Atiku, Obi, Govs, Senators target N1bn for UNINIGER perm site devt
Presidential Candidate of the Peoples 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 poolled various sums of money to fast track infrastructural development of the University on the Niger (UNINIGER), Umunya.
Senators, five state governors in conjunction with other stakeholders across South-East determined to pool #1billion towards the completion of some on-going projects at the permanent site of the university.
The stakeholders whose resolve was declared Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the formal opening of the university marvelled at the incredible progress so far recorded at the university site.
Speaking at the unveiling of the university permanent site, they announced various amounts of money to assist the completion of the institution.
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 Hearth minister 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.
He 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, Rt Rev Dr Owen, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers and the entire parishioners of the diocese for successfully establishing the institution.
The primate regretted that the bane of the modern education was the failure of some basic moral principles of the present age which he said were jealousy held by earlier academic institutions.
He 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.
The Primate however 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.
Vice Chancellor of the university, the Very Rev. Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in his two page address he read at the occasion,
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,” he assured.
Also, the Chancellor of the university, the Rt Rev Dr Nwokolo, had in his three-page 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.
Structurally the bishop said that the diocese had done noble but that the journey was still far ahead.
He said, “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.”
Bishop Nwokolo 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.
The event attracted the cream of who-is-who in Anambra State and beyond among who were, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the last general elections, Mr Peter Obi, former Minister of Aviation and Ex – Corps Marshal, FRSC, Chief Osita Chidioka, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Dr. Tony Nwoye, Prince Dr. Arthur Eze,( Ozoigbondu) (represented by Archbishop Dr Alex Ibezim), Sir G.U.O. Okeke, Dr Tim Menakaya, former Health Minister , Oyi Local Government Chairman, Chief Emma Nweke and and host of other dignitaries.
More than 20 bishops and over 400 Diocese on the Niger priests and parishioners attended the opening ceremony.
The Primate accompanied by the Bishops had earlier on arrival commissioned some building blocks completed in the university by churches, groups and internal road network constructed in the university by Senator Tony Nwoye, as his contribution towards the development of the institution.
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