The Chancellor of Covenant University, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Special Convocation Assembly to mark the institution ‘s 18th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday in Ota

Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Bishop David Oyedepo, has charged youths to build their faith in God to overcome life’s challenges and secure a purposeful future.

Mr Oyedepo gave the charge at a Special Convocation Assembly marking the university’s 18th convocation ceremony on Thursday in Ota.

He described ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‍‌‍​​‌⁠⁠⁠‌​life as a battlefield rather than a playground, urging youths to take responsibility for their future rather than leave it to chance.

The cleric said faith was a spiritual force capable of bringing divine intervention, stressing that it was essential to overcoming life’s battles.

According to him, faith is central to the benefits of redemption and grows through hearing and understanding the word of God.

He urged believers to take deliberate steps to strengthen their faith rather than wait for it to grow.

“Don’t wait for your faith to grow, but grow your faith. Build your faith today and it becomes testimony tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Oyedepo stressed that faith was neither a principle nor a strategy, but a spiritual force.

In her opening remarks, the Pro-Chancellor, Faith Oyedepo, said God had guided the university’s growth since its establishment.

She prayed that nothing would frustrate God’s plans for the graduating students, just as nothing had hindered the institution’s growth.

She urged the students to uphold the university’s covenant culture and take responsibility for their lives, noting that no one could run their races for them.

Mrs Oyedepo said the university had maintained its academic calendar since inception, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Anake, expressed gratitude to God for the institution’s sustained growth and global impact.

“We have come to return all glory to God through praising,” he said.

Mr Anake congratulated the graduating students of the 2025/2026 academic session and urged them to remain focused on achieving their goals.

The university’s 18th convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session will hold on October 30. (NAN)