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As Atiku, Obi, govs, senators, others commit N1bn to UNINIGER projects
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev (Dr) Henry Ndukuba, has attributed the failure on basic moral principles of the present age, formerly held jealously by the earlier missionaries and academic institutions, as the bane of modern education in Nigeria.
Primate Ndukuba spoke in Umunya, Anambra State, yesterday in a sermon during a church service marking the open declaration for full academic activities at the University on the Niger (UNINIGER). He regretted that, rather than focus on relevant values, the modern educational institutions and their students have fixed their eyes on things of little or no value.
The university, single-handedly established by the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, in Anambra State, was formally declared open amid jubilations in Anambra.
The Primate lauded Bishop Owen Nwokolo, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers, and the entire parishioners of the Diocese on the Niger for successfully establishing the institution and for improving on what he called “the legacies of the White Missionaries,” which he explained were driven by things of quality value.
He challenged the authorities, staff, and students of the university to endeavour to work cooperatively to achieve the main objectives and values for which the institution was established.
Expressing surprise at the incredible progress so far recorded at the university site, various stakeholders and personalities, in their separate remarks, announced various amounts of money to assist in the completion of the institution.
Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, among other politicians in the country, have reportedly pooled various sums of money to fast-track infrastructural development of the University on the Niger.
Senators, five state governors, in conjunction with other stakeholders across the South-East, are said to be determined to pool N1 billion towards the completion of some ongoing projects at the permanent site of the university.
While Atiku and the five governors were represented by former Minister of Aviation and ex-Corps Marshal, FRSC, Chief Osita Chidioka, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Dr. Tony Nwoye, Dr Tim Menakaya, former Health Minister, and others, they identified with the institution with various sums.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in his two-page address, assured the institution’s commitment to producing graduates “that are morally responsible, nationally relevant, and globally competitive.”
According to him, the philosophical pillars of the institution are hinged on excellence, knowledge, character, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Perhaps the reason, he said, that within less than one year of the university’s existence, it had experienced exponential growth.
“We find ourselves in a position where some of those who started five years before us are just dreaming to attain.
“We believe that no one ever attains excellence using minimum standards. For that reason, our curriculum goes beyond the nationally stipulated minimum guidelines to incorporate dimensions that would help our graduates to be successful in their lifelong pursuits,” he assured.
Earlier in his welcome address, the University Chancellor, Rt Rev Nwokolo, restated the desire of the diocese to provide the public with quality education.
He, however, explained that more was still needed for the diocese to reach the quality of education it dreams about.
According to the bishop, the diocese had made noble structural progress, but the journey was still far ahead.
“From all indications, though many projects have been completed, many more need to be done to give our children and the society the type of quality education we envisage,” he stated.
Appreciating numerous groups and individuals for identifying with the university in various ways, Nwokolo appealed for more financial assistance in order to put the institution on a sound footing.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion were Prince Arthur Eze (represented by Archbishop Alex Ibezim), Chief G.U.O. Okeke, Oyi Local Government Chairman, Chief Emma Nweke, over 20 bishops, 400 Diocese on the Niger priests, parishioners, and a host of others.
The Primate, accompanied by the bishops, had earlier on arrival, commissioned some building blocks completed in the university by churches, groups, and an internal road network constructed in the university courtesy of Senator Nwoye.