12), believe in Him (John 3:16), obey Him, doing what He says (John 2:5), and Celebrate Him, because that’s what Christmas is about. He emphasized that, “all that we are and all that we will be,” will come from Christ.

Citing, 1 Corinthians 10:31, he also admonished the students to represent Christ effectively, even in their interactions with family members, Christians and non-Christians alike. 

The highlight of the occasion was the release of fatherly blessings on both staff members and students of the University by the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo.