VERITAS UNIVERSITY COMMENCES MOVEMENT TO ABUJA

The sod-turning and official foundation laying ceremony of Veritas University permanent site took place on Thursday, March 1, 2012, bringing high hopes for the movement of the University to the permanent site in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama performed the symbolic sod turning and blessed the land for the construction works to begin in earnest.

Delivering a keynote address at the sod turning event, the CBCN President posited that Catholic education is geared towards the promotion of the common goal and services that are public in nature, thus, Catholic institution is of public interest, and not a private venture.

He noted that catholic schools had been referred to as private schools to distinguish them from government own schools and the term private makes it easier to relegate Catholic schools to the private domain and therefore present it as not aimed at the common goal.

Archbishop Kaigama highlighted the fact that Catholic schools all over the world are known for offering qualitative education and that the distinctive mark of the qualitative education offered by the Catholic schools lies on the all-round education which takes into account the social, political, economic, psychological, spiritual, moral and the physical aspects of the human person.

“By this event of sod-turning, we intend to proclaim the indispensible role of Catholic education in our education system as a nation and proclaim our commitment as a church to offer an integral education to all without discrimination”

The CBCN president called on Nigerians to support the church in providing the integral education that can counter the relativistic tendencies and negative conditions that synthesis destruction of human society.

In his address, the Vice-chancellor of Veritas University, Professor David I. Ker,OON saluted the wisdom, vision, courage, strength, faith, compassion and generosity of CBCN, stressing that establishing and funding the University laid a solid foundation for future posterity.

Professor Ker expressed desire for the University to commence academic activities on the ground of the permanent site in Abuja by the beginning of the 2012/2013 session which calls for the completion of the development of basic physical infrastructure of the site in partnership with private sector actors.

He also expressed the need to develop comprehensive campus municipal services with strategic solutions for water and electricity, staff and student conveniences, car parks and campus security.

Other things that would follow in quick succession include the commencement of Phase 11 of the University’s development with the introduction of College of Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and Education, and the establishment of School of Postgraduate Studies.

The Vice-Chancellor also hinted of plans to introduce new courses along the line of state and national development needs. He said that the courses will include, Environmental Sciences, New Digital Media and Information Sciences, Fine and Visual Arts, Security Studies and Entrepreneurial Studies.

He admonished the Bishops that in keeping with excellence in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love for the university, to see to it that they excel in the grace of giving Veritas on its permanent site in Abuja.

In his remark, the Chairman of Standing Committee on Private Universities, SCOPU, Professor Celestin Onwuliri who represented the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie charged the CBCN to embark on the immediate development of the infrastructures in the site.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of the complete drawings from the architectural, electrical, mechanical and civil works, town planning and land survey to the Chancellor of the University, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan and the Pro-Chancellor, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna who handed the document to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David I. Ker.

The Proprietors of the University, Catholic Bishops and sodality groups of the Church including the Catholic Women Organization and others attended the SOD-turning event.

Other dignitaries that were in attendance were the honourable Minister of Works who was represented by the Director of High ways, North Central, Ihenyen osemeilu, Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor okojie who was represented by the SCOPU and former Vice-chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Celestin Onwuliri, Former Vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Placid Njoku, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Professor Damachie who was represented by Mrs. Enemuwa.

The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Michael Ekpenyong who gave the vote of thanks noted that the Secretariat had looked up to this historic day with eagerness and optimism and thanked all participants for their contributions to the success of the event.