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.