By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Reactions, amid prayers, are trailing the lethal attempt on the life of a former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Oyo State, Professor Dapo Asaju, by his close aide.
Professor Asaju, who’s a bishop at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, had narrated how he almost lost his life while he was VC because of his unbending principles and fight against immoralities on ACU campus.
Asaju had recalled the incident while delivering a sermon on Wednesday, June 29 at the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS), Ipaja, Lagos.
He was the guest speaker at the commendation service held for Pastor Oluwafemi Martins, the institution’s provost who transited on May 28.
The former ACU VC, who spoke on the topic, “God does as He Likes” described life as transient.
He said he would have died after going through a five-hour surgical procedures on two occasions, consecutively.
Asaju is a bishop, theologian, and a lecturer at Lagos State University. He is also the Bishop of Ilesha Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
He told the bewildered congregation at the commendation service that his food was poised by a close aide while he was the VC of ACU.
He ate the poisoned food and subsequently landed in the hospital.
Asaju alleged that, not done, his assailants still trailed him to the hospital.
He said the stitches on his body burst and he had to be wheeled back to the theatre for another five-hour of surgical procedures.
“When I was VC of the university, I tried to clean up the system. And they conspired against me because I sent away people who were misbehaving.
“I dismissed cultists and hemp smokers. I wiped out the evil in the place and made the place a Godly center by the grace of God.
“But what did they do? They decided to conspire against me and conspired with a close aide to put poison in my food.
“I brought food from home and put it under the table. And the aide I thought was faithful was used against me.
“They gave the aide money and they put poison in my food.
“Unknown to me, I ate the food and landed at UCH, Ibadan. I went through a five-hour operation.
“Two days after the operation, they saw that I did not die, they came to the hospital to attack me the second time, and all the stitches in my body burst.
“I was taken to the theatre for another procedure for five hours. I saw the other side,” he professor had narrated.
Asaju said the incident had changed his orientation about life.
According to him, “God has blessed me in all modesty. And it occurred to me that if I had died in that hospital my professorship would have terminated.
“My son can’t bear the title. He can’t use my certificate.
“As a bishop in the Anglican Communion, if I die today, it won’t take them more than two weeks to elect another bishop.
“My son can’t inherit my title. It occurred to me that I have to be careful how I lived my life.
“Titles, wealth and other worldly acquisitions are vanities,” he had averred.
Reacting to the post on Facebook, many users lauded the courage of the man of God with some attesting to his Spartan like and courage at sanitizing the citadel of learning.
Damia Ikeagu, one of the commenters, said: “My Son was SUG president during his tenure and many final year students were rusticated because of bad behavior I can confirm. In fact, I was scared for my boy, but thank God he passed out gloriously.”
Another Facebook user, Ajayi Oluwatobiloba, was short of words for Bishop Asaju’s courage at confronting the kingdom of darkness.
“I have nothing to say than just to encourage you to be more Godly and focused, don’t deray in the faith. Never change your principles/standards which you have been known for. God will continue to be at your side,” he prayed.
Nwafor Stephen Ifeanyichukwu, on his part, said “Thank God for your life. His Grace and My LORD Bishop. God will continue to keep you, protect you, and preserve you, especially for the sake of us that your life has been an inspiration to.
“How I wished our powerful, loaded men of God, who have instituted themselves a mini and demi-God can learn from you. sir, remain lifted in Christ Jesus name….”
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