The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Dr Henry Ndukuba on Tuesday 7th January, 2025 officially declared the University on the Niger open for full academic activities describing it as meaningful and historical venture by the Diocese on the Niger.
Primate Ndukuba noted this in his message during the opening service held in the institution’s main auditorium to mark the event after the official opening and dedication of the University.
He commended the Diocesan, the Rt Rev Dr Owen, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, the clergy and the entire parishioners of the diocese for successfully establishing the institution and moving to the permanent site at a very short period.
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 noted that rather than focus on relevant values, the modern educational institutions are driving this generation into irrelevance.
The 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 values.
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.
Earlier, the primate had on arrival commissioned various completed building blocks including the administrative building, hostels, staff quarters, faculty Buildings, internal roads etc cconstructed by groups, churches, families and individuals.
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”, Prof Nebo said.
He remarked, “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 Owen Nwokolo, in his 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 attain its education standard she dreamt about.
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 formal opening ceremony of the university had in attendance dignitaries, captains of industries and politicians 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, Arthur Eze (represented by Archbishop Dr Alex Ibezim), Sir G. U. Okeke, Dr Tim Menakaya, Oyi Local Government Chairman, Chief Emma Nweke and a host of other dignitaries.
More than 20 bishops and archbishops with over 400 clergymen and members of the Diocese attended the ceremony.
The university which was single-handedly established by the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion in Anambra State, is now formally declared open amid ecstatic jubilations among the congregation.
