Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and his Plateau counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang have donated to the completion of permanent site of the University on the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State.
Others donors were Senator Aminu Tambuwal and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, thanked the donors “for prioritising education and expressing the reality that the idea of a university is beyond geography.”
Chidoka, the commencement speaker at the institution’s inaugural matriculation, was appointed by Bishop on the Niger, Rev Owen Nwokolo, as Chairman of the Task Force for the relocation of the University to her permanent site.
Chidoka, who doubles as Chancellor of the Athena Center for Policy and Leadership, called for support to the university by investing in her numerous projects.
He said: You are not just building structures; you are moulding lives, careers and futures.
“As the Chairman of the Task Force, I had invited some of my friends to the event, and some responded. I want to thank the eminent Nigerians for their immediate response despite the suddenness of the invitation.”
Other dignitaries who made donations included former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, Senator representing Anambra North, Tony Nwoye, who contructed road project for accessibility, founder GUO Transport, Chief Godwin Okeke who donated a building, Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, Valentine Ozigbo, Obinna Chidoka, among others.
Declaring the University open, Primate of Anglican Communion, Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba, described the project as meaningful.
He commended the Diocesan Bishop and his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his priests and entire parishioners for successfully establishing the institution.
Peter Obi recalled how he gave the current site to the Diocese and urged the Task Force Chairman to do more.
“Osita, as Chairman of the Task Force, you have done well, but you have more friends than this, so you must raise at least N1bn for the University.”
Bishop Nwokolo thanked members of the diocese and contributors to the university, designed to mould character while imparting knowledge.
