In this article, we’ll be looking at the Bowen University Anthem, Lyrics and other information such as the history and facts about the founder.
Bowen University, like every other private and public university, has a school anthem that is recited by students and other staff during special events such as matriculation and convocation.
It’s important for you, as a student at the university, to know your school anthem off hand so that when it’s being sung, you can sing along and not chew your tongue in an attempt to deceive others that you know it.
The Bowen University Anthem lyrics are written down here so you can read them over and over and memorize them. It’s necessary, although not compulsory, to learn it. But can you boast of being a university student without knowing little things about your school, such as its school anthem?
Bowen University Anthem Lyrics
Great Alma Mater,
Bowen University
Excellence and Godliness
Is our esteemed watch ward
Though tongues may differ
In brotherhood, we stand in Christ.
Hail! Alma mater, dear
Great Alma Mater
Bowen University
On Christ’s foundation built
That cannot be shaken.
Others may falter.
Our conviction, which we hold so firm,
Hail! Alma mater, dear
History of Bowen University
Bowen University, Nigeria, was founded on July 17, 2001. The private university is located in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. It’s the first premier Baptist university in Africa, established and approved by the government of Nigeria to provide a well-rounded university education to Nigerians.
Bowen University is controlled or managed by the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The institution was named after the late Reverend Thomas Jefferson Bowen, the American missionary, who pioneered Baptist mission work in Nigeria sometime in 1850.
Bowen, one of Nigeria’s first private universities, started with an initial student population of about 500+ in three faculties: the faculty of agriculture, the faculty of science and science education, and the faculty of social and management sciences.
Undergraduate and master’s degree programs are fully recognized and accredited by the Nigerian Universities Commission and relevant agencies.
The University is known to promote excellence in teaching, learning, and research. Since its inception, Bowen University has grown stronger in research and recorded outstanding performances. The varsity is totally committed to the age-old principles held by the Baptists, which are clearly spelled out in the university’s vision, mission, and philosophy. Bowen University has produced quite a number of notable alumni since its establishment.
Since its existence, the university has been headed by four vice chancellors: Professor Joseph Taiwo Okedara, who was the pioneer vice chancellor from 2001 to July 2003; Professor Timothy Oyebode Olagbemiro from August 2003 to July 2013; and Professor Matthews A. Ojo, who has been at the helm of affairs from August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, a Nigerian soil scientist, currently serves as the 4th substantive vice chancellor of Bowen University. He assumed office on August 1, 2018 and has served to date.
Founder of Bowen University
Bowen University was founded by the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC). In 1854, the major foundation of what has become Bowen University today was laid. The family of the late Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen started a school in Ijaiye Orile, Nigeria. The school, comprised of five stewards of the late Bowens, five other laborers, and a few others drawn to the fledgling school by sheer curiosity, has grown from this little beginning in 1854 into thousands of Baptist primary and secondary schools scattered across the country. By 1960, there was a Baptist school almost everywhere there was a Baptist congregation.
The idea of establishing a Baptist university in the country of Nigeria was first conceived in 1938. This was borne out of the Baptist commitment and need to assist the people in developing their potentials to the brim. The first step towards actualizing the vision was not taken until 1956, when a proposal was presented to the meeting of the Baptist Mission held in Eku from December 11th to 14th, 1956. On July 16 and 17, 1957, the joint meeting of the executive committees of the Baptist Mission of Nigeria and the Nigerian Baptist Convention endorsed the idea. More information available on the school website via bowenuniversity.edu.ng