PREAMBLE

The formation of Nasrul-Lahi-il-Fathi Society "NASFAT” (sponsor of Fountain University) was originally focused on prayer meeting for the Muslim elite, with a view to creating necessary opportunity for them to rub minds with Islamic scholars on the one hand; and to enhance their knowledge about the principles and practices of Islam; on the other hand.

The first prayer meeting, which officially signified the birth of this great society, took place on Sunday 5^th of March 1995.

The impressive conduct of the Asalatu (prayer session) and the subsequent ones, led to the unprecedented growth of the Society.  Thus, membership which began on a modest note with a few inspired minds, has grown geometrically over the last nine years to over 180 branches and one million members, home and abroad.

Meanwhile, the guiding principle behind the formation of NASFAT is the Quranic passage, which reads thus: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil.  And it is they who are successful” (Qur’an 3:104), hence the emphasis on Islamic brotherhood, and the pursuit of knowledge for the promotion of universal understanding and goodwill.

EDUCATION VENTURE

Although, it was not the intention of the society to own a school, be it Nursery/Primary, Secondary School or tertiary institution, when it was   established, recent events have made it almost mandatory to urgently establish educational institutions.  Some of the events necessitating the establishment of educational institutions are:

• The Mission statement of the society, which is to develop an enlightened Muslim society nurtured by a true understanding of Islam for the spiritual upliftment and welfare of mankind
• The effect which the recent return of schools by some state governments to the missionaries will have on Muslims
• The need to sustain and even deepen Islam among Muslims in a bid to create awareness and an enabling environment to showcase the beauty of Islam to all and sundry in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria

It is, therefore, not surprising that the society developed an Education Strategy during the NASFAT strategic retreat held at Akodo, Lagos State, in the first quarter of year 2000 where strategic plans for education were unfolded.

The objective was to promote education, be it Islamic or western.  This is in total obedience to Allah’s injunction as contained in Chapter 96 verses 1-5 of the Qur’an and prophetic tradition, which command Muslims to search for knowledge as far as China.  NASFAT as a society believes in a sound soul within a sound body.  Education has a pivotal role to play in realizing this laudable objective.  As a result, the Society plans to invest heavily in the educational development of young Muslims, who are leaders of tomorrow.  In fact, the society has established Nursery and Primary Schools in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Niger States while it is in the process of establishing Secondary schools in Ondo and Kwara states.  It intends to establish additional Nursery/Primary Schools as well as Secondary Schools throughout the Federation.  A University is, therefore, an imperative and logical step forward in channeling the products of these schools and other schools nation-wide into private Universities to complement the efforts of Federal and State Universities.

THE PLAN FOR A UNIVERSITY

As a follow-up to the strategic retreat, two members of the Strategic Committee, in persons of Dr. Muhammed Oladoja and late Bro. Abdul-Yekeen Adesina prepared an outline for the Academic Brief. 

UNIVERSITY PROJECT COMMITTEE

Thereafter, a full fledge committee was set-up named University Project Committee under the Chairman of National Education Secretary, Bro. Luqman Adedeji who is a lecturer at University of Lagos, Akoka.  Membership of the committee was broad based, as members were drawn from various committees.  The list of members are:

1. Dr. Lukman Adedeji (Chairman)
2. Dr. Mohammad Oladoja
3. Dr. M.A Abayomi
4. Engineer Mohammad Abdullah
5. Alhaji M.G.B Oduyoye
6. Alhaji Yusuff Abdul-Rahaman
7. Hajia R.M Bashir
8. Hajia Sekinat Yusuf
9. Barrister (Mrs) Mariam Olaniyi
10. Bro. Kabeer  Alaraba  (Secretary)

Realising the magnitude of the task, the following members of the National Executive  Council of the Society were later asked to join the committee:

1. Architect Mikahil Oyewole
2. Alhaji Samsudeen Afukun
3. Barrister Teslim Olawuyi
4. Hajia Afsat .M.  Bello
5. Brother Niyi  Abdulmumini  Yusuf

Through its structural machinery, by 2003, NASFAT succeeded in:

a)  Securing a 105-hectares of land in Osogbo donated by the Osogbo community

b)  Obtaining registration form from the National Universities Commission

c)  Commenced the appointment modalities for engaging master planners

THE ACADEMIC BRIEF  REVIEW SUMMIT

Between January 4^th and 9^th 2004, the University Project Committee successfully orrganised the Academic Brief Review Summit at Centre for Management Development, Shangisa, Lagos, with Professor Nuruden Adedipe as the Chairman.  The cream of participant at the five days residential summit was a testimony to the wide acceptability of the Society’s proposal to have a  private University.

PARTICIPANTS AT THE ACADEMIC BRIEF SUMMIT

The participants at the Summit include the following;

The participants were joined by NASFAT professionals and were actively involved in the decisions taken during different sessions.

At the end of the Summit, the Chairman submitted his report, which was forwarded to the National Executive Council of the Society, through the University Project Committee, the organizers of the Summit.

1     KEY FEATURES OF THE UNIVERSITY

The Summit, after exhaustive discussions, advised as follows:

1.1   NAME: That the University should be known as FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY

1.2    LOGO: the logo meant for the name in 4.1 above, mainly featuring a fountain and a book, with design appurtenances

1.3    MOTTO: FAITH, KNOWLEDGE and SERVICE.

1.4    VISION: Fountain University is established to be a pace-setting institution in terms of learning, character building and service to humanity.

1.5   MISSION: the mission of Foundation University is to produce competent and resourceful graduates with high moral standards.

1.6  PHILOSOPHY: The philosophy of Fountain University is the total development of men and women with a blend of an enabling environment through appropriate teaching, research and service to humanity, influenced by Islamic ethics and culture.

1.7 OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the University are:

(i)                 To provide opportunity of acquiring university education to all people without discrimination as to creed, colour, nationality, race, gender or political persuasion.

(ii)               To promote by research, seminars, conferences, workshops, and the like, the advancement of knowledge and practical application to human problems in all its facets.

(iii)              To stimulate interest in the acquisition and cultivation of Islamic ethics and culture.

(iv)            To provide innovative educational programmes of high standard relevant to the needs of the society.

(v)              To promote acquisition of knowledge through international collaboration.

(vi)            To undertake other activities appropriate for a university of high repute.

1.8  STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING STATED OBJECTIVES: The 10 strategies for achieving the objectives are as follows:

(i)                 Acquisition of appropriate site, development of Academic Brief, Physical Brief and Masterplan, towards the provision of super-structures and infrastructures that would facilitate academic work.

(ii)               Provision of modern facilities such as auditoria, lecture theatres and rooms, laboratories, libraries, workshops, studios, field equipment and places of worship.

(iii)             Establishment of a governance and management structure that is result-oriented, and cost-effective.

(iv)             Recruitment, on a competitive and transparent basis, of such types and cadre of staff that are in consonance with multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches to the interactions among and between teaching, research and service arms of the university.

(v)               Conduct of examinations on courses taught, grant and confirmation of degrees, diplomas and certificates as well as and other academic titles and distinctions including honorary degrees to those who have satisfied the requirements.

(vi)             Charging students such reasonable types and levels of fees as would ensure high quality education.

(vii)           Acceptance of gifts, donations and benefactions as well as management of movable and immovable properties of the university as deemed necessary or appropriate, as well as patenting and commercializing research findings and products.

(viii)         Collaboration and networking with national and international institutions as well as engaging in effective partnership with the private sector of the Nigerian economy.

(ix)             Award of scholarships, fellowships and bursaries to students to promote scholarship through a dedicated research grant scheme and to institute a staff development programme.

(x)               Promotion of mutual understanding, respect and peaceful co-existence within the community and, by extension, the society at large.

2     ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY: KEY ORGANS AND OFFICIALS.

2.1 VISITOR: The Visitor shall be the Chairman Board of Trustees of NASFAT.

2.2 CHANCELLOR: The chancellor shall be chosen on personal recognition of experience, skill and high integrity. The selection shall be by a tripartite  Committee composed of:

 2 representatives of each of the  National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and Council of Elders (C of E) chaired by the  Chairman of Board of Trustees.

2.3  FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY BOARD of TRUSTEES

       The University Board of Trustees shall be composed of:

(i)                 Four external (non-NASFAT) persons of high integrity and societal influence, including at least one female.

(ii)               Two representatives of the  NASFAT Council of Elders

(iii)              Two representatives of NASFAT Board of Trustees.

(iv)            Two representatives of NASFAT National Executive Council.

Chairman to be selected on the basis of an open system of personal cognizance, by the Joint consultative Forum of NASFAT (Council of Elders, Board Of Trustees, National Executive Council).

 GOVERNING COUNCIL

The Governing Council shall be composed of:

(i)          Four members representing NASFAT interest, including at least  one female.

(ii)        Four members of Senate including at least one female.

(iii)      Three External members on personal recognition including at  least one female

(iv)      Two representatives of Congregation

(v)       One representative of Convocation/Alumni Association

(vi)      Vice-Chancellor

(vii)           Deputy Vice-Chancellor(s)

(viii)         One representative of the NUC

(ix) Registrar  as Secretary to Council;

(x)         In attendance: Bursar.

The Governing Council and its chairman (who shall be a person of high integrity and renowned for management competence), shall be appointed by NASFAT BOT, on the recommendation of NASFAT NEC.

SENATE:

Senate shall be composed of :

(i)         Vice-Chancellor (Chairman)

(ii)       Deputy-Vice Chancellor(s)

(iii)     University Librarian

(iv)     Dean of Colleges

(v)       Heads of Departments

(vi)      Directors of Institutes

(vii)         Three representatives of each Colleges, two of whom shall be   Professors not holding any administrative position

(viii)       Four representatives of Congregation

(ix)      Registrar and Secretary to Senate.

COLLEGES

There will be 6 Colleges in phases as follows:

1. Phase I (0-2 years)

(i)       College of Natural and Applied Sciences

(ii)     College of Management and Social Sciences

1. Phase II (3-5 years)

(iii)   College of Education

(iv)   College of Art

1. Phase III (6-7 years)

(v)     College of Engineering, Technology and Environmental Studies

(vi)   College of Health Sciences

UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Planning Committee for the proposed FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY is composed of the following:

1.                  Professor O.K. Alausa – Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu (Chairman)

2.                  Professor Fola Lasisi – Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

3.                  Professor Abdul-Fatai Egberongbe – University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos

4.                  Professor T.G. Gbadamosi – University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos

5.                  Professor M.A. Rahaman – Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

6.                  Professor A.M.A. Ninalowo – University of Lagos, Akoka,  Lagos

7.                  Professor K.A. Adegoke – University of Lagos, Akoka,  Lagos

8.                  Professor A. Zubahir – University of Ilorin, Ilorin

9.                  Professor S.A. Balogun – University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos

10.             Dr. (Mrs.) Fatimah Abdul-Kareem - University of Lagos Teaching Hospital

11.             Architect Hafiz Akiode - Director of Physical Development and Management, University of Abuja,

12.             Dr. Mohammad Oladoja - Olabisi Onabanjo  University, Ago-Iwoye

13.             Alhaji Abdulahi Akinbode – NASFAT

14.             Dr. Lukman Adedeji – NASFAT

15.             Hajia R.M. Bashir – NASFAT

16.             Barrister Mariam Olaniyi – NASFAT

17.             Bro. Kabeer Alaraba – NASFAT

18.             The Representative of the National Executive Council

19.             The Representative of Council of Elders

20.             The Representative of Board of Trustees

UNIVERSITY TAKE-OFF CAMPUS

The proposed University is taking off from a temporary site situated within the 250 hectares of land that makes up the permanent site of the University.

The 250 hectares is composed of 110 Hectares of land and farm structures donated by the Osun State Government and 140 Hectares donated by the Osogbo Community.

The Take-off Campus, which include inherited buildings of Muslim Grammar School Osogbo, has been fully transformed with the following structures now in place:

• Vice Chancellor’s office
• Registry
• Bursary
• ICT Building and Cyber Cafe
• University Library
• Building for the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• Building for the College of Management and Social Sciences
• Lecture rooms for both colleges
• Laboratories for Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Renewable Energy
• Multipurpose Hall/Mosque
• Works and Maintenance
• Pipe-borne Water
• Eletricity
• University Quadrangle

CONCLUSION

As NASFAT marches on with the management of the FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY with admirable consensus-building among all stakeholders and general members buttressed with a committed University Management team, the Fountain University is out to make waves in the Nigerian University Systems. To enable it meet the challenges of its vision and goal, NASFAT deserves the support of all, and welcomes, with stretched hands, universal fellowship in its widest ramifications.