The Vice-Chancellor of Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State, Prof. Josephat Oguejiofor, has told its 495 matriculating students to work extra hard to meet the institution’s standard.
The VC admitted the matriculants formally at the institution’s campus in Onitsha over the weekend and charged them with good behaviour throughout their academic pursuits at the university.
Oguejiofor, who noted that Shanahan University is anchored on Christianity with particular emphasis on Catholic faith, maintained that true morals, discipline, religion, God fearing and job creation are the hallmarks of the institution.
He disclosed that having started with 19 programmes and having applied to the National Universities Commission for more programmes, the NUC has just graciously given an approval for the university to add five more programmes, including Medicine, Physiology, Anatomy, English Language and Law.
He commended the proprietor and Chancellor of the institution, Dr Valerian Okeke, for approving a 50 per cent cut in tuition fees as scholarship award to all the matriculants and urged the students to reciprocate the gesture by exhibiting good character and hard work while in school.
He said, “Everything that is required to help students excel academically has been put in place. We have a library and multi-media teaching laboratory that are well equipped, coupled with conducive learning environment.
“I pray that at the end of four years, you will make a successful and triumphant exit from this university. I also pray that the investment and efforts of your parents and guardians over the years will not go in vain.
“Importantly, let me remind you that the matriculation oath you took a couple of minutes ago is to be obedient to the VC, and all those in authority. Also, the exercise requires you to conduct yourselves well throughout your stay in this university.”
In his brief remarks, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, described Shanahan University as the only institution in Onitsha, adding that his prayers to have a university in Onitsha during his lifetime have been answered, just as his wish has been fulfilled.
He praised the Chancellor for his foresight in establishing such a quality institution that will not only rank among the best universities in Nigeria but also in Africa, adding that as a lover of education, the Chancellor has succeeded in championing and upgrading the status of all secondary schools owned by the Archdiocese.
Describing education as the best investment one can give to his child, Achebe expressed optimism that the students would come out in flying colours and fill the gap of the current shortage of good leadership in Nigeria, as according to him, the biggest challenge Nigeria has today is “shortage of good leadership.”
Also, the Registrar of the university, Dr Emmanuel Emenu noted that the total number of students on admission list of the institution are 665, but due to delay by some of them in the submitting their documents for processing, 495 students matriculated, while others wait till the next academic session.
In his homily during a Holy Mass to kick-start the matriculation ceremony, the proprietor and Chancellor of the institution, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, charged the matriculants to brace up to the challenges of life, even as he noted that they have commenced their journey to the promised land.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university, Sir Cletus Ibeto said the matriculants are lucky and privileged to be among those who would pass through Shanahan University and urged them to work hard and come out with flying colours.
