By: Chidi Yadiba, Onitsha.
Shanahan University, owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha on Saturday, held her first matriculation.
The ceremony took place at the temporary site, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. The school, which was founded by the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, and the Chancellor of the university, attracted notable academicians and people from all walks of life.
In a church service presided over by the Founder of the university, Most Rev. Dr. Okeke, the cleric, advised the matriculants to focus on their journey to the university as well as pursuing excellence in academics as the staff has been prepared to assist them on their academic journey.
Vice-Chancellor of the school, Rev. Fr. Prof. Obi Oguejiofor, in an address at the occasion, said that the event today was a hallmark as it was poised to contribute meaningfully to the development of students and society.
He noted that early university education started from the Cathedral in Bologna, Salamanca, and Paris, adding that today’s event was a reminiscence of the Middle -ages.
Prof. Oguejiofor reminded the audience that the modern university system was anchored on Christianity, specifically on the Catholic Church, which readily afforded the overwhelming demands for educated officials, especially lawyers, clerics, doctors, and schoolmasters.
He promised that the university would help to improve demands for manpower development in Nigeria and beyond.
Obi of Onitsha and Father of the day, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, in a brief speech, promised to assist the university in attaining greater height as the only higher institution located in Onitsha Kingdom.
Board of Trustees Chairman (BOT), Shanahan University, Onitsha, and well-known industrialist, Chief Cletus Ibeto (CON), in a remark, congratulated the new students, Vice-Chancellor Proprietor, staff, and Governing Council of the university. He urged them to count themselves as lucky individuals who are expected to spearhead the success of the institution.
