Peter University, Unique Institution to Offer Solutions, Innovations — Cardinal Okpaleke
By Chuka Nnabuife
SOMEWHERE, remote and serene, in the very sane vast lands of Aguata and Orumba South local councils in Anambra State, a university has budded with enticing ambience for academics and research.
The school, Peter University, located partly in Achina and Onneh communities of Aguata and Orumba South respectively, marked the maiden matriculation of her undergraduates on Friday, April 19.
Over 200 students were formally admitted into the citadel while a commemorative tree, a palm, was planted by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpaleke to mark the event.
The Cardinal and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia who along with the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor is a Co-Proprietor of the varsity was the chief host of the event as well as the chief celebrant of the holy mass used to commence the ceremony.
In his sermon during the holy mass, Cardinal Okpaleke captured the essence of university education in a developing society like Nigeria while dropping hints of why the new university was established.
Beginning the sermon with a recognition of his co-proprietor of the university, Bishop Ezeokafor who was unavoidably absent and donors in the project such as the Catholic Women Organisation, the Catholic Laity Council, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi, who had representatives at the event, he called on Nigerian universities to rise up to the challenge of society’s underdevelopment.
Towards this, he urged them to be keen on use of technology in their learning, research and to be very committed to solving the country’s plethora of problems. He equally asked the universities and their graduates not to stop at finding solutions to existing situations but to dream big dreams, engage in inventions and create enabling environments for robust thinking and research-oriented aspirations of serious seekers of improvement in society.
Okpalaeke stated this while delivering his very incisive homily at the landmark occasion organised by the institution owned by both Awka and Ekwulobia Catholic dioceses.
Commending the new school and congratulating the new students, Okpalaeke ensured the matriculants are aware of where they are and what lies ahead for them and the school authority.
“Universities,” he reasoned, “are places of higher learning, where problems of society are identified, and scholars go into research to find out the solution to such problems.
“That is why universities must prioritise research. In Peter University, we will not just teach you, we will show you what we are teaching you.
“It is not enough to teach students that the book is on the table but (here we) put a book on the table and let them see it.
“The electricity you see today was invented by people. Does it mean that we do not have people in this part of the world that can invent things?”
He assured the gathering of undergrads, scholars, trustees of the university, governing board members, representative of the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, members of traditional institutions of host communities and parents of the undergrads that Peter University will make a bold difference in its faculties and style. He emphasised the school’s mission to give young Nigerians knowledge and opportunities to excel in Nigeria and be celebrated at home.
“I’m sure there are Nigerians who have the requisites to make strong impact here but you only hear of them when they step outside Nigeria. Thanks to a place like this, you do not have to go outside the country for you to shine. That is why we, at Peter University are investing heavily in ICT to bring the world to us.
“We want to give students of Peter University the opportunity to show the whole world what they can do. You will be tutored to identify challenges and to research and find its solution.
“I have found that we, in Nigeria, now outsource our challenges to other people. Our people identify a challenge and they go to China and give them huge resources to find the solution to such challenge.
“Here you will not just acquire certificates, but in addition, you will acquire the competence and ability to provide solutions. The human brain is the greatest raw material from God. Every other natural resources is complementary. If you don’t have the brain to process raw materials, they will be wastes, even if they are flowing in your backyard. Peter
University is here to remind man that we are co-creators with God.”
Speaking in his Matriculation Message, the Vice Chancellor of the university, the Very Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Chukwuemenam Emmanuel Umezinwa emphasised the uniqueness of the university’s educational orientation as well as its steep in contemporary technology and high moral values. Highlighting the school’s uncommon approach, he said: “The vision of Peter University is to be a world-class university renowned for the production of self-reliant globally-competitive graduates with altruistic morals. We will provide knowledge and skills using ICT and apply global best practices by dedicated and research- oriented staff.
“This university is established to uplift the human person created as a manifestation of the glory of God: to lead all to the truth and seek holistic human formation, inculcating the Christian and cultural tenets of honesty, diligence, discipline, love of God and nation.”
A core aspect of Prof. Umezinwa and his workforce’s peculiar approach to academic orientation in Peter University is a zeal to get students acquire several other skills and competences while in school. While giving his address he promised the students that they will graduate with clear evidence of having acquired at least four self-reliant skills.
Dwelling on the accreditation status of the varsity’s academic programs, he said: “Our 24 programs were successful during the resource verification of the Nigeria University Commission (NUC).”
Beyond the environmental uniqueness of the university with its visible promise of offering students and researchers exclusive space, ‘in the middle of nowhere’ for undisturbed studies and research, the Vice Chancellor further pledged that he and his team are making more effort to make the students’ stay in the facility yield rewards.
“We await the visits of some other relevant professional bodies (apart from NUC) to endorse a clear pathway for you my students to aviod any future hitch,” Umezinwa pledged.
