The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, were among key political heavyweights in the country, who Wednesday afternoon contributed graciously large sums of money to fast track infrastructural development of the University on the Niger (UNINIGER), Umunya, Oyi Council of Anambra State

Also, Senators and no fewer than five state governors along with other stakeholders across South-East and Nigeria determined to pool N1billion towards the completion of some ongoing strategic projects at the permanent site of the young university.

Established by the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion in Anambra State, the university was formally declared open amid jubilation, and tumultuous excitement among the citizens, guests, and the academic.

Expressing surprise at the extensive progress so far recorded at the university’s permanent site at Umunya, the stakeholders, announced various amounts of money to assist in the completion of the institution to attain a world-class level and status.

Atiku and the five governors represented by the former Minister of Aviation and Ex Corps Marshal, FRSC, Chief Osita Chidoka; Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Dr. Tony Nwoye, Dr Tim Menakaya, former Minister of Health, and others on their own identified with the institution with various sums.

Declaring the university open for full academic activities, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba described it as a meaningful venture.

In his sermon during the church service held in the institution’s main auditorium to mark the event, the Primate commended the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers and the entire parishioners of the diocese for successfully establishing the institution.

He regretted that the bane of modern education was the failure of some basic moral principles of the present age which he said were jealousy held by earlier academic institutions.

“Rather than focus on relevant values, the modern educational institutions and their students fixed their eyes on things of little or no value,” he lamented.

The Primate lauded Bishop Nwokolo and the Diocese on the Niger for improving on what he called “the legacies of the White Missionaries” which he explained were driven by things of quality and value.

He challenged the authorities, staff, and students of the university to endeavour to work cooperatively to achieve the main objectives and values for which the institution was established.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, the Very Rev. Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in his address, assured of the institution’s commitment to producing graduates “that are morally responsible, nationally relevant and globally competitive”.

According to him, the philosophical pillars of the institution are hinged on excellence, knowledge, character, leadership and entrepreneurship, perhaps the reason, he said that within less than one year of the university, it had experienced exponential growth.

“We find ourselves in a position where some of those who started five years before us are just dreaming to attain.

“We believe that no one ever attains excellence using minimum standards. For that reason, our curriculum go beyond the nationally stipulated minimum guidelines to incorporate dimensions that would help our graduates be successful in their lifelong pursuits.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the University Chancellor, Rt Rev Dr Nwokolo restated the desire of the diocese to give the society quality education.

He, however, explained that more was still needed for the diocese to attain the quality of education she dreamt about.

According to the bishop, the diocese had done nobly structurally, but the journey was still far ahead.

“From all indications, though many projects have been completed, many more need to be done to give our children and the society the type of quality education we envisage,” he stated.

Appreciating numerous groups and individuals for identifying with the university in various ways, Nwokolo appealed for more financial assistance to put the institution on a sound footing.

Other dignitaries present at the occasion were Prince Dr. Arthur Eze (represented by Archbishop Dr Alex Ibezim), Sir G.U.O. Okeke, Oyi Local Government Chairman, Chief Emma Nweke, over 20 bishops and 400 Diocese on the Niger priests, parishioners and host of others.

The Primate, accompanied by the Bishops had earlier on arrival, commissioned some building blocks completed in the university by churches, groups, and an internal road network constructed in the university by Senator Nwoye.