Onaiyekan urges govt funding of private varsities

HIS Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has appealed to the Federal Government to fund various private universities in the country.

Onaiyekan, also Chancellor, Veritas University, Abuja (VUNA), made the call Thursday in Abuja while addressing participants at the second and third convocation ceremony of the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 graduands of the institution.

He said although government authorised licensing of private universities in the country, it should do more to support such level of education to form men and women of character and integrity.

Onaiyekan said: “we raise our eyes up to our government, to stretch out to us a much needed hand of fellowship and partnership.

It will be recalled that after years of hesitation, our government finally gave up its monopoly of university education in Nigeria, opening the way for government institutions.

“Although they all go under the general name of private universities; it is to be expected that each one would have its own peculiar vision and character.

“They therefore supplement government efforts not only in providing much needed extra admission spaces, but also in giving Nigerians a variety of choices in university education.

“We appeal to government to give our university access to its facilities for subsidizing tertiary university in Nigeria.

He said that VUNA was  established by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in line with the church principles to pursue truth in all its form. 

 According to him, we are anxious for a sincere dialogue with government on this matter, all in view of making our university more accessible than it is now.

Speaking, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the VUNA said that the institution sought to promote of high standards of teaching and learning to produce quality graduates.

According to him, this is why formation in Catholic moral and social teachings is mainstreamed into academic disciplines and into professional trainings.

He urged the graduands not to leave any stone unturned in pursuance of academic to attain greater heights in life.

Obinna said “as you seek employment or begin to work or move on to further studies with your life; I believe that the seasoned formation you received in VUNA will continue to motivate you to greater achievements.”