By Juliana Nwachukwu /Anakor Nkiru/Ngozi Okoli
The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, Senators, Governors among other politicians in the country, have donated various sums of money to fast track the infrastructural development of the University on the Niger (UNINIGER), Umunya.
They had in conjunction with other stakeholders across South-East determined to pool N1billion towards the completion of some on-going projects at the permanent site of the university in Umunya.
The stakeholders whose resolve was declared at the formal opening of the university marvelled at the degree of progress so far recorded at the university site. Taking turns to speak at the unveiling of the university permanent site, they announced various amounts of money to assist the completion of the institution.
Alhaji Atiku and the five state governors were represented by the former Minister of Aviation and Ex-Corps Marshal, FRSC, Chief Osita Chidioka, while Senator Dr Tony Nwoye, Senator Victor Umeh, Dr Tim Menakaya and others on their own identified with the institution with various sums.
The university which was single-handedly established by the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion in Anambra State, was formally declared open amid ecstatic jubilations among Anambrarians.
The Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba who officially declared the university open for full academic activities described it as meaningful venture and had in the 25 minutes sermon he said during a church service held in the institution's main auditorium to mark the event, commended the Diocesan, the Rt Rev Dr Owen, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers and the entire parishioners of the diocese for successfully establishing the institution.
He regretted that the bane of the modern education was the failure of some basic moral principles of the present age which he said were jealously held by earlier academic institutions and was worried that rather than focus on relevant values, the modern educational institutions and their students instead fixed their eyes on things of little or no value.
Most Rev Dr Ndukuba therefore lauded Bishop Nwokolo and the entire Diocese on the Niger 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.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, the Very Rev. Prof. Chinedu Nebo, assured that the school was committed 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, 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 go beyond the nationally stipulated minimum guidelines to incorporate dimensions that would help our graduates to be successful in their lifelong pursuits.
The Chancellor of the university, the Rt Rev Dr Nwokolo, had in welcome address restated the desire of the diocese to give the public quality education. He however explained that more were still needed for the diocese to get to the qualify of education she dreamt about.
"The diocese had done noble but that 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 appreciated numerous groups and individuals who he said had identified with the university in various ways and appealed for more financial assistance in order to put the institution on a sound footing.
Earlier, the primate had on arrival commissioned various completed building blocks constructed by groups, churches and individuals and a road network built by Senator Dr Tony Nwoye.
Other Dignitaries at the event were Sir Godwin Okeke, GUO, Arthur Eze (represented by Archbishop Dr Alex Ibezim), Dr Tim Menakaya, Oyi Local Government Chairman, Chief Emma Nweke, More than 20 bishops and over 400 Diocese on the Niger priests, parishioners and others.
* Nwachukwu, Anakor and Okoli are of the Ministry of Information , Anambra State *.
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