The Vice Chancellor of Claretian University of Nigeria Maryland Nekede, Owerri, Rev. Fr. Professor Wenceslaus Madu, has advised students to imbibe the spirit of responsibility and community service. He gave the advice during a Concelebrated Mass to mark the third year inauguration of the University. The University Don strongly stated that a life without responsibility is evil because it constitutes an abuse of responsibility in any community, which leads to her collapse.
He further advised students to show a great sense of community service, which involves doing something beneficial to others, describing it as the icing in the cake as far as life is concerned. He encouraged them to visit and familiarize themselves with the chapel and Library so that they can achieve their goals maximally which will help them graduate with good grades at the end of the day.
The VC In his official Inauguration Speech shortly before the end of the Mass, explained that it was an annual tradition of CUN to begin the academic year with an inauguration Mass. He informed the congregation that Sunday after 1st February every year, which has now been officially approved by the universal Church to recognize Claretian Martyrs, has been fixed as the official date for the inauguration Mass of CUN. He also said that it will include CUN’s award of prizes to its outstanding students. The Don went on to announce to the audience that the University will be graduating her first set of students in the coming year 2025 in grand style.
He said that eleven functional programs were already ongoing, and by September 2024 the University will commence a research based program in the Agric department. The VC announced that scholarship grants shall be awarded to the first set of students in this program to the jubilation of the congregation. According to him, the program will include: Agric economics, Food Processing, Agro Research, Agric Extension, Agric Communication and Journalism, and Veterinary Studies, amongst others. He implored parents to cease this opportunity to enroll their wards through the ongoing JAMB registration for 2024/2025 Academic Session.
The Vice Chancellor in furtherance of the aim of the school to help students secure their future, announced the establishment of some new directorates, namely: Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). The program is expected to commence once it is approved by NUC in April 2024. Other directorates include, Entrepreneurial Studies and Consultancy Services, as well as Counselling Services.
He further stated that CUN Chaplaincy with the permission of the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, would be upgraded to a status that will administer all the sacraments of the church except ordination. He went on to announce the dissolution of the leadership all the statutory organizations in the Chaplaincy with effect from the end of February 2024. The VC informed the congregation that new leadership of these organizations will be formed to incorporate the students and ensure that they take active participation in the Chaplaincy programs.
The Vice Chancellor finally thanked the faithful and implored them to continually pray for the University. He also stated that CUN in order to continue to provide excellent services was open to partnership in whatever capacity.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Rev. Fr. Dr. Chrysanthus Ogbozo and the Chaplain of the Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Maduike in their separate speeches, thanked the VC for such a wonderful initiative of committing the academic session in the hands of God through the inauguration Mass.
They thanked the management and staff, and implored the students to continue to be studious.
The Students Union Government (SUG) President, Mr. Nnetu Chigozie Hyacinth had earlier in his Address, thanked the Vice Chancellor, the Management and Staff of the University for their support and assistance to students and promised to remain serious and law-abiding students of CUN.
One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of students wearing a prototype of their departmental uniforms, which will come into effect in the coming Semester.
Claretian University of Nigeria now has about 421 students in it’s three years existence.
Mark Irechukwu
Public Relations Unit, CUN.