Allegation against President/Vice-Chancellor false – Babcock University

By Clifford Ejenavi

The Administration of Babcock University has described as false, mischievous and malicious report published by an online medium, The People’s Gazette on September 12, 2025, in which it alleged that one of the candidates aspiring to the office of President/Vice-Chancellor of the University is being resisted by an alleged church advocacy group, known as The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group on account of purported sexual infidelity during his service prior to his leave of absence.

In a press statement, Babcock University categorically condemns this publication in its entirety as baseless, fabricated, mischievous and malicious, stating emphatically and without equivocation that neither the University nor its Proprietors are aware or know any Church advocacy group within the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Owner of the University) called “The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group” or it’s so called coordinator, by name, Elder Samson Fasasi.

The University, therefore, considers these names and individuals fictitious until proper identification, adding that as far as the University is concerned, these are discredited and irresponsible self-seeking service individuals, masquerading under the unregistered outfit, unlawfully perpetrating iniquitous and unscrupulous conducts.

“It is therefore very disappointing and disheartening that an organization that prides itself as a media house would unashamedly be associating itself with such faceless miscreants,” the statement said.

The University explained that Professor (Pastor) Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, who, until his leave of absence in 2018 was the University Pastor/Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life, has never been involved, accused, dismissed, or sanctioned on grounds of sexual infidelity with any student or any other individual whatsoever or was ever involved in or connected with any misconduct by whatever name it is called.

“This allegation is a product of reckless imagination and a deliberate attempt to malign the character of the Church, the University, and its leadership process. Specifically, at no point did the University receive any allegation or report from anyone whosoever, including the so called ‘The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group’ or it’s so called coordinator, Elder Samson Fasasi in respect of the candidate mentioned in the publication of The People’s Gazette on September 12, 2025.

“Neither did the University set up any disciplinary committee to look into any such incident or any other incident whatsoever against the candidate mentioned in the publication as maliciously reported thereof, let alone covering up the findings of the supposed committee nor kicking against any finding being made public in whatever form by the Vice Chancellor.

“Contrary to the false and perfidious publication that the candidate (referred to in the publication) was advised to resign from the University to keep his alleged misconduct secret, a condition reported to have been accepted by him, the candidate duly processed his leave of absence in accordance with the policy of the University for family reason that had to do with lending appropriate parental supports for his children that decided to relocate back to the United States with the hope of coming back with his wife, after a while, to the University to continue their services. Logically, the publisher (The People’s Gazette) should have intelligibly reasoned that it is out of sensible conjecture that an employee that resigned from the University employment and whose resignation was said to have been duly accepted would be contesting for the position of the President/Vice Chancellor of the same University.

“The duly constituted University Governing Council 2025 Search Committee for the appointment of the President/Vice-Chancellor operates under the highest spiritual, ethical, and procedural standards. The Committee is guided strictly by the time-tested policies and guidelines of the global organization of over one and half centuries in existence – Seventh-day Adventist Church – that owns and operates other 118 tertiary institutions in all the continents of the world apart from Babcock University.

“In Babcock University’s sixty-six (66) years of existence – from its beginnings as a Seminary and College to its current status as a global citadel of learning – its judgment in such matters has remained impeccable, unchallenged, and universally respected.

“The appointment of the President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University is neither political, nor subject to lobbying, influence, or compromise. It is not an election. Rather, it is a sacred and spiritual exercise grounded in merit, excellence, prayerful consideration, adherence to the Church’s longstanding policies and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Candidates are assessed strictly on their moral uprightness, spiritual soundness, intellectual capacity, emotional stability, proven track record, and service to the Church and humanity.

“It is utter falsehood and sheer mischief for anyone to insinuate that a single individual – no matter his/her position – can unilaterally alter or tamper with the established policies of Babcock University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“The claim that the current Vice-Chancellor alone manipulated University policy to pave the way for a particular contestant is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the perpetrators of this malicious lie. At no point did the outgoing President/Vice Chancellor attempt to unilaterally amend the University Bye-laws or any guideline whatsoever, let alone doing so in the bid to impose a successor on the University as erroneously reported in an earlier publication of same The People’s Gazette on May 25, 2025.

“Under the Bye-laws of the University, there are four existing distinct layers of robust processes of amendment to the University Bye-laws – the University Administration, the University Senate, the University Governing Council and the University Board of Trustees before any amendment to the University Bye-laws can successfully be said to have been carried out.

“However, the Bye-laws also made provisions for initiation, deliberation and approval of any draft amendment at and by the last two layers who are the lawful representatives of the Proprietors of the University – that is the Governing Council currently comprising of forty-four (44) members and the Board of Trustees comprising of nine (9) members.

“The last amendments were lawfully carried out by these two levels in accordance with the provisions of the Bye-laws. How does that translate to an individual in the person of Vice Chancellor, unilaterally carrying out or attempting to carry out the amendments to the University Bye-laws?

“The publication in The People’s Gazette is not only roguish but also a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of the University, sow seeds of discord among the faithful, and cast aspersions on a process that has remained transparent, fair, and beyond reproach.

“Those behind this defamatory act are hereby sternly warned to desist from such destructive behaviour forthwith. Babcock University reserves the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the University and or any of its personnel.

“Should this reckless conduct persist, the University will have no hesitation in pursuing appropriate legal redress to protect its name, the Church, and the individuals so maliciously targeted.

“We also call on all persons including the candidates vying for the office of the President/Vice-Chancellor – and their supporters – to refrain from descending into such condescending and condemnable tactics or antics in matters relating to Babcock University. The sacred process of leadership transition in Babcock University must never be tainted by falsehood, propaganda, or blackmail.

“Finally, we reaffirm to all stakeholders – students, staff, alumni, parents, and the general public – that the ongoing process of appointing the next President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University remains transparent, just, fair, and guided solely by merit and service. The University’s legacy of moral integrity, spiritual depth, and academic excellence will never be compromised.

“Babcock University remains committed to its mission of building servant leaders for Nigeria, Africa, and the world.Thank you,” the University said.