Papal Knights Donate N104m e-library To Veritas University

The Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN), has built and donated an electronic library (e-library) valued at over N104 million to Veritas University, Abuja.

The donation of the library, according to the APKMN, is in line with the objectives for which the association was formed.

Speaking at the inauguration of the e-library at the university, the National President of APKMN, Rt. Hon. Dame Esther Uduehi, said that the donation of the library was to help in imparting great knowledge and research in the University.

She said the decision to embark on the construction of the e-library in Veritas University was influenced by its belief that an e-library is very essential in learning and research.

According to her, “This e-library is therefore a special donation to the Catholic Church and the University and it goes to meet one of the objectives and purposes for which APKMN was formed.

“For some years we had great concern about the association’s ability to fulfill its promise to deliver this project because of the slow pace of the construction and the problem of fund raising. We are happy that in the short time of our existence as a group, we have been able to contribute to this great need of our Catholic University.”

She thanked all those who contributed to make the project a reality and also thanked the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for approving the formation of the association which she said now serves as a platform for all Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria to speak with one voice and contribute to the wellbeing of the church.

Earlier in his speech, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, who was chairman of the occasion, thanked the donors for their magnanimity and prayed that God will continue to bless them.

He pleaded with them not to relent as there are still a lot more work to be done to get the University to the world standard that it was envisaged to be.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, expressed his gratitude for the donation and thanked the Papal Knights and Medalists for their generosity.

While promising that the facility will be put to good use, he appealed for more support.

In his words, “While we congratulate the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists on the completion of this project, we also want to make further request to you not only as an association, but also as individuals with means.

“Our most pressing needs include, the building of the main library of the university, the faculty of engineering and computing science building, the faculty of Nursing sciences building, the school of post graduate studies building and students centre.”

The chairman, Governing Council of the University and Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his remark, also thanked the Papal Knights and Medalists for the support to the university.

He said the University has already distinguished itself as a leading university in Africa. According to him, “Veritas University recently emerged as the best debating university in Africa and is to represent Africa in the global competition.”

He appealed for more support to enable the university to maintain the high standard it has set for itself.

The event was attended by eminent personalities, including the chairman of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.