Herbert Wigwe University has officially opened and commenced full academic activities at Isiokpo Community in Rivers State. This is coming about eight months after the founder, the late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, lost his life in a plane crash in the United States.

Speaking yesterday during the official opening ceremony of the institution, the university’s acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Marwan Al-Akaidi, said it aims to be the leading university in Africa soon.

Al-Akaidi stated that the university was founded on the principles set forth by its founder, whose legacy inspires a lot of people to ignite Africa’s potential for prosperity, to future thoughtful and fearless leaders.

“Our mission is not just to educate, but to lead a new era of academic excellence in Africa. We will provide a transformative educational experience that equips our students to meet the challenge of the future with confidence and creativity.”

In his speech, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed the hope that the Wigwe University will make a lot of impact in the state and beyond and called on the management to ensure that the dream of the founder does not die.

Fubara, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ovy Obi-Chukwuma, said the state is deeply committed to the development of the university due to the administration’s strong belief in education.

Also, the traditional ruler of the Isiokpo kingdom, King Blessing Wagor, said the people of the kingdom and Ikwerre ethnic nationality were still in tears over the sudden death of the founder of the university.