News Details

16th November, 2025

The Claretian University of Nigeria Maryland Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, marked a major turning point in its history at the weekend as it graduated its first set of students. 

The maiden Convocation ceremony which was held on the university’s serene campus in Maryland Nekede, brought together parents, staff of the University, community leaders, members of the academia and friends of the institution. The Ceremony was filled with excitement, pride, and a sense of accomplishment for the institution and the families involved.

Six among the pioneer graduates, stood out by earning First Class Honours, a feat that drew loud applause from the audience gathered for the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Professor Wenceslaus Madu described the event as gratifying while noting that graduating the first set on schedule was not an easy task for the young institution. He however praised the pioneer students for their resilience, especially the First Class awardees, adding that their success reflects the spirit of hard work and discipline with which the University is known.

The First Class graduates, who received special recognition, were celebrated not only for their academic excellence but also for serving as role models to the students who will follow after them. Their names were met with cheers as each student was called forward to receive commendation from the university’s management.

Parents and guardians also shared in the joy of the occasion, many of them visibly emotional as they watched their children take the historic walk across the stage. Some described the journey as demanding but worthwhile, crediting the university for providing a supportive and morally grounded learning environment.

In her valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Rev. Sr. Mary Natalia Ene Agbochini from the Computer Science department, expressed her deepest appreciation to the eminently qualified management and staff of the Institution for inculcating sound moral, spiritual and intellectual values in them.

Claretian University, founded with an emphasis on holistic education rooted in strong ethical values, used the convocation to restate its commitment to high academic standards. The Vice Chancellor announced plans to expand the University's programmes to include Law, Medicine, and so on. He explained that the University is open to partnerships that will enhance the institution's facilities, and deepen community engagement as it continues to grow. The academic Don expressed his profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Dr. Hope Uzodimma for his continued support to the university.

Earlier in the Pre-Convocation lecture, the Lecturer and former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Rasheed Abubakar Adamu, praised the Vice Chancellor and the management for taking the University to enviable heights by conducting the maiden Convocation Ceremony in record time, unlike other young universities who were licensed at the same time with CUN, still in their second or third years.

Highlights of the occasion included the investiture of the Chancellor of the University, Distinguished Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado, OFR, CON, and His Lordship, the Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Nwobi, Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, as the Chairman of Claretian University of Nigeria Education Foundation, unveiling of the University's newly renovated Library, by the Honorable Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, named after the late Rev. Fr. Prof. Chrysantus Ogbozo, as well as the formal inauguration of the CUN students' Alumni Association.

The newly appointed Chancellor of the University, Distinguished Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado OFR CON, expressed his profound gratitude to the Management of CUN for the appointment. He further commended the Claretian Missionaries for championing academic excellence in Nigeria, while congratulating the graduands for excelling in their different disciplines.

Dignitaries at the occasion included a representative of the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Dr. Hope Uzodimma, the Honorable Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education in Imo State, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, the Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Maurice Iwu, former Acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Mr. Chris Mayaki.

Others dignitaries in attendance were the Superior-General of Claretian Missionaries, Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Vattamattam, CMF, ably represented by the Vicar-General and Chairman, Board of Trustees of CUN, Very Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, the Provincial Superior of Claretian Missionaries, East Nigeria Province, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Nathaniel Eke, CMF, the University's partners from the United States of America and Brazil, the representative of the Traditional Ruler of Nekede Ancient Kingdom, members of the Academia from different Institutions of higher learning across the country, amongst others.

The week-long event ended with a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by the Vicar-General of the Claretian Missionaries, Very Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye. The Priest admonished students to take their spiritual formation seriously as the Chaplaincy serves multiple roles of shaping and moulding their lives in a holistic way.

For Claretian University of Nigeria, the successful graduation of its pioneer students is more than a milestone; it sets the tone for future achievements and reinforces its aspiration to become a leading player in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Mark Irechukwu,
Public Relations Unit, CUN.