Sir Paul Chukwuma, the Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University Burundi, has urged the church to uphold its sustainable and quality education in Nigeria. He emphasized that the history of education in Nigeria cannot be effective without acknowledging the significant contributions of the church.
During his visit to the permanent site of Archbishop Shanahan Catholic University in Onitsha, Sir Chukwuma assessed the infrastructure and conducted a primary needs assessment to identify areas for further improvement.
Sir Paul also congratulated the Metropolitan and Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha for undertaking this ambitious project. He highlighted the church’s long-standing commitment to education and its establishment of educational institutions worldwide.
Sir Chukwuma stated, “The Catholic Church’s contributions to the advancement of education are indispensable to human history. In Nigeria, the church played a crucial role in ensuring that a large number of Nigerians received education in record time. I’m delighted that the Onitsha Archdiocese continues the vision of the church’s founding fathers. The church has a significant role to play in our society, as it is not only the gatekeeper of morality but also of education, as morality and education are inseparable.”
“I envision the university growing to become one of the best in the country. I am particularly excited about the university’s medical faculty and state-of-the-art hospital, which will improve accessibility to medical care by enhancing the doctors-to-patient ratio and supporting other healthcare workers. Rest assured, Your Grace, I will continue to support the cause of education in Nigeria through my unwavering support and prayers.”
His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, expressed his gratitude to Sir Chukwuma and his team for their visit. He acknowledged the church’s role in education and shared his dream of transforming Onitsha and its surroundings into an academic environment. He also mentioned that the first 500 students admitted to the school will receive scholarships.
In conclusion, Sir Paul Chukwuma was accompanied to the university by faculty members from Olivia University, Burundi.
The Church: A Critical Partner in Nigeria’s Education Development Sector – Paul Chukwuma
