Gunmen attack FUTO students

A gang of about six to eight men Thursday invaded  the postgraduate/ scholarship hostel of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and robbed the students.

Among the items collected by the hoodlums were laptops, phones and money.

The matter was immediately reported to the school authorities and to the police Division, Nekede. However, as of the time of filing this report, the shool management is yet to respond.

UNIVERSITIES, BEDROCK OF ECONOMIC GROWTH

Commissioner for Information and Communications Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, representing Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi at the first convocation Lectures  Veritas University Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has described universities as the bedrock of economic change. The Governor who was represented by Commissioner for Information and Communications Mrs. Ibim Semenitari made this statement recently while delivering a Convocation Lecture, titled “ANCHORS OF CHANGE”, at the first convocation ceremony for the award of First Degrees, at the Veritas University Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State.

According to him “universities are unique organizations which are the only institutions with scale and local connectedness to drive economic growth and shape the destiny of nations and their people. Amaechi noted that, besides the grooming of men and women in character and learning, universities provide the avenue for discourse and innovation, adding “for us in Nigeria, our universities laid the bedrock first for our independence and then our democracy. Great nationalists like Chief Abafemi Awolowo the great Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Africa amongst others became bastions of democracy because of their university education” she cited. He stressed that, as anchor institutions, colleges and universities can connect knowledge to action to produce social change while educating the next diverse generation of civically engaged talent.

The Governor said, “as the financial support structures that drive local economies and influence development in societies like ours appears to whittle down, the role of universities as anchors becomes more important.”  The Governor also insisted that as we face eroding values in a situation, where all our institutions including the most revered of them appear to be failing us, our universities must become a place of refuge where truth will be allowed to roam free and ideas compete for space without any shackles.

VUNA TO EXPAND PROGRAMME BASE

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the Visitor to Veritas University, His grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama has called on the university to expand its current programme base to meet the needs and yearnings of the church and Nigerian people.

He made the call in an address he presented on the occasion of the first Convocation ceremony of the University held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the take off campus, Obehie, Abia State.

Most Rev. Kaigama who is also the Archbishop of Jos Archdiocese stated that the Church would want to see greater interaction and engagement between VUNA and the catholic Institute of West Africa especially in the establishment of Theology programme soon.

He also requested the University Management to seek to commence the following centres as contained in the Academic Brief of the University in order address prevailing challenges in Nigeria and the world:

·        Centre for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

·        Centre for Human Settlement Studies

·        Centre for Disaster preparedness and Reduction

The President of the CBCN who are proprietors of VUNA, also charged the management, staff and students of the University to remain focused and committed to academic excellence such that VUNA graduates are able to distinguish themselves in various fields of endeavours and so, contribute to the common good of all Nigerians.

He also charged the University to remain committed to continuous research, quest for truth, and the creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge for the good of the society (Ex Corde Ecclesiae no. 30), carry out teaching and other activities in accordance with Catholic ideals, principles and ethics while respecting the freedom of conscience of each person

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Michael kwanashie explained that the University had planned to increase the number of Colleges and academic programmes in next academic year to broaden the choices available to prospective candidates seeking admission into the university.

“Veritas University can pride itself in the quality of its students and teaching staff. The proprietor insists on the highest standard of teaching and research and encourages management to motivate staff for best performance.”

However, the Chancellor, John Cardinal Onaiyekan confirmed the Vice-Chancellor’s assertion in a chat with the press  saying that the university had produced 59 well trained young men and that time will proof that materials from VUNA are top quality materials.

His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan further stated that all the students that passed through Veritas University got top level attention, pointing out that you have a Professor teaching about five students, giving them the best.

In his goodwill message at the Convocation, the Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Julius A. Okojie acknowledged efforts of the University towards providing students with a combination of academic and spiritual training, thereby impacting positively on the larger Nigerian society in line with the dreams of the founders.

Professor Okojie encouraged the first set of graduates to be worthy ambassadors wherever they find themselves. He also promised that the NUC will continue to provide the needed guidance in Quality Assurance and Governance to enable the university excel and become globally competitive.

The Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore A. Orji who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mkpa A. Mkpa congratulated the Visitor to the University, Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the entire management of the University for producing the first graduates of the University.

He expressed joy in seeing the first fruit of the university doing very well in academics, and attributing the wonderful performance of the students to a great job the institution had done.

“I see a profound future, hope for the institution, the lecturers worked assiduously, the students are well trained, the school had done its best” Professor remarked.

VUNA holds first Convocation …Produces 6 first class graduates

The Chancellor, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan shaking hands with the overall best student,Fakorede, Bisola Esther

Pioneer graduates

It was a significant milestone in the history of Veritas University Abuja, the Catholic University of Nigeria as the Convocation ceremony for the award of first degrees and prizes to the pioneer students held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the take-off campus in Obehie Ukwa West Local Government, Abia State.

The event started on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 with a convocation lecture delivered by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sir, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, the Governor of Rivers State who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari.

Delivering the lecture titled ‘Universities as anchor of changes and social transformation’ Governor Amaechi noted that the University which is an agent of transformation and modernization has changed the face of the community which was hitherto, a forest.

After the Convocation lecture, a Eucharistic celebration was held in the University Chaplaincy and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), and the Visitor to the University, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama was the Chief celebrant and assisted by the Chancellor, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Pro-Chancellor, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, and other Bishops.

In his homily, the Most Rev. Dr. Kaigama who is also the Catholic Archbishop of Jos charged the students not to forget God in whatever they are doing in life, pointing out that the fear of God is the highest form of education and that education involves the overall development of an individual.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of Bachelor degrees to the 59 graduates where six of the graduates had a first class, 38 had second class upper, while 15 had second class lower.

The Chancellor, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who conferred the degree on the graduates noted that the graduates had passed through holistic development and formation in line with Catholic doctrines and Principles.

“You have learnt to value the robustness and richness of Catholic university education. You are ready and willing to endure sacrifices in order to make a difference wherever you may find yourself”

 He congratulated the graduates for keeping the faith and having been found worthy to fly the colours of the Catholic University of Nigeria as its pioneer graduates.

John Cardinal Onaiyekan noted that the modest achievements so far made by the University since its inception in 2008 was a clear indication that the CBCN had achieved the mission, goals and objectives for which the university was set up.

He therefore called on well meaning Catholics, public spirited individuals, and corporate bodies to support the efforts of the CBCN, saying that it is only through such support that the Catholic Church can intervene in the provision of quality education at the tertiary level.

“Already with 100 percent accreditation result and with the positive reports about our first set of graduates who are currently undergoing their National Youth Service Corps programme, I am very hopeful that a great Catholic university is growing in Nigeria.”

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, the Archbishop of Owerri remarked that Veritas University was established to fulfil a need for a distinctly Catholic University which will not only provide quality education but will also provide Catholic formation and advance human and cultural knowledge through teaching and research.

“We are building a university that grapples with contemporary human, social, economic, political, ecological and religious problems of the Nigerian society and the wider human community, drawing from the rich and diverse cultures of the Nigeria peoples and global community”

He noted that the university aims to be the apex of Catholic Education in Nigeria, saying that although there are temporary challenges, the university will continue to drive towards the noble ideals it had set for itself.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Kwanashie who was equally elated by the first convocation of the university, urged the graduating students to be ambassadors of the institution and let the impact of their formation show in the world of work, in their communities and in the country as a whole.

“We note that our country and humanity require a new breed of leaders that would subject themselves to the will of God and serve their neighbours with open hearts and mind and with the love of God”

The Vice-Chancellor stated that the formation of the graduates at Veritas University was to create in them the seed of such leadership qualities and motivate them towards actions in the cause of justice in the world.

He remarked that Nigeria needs men and women of courage, who will speak out, and act in the light of the truth as the country tries to transform itself and build peace, and that Veritas University tries to inspire the graduates to become agents of change in a troubled world.

Professor Kwanashie also emphasised the imperativeness of moral education within the context of our current education system and flayed the gradual decline in the moral tone and in character building which has become one of the most disturbing aspects of most of our institutions of higher learning.

He also highlighted that Veritas University aims to be the apex or zenith point of Catholic Education in Nigeria, noting that there were a number of Catholic universities in Nigeria but Veritas owned by the entire Church through all Catholic bishops reflects the unity of the church and the drive to extol the ones of our faith in a heterogeneous environment.

Also, the graduates and their parents expressed delight that they had the opportunity of being part of the academic revolution which Veritas university, the Catholic University of Nigeria is championing in Nigeria.

Mrs Fidelia Akusu, one of the parents noted that noted that Veritas University is a place you can send your child and your mind will be at rest because of the moral training and the kind of protection that is available in the campus.

She expressed joy that they sent their child to Veritas University and he had not only passed through academic training, but through sound moral training.

One of the pioneer graduates of Veritas University, Miss Okorie Pelagie Ijeoma who was highly elated, declared that the Management had made them proud by keeping to their words that they will not disappoint the students.

“I am leaving with fulfilment; the University gave me what we asked for and as they promised. I thank God for the University; I appreciate all the Bishops that made this place conducive for us”

Miss Okorie noted that the graduates practically sat down and read to make their grades and that they can defend their result at any place they go.

She further stated that Veritas University is one of the universities that would compete with American universities and meet international standard to produce better graduates to face tomorrow and help the country.

Among the dignitaries that attended the first convocation ceremony of the University were the governor of Niger State, Alhaji Aliyu Muazu Babangida who was represented by a delegation led by the Honourable Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Dr. M. B. Nuhu, the governor of Abia State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mkpa A. Mkpa, former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara and others.