UNIVERSITY ON THE NIGER SET TO COMMENCE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES JANUARY 7, 2025, ORDAINS 4 DEACONS
By Mokwugwo Ogochukwu/Achukwu-Jide Kelechi/Nwegbo Ifeanyi :
The University on the Niger (UNINIGER), Umunya, Anambra State, is set to commence academic activities on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. This milestone follows the institution’s receipt of a take-off license from the Federal Government in 2023.
Chancellor of the university and Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, announced the official opening date during the diaconate ordination of four ministers at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. The four ordained deacons were:
Rev Nonso Stanley Anene, Rev Amos Onwe Nkwoeze, Rev Chinedu Samuel Obi and Rev Lotanna Uchechukwu Unegbu.
“The university is one on a fast lane, the institution had since operated in Onitsha at Iyi-Enu Teaching Hospital but from January 7 2025, some of the faculties and departments of the university would move to its Umunya permanent and administrative headquarters.
“The Iyi-Enu Teaching Hospital is a permanent campus of the university, not all departments or faculties will move to Umunya because there are faculties that will remain at Iyi-Enu,” he emphasised.
According to bishop, the official opening of the permanent site of the university at Umunya will be presided by the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, in the company of some federal and state government functionaries. He added that the event would coincide with the coming of all bishops to the diocese for their annual retreat which he said would hold between January 7, through 11, 2025.
Bishop Nwokolo, while ordaining new deacons, reminded them of their responsibilities and privileges. He emphasized their role in serving the Church, ministering to the needy, and preaching the word.
Ven. Angus Umeh, in his sermon, urged the newly ordained deacons to be faithful servants of God. He stressed the importance of selfless management of resources, transparency, and accountability. Umeh also appealed to the deacons to respect God and humanity, and to prioritize prayer for their flock.
* Mokwugwo, Achukwu-Jide and Nwegbo are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *