By Ononye V C
There was an atmosphere of joy and celebration at the permanent site of the Shanahan University Onitsha,on Monday as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Reverend Valerian Okeke commissioned a multi-million Naira canteen donated by Tiger Foods,Limited Onitsha.
Tiger foods Limited is a renowned private institution which produces various popular brands of foods and beverages.
While blessing and commissioning the building,the Archbishop commended the donor and Chief Executive Officer of the company Mr Don Ebubeogu,his brother Mr Celestine Ebubeogu,members of his family,organisation and all those who shared interest in the project to make it a success.
The Archbishop prayed for God’s abundant blessings on the Ebubeogu family asking Him to replenish their pockets many fold.
In his remarks,Mr Don Ebubeogu said erection and donation of the canteen was his own little way of giving back to the society and supporting Archbishop Valerian Okeke in his vision and drive to erect the Shanahan University Onitsha to empower the youths with quality education and skills acquisition.Mr Ebubeogu commended the Archbishop for his giant strides in education in the Archdiocese and beyond,adding that his transformational initiatives in education has promoted excellence across various educational institutions in the Archdiocese.
In his contribution,Mr Celestine Ebubeogu expressed his amazement at the extent of work going on at the permanent site of the university and while commending the Archbishop,announced a donation of N50 million Naira on behalf of the Tiger Foods organisation in addition to the already donated canteen project.
Earlier,while addressing stakeholders who gathered for the event, Archbishop Okeke pointed out that the major reason he was investing in education was to “better the future of our children”.
According to the Archbishop,”if our children are well educated,they can be employed locally or abroad.We are trying to empower the future generations so that our children can compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world”,the Archbishop said.
The Archbishop also revealed that already,many of the secondary schools have undergone various transformations and have been able to win laurels both at home and abroad thus necessitating the venture into a university.
The Archbishop further announced that the Shanahan University will in no distant time commence short business courses for adult businessmen and women who need to improve their education to help them in their businesses and also be proud graduates of the university with certificates to show for it as is obtained in various other universities locally and abroad.
A film slide showing successes made by various archdiocesan secondary schools locally and internationally was streamed and viewed to the excitement of the stakeholders who hailed the Archbishop on his achievements.
In his contribution,the chairman of the Shanahan University Education Foundation,Sir Enebeli Osanakpo expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for his giant strides in education and successful inauguration of the Shanahan University Onitsha.He appealed to individuals, organisations and stakeholders to leverage on the successful take off of the university by investing in the university by way of supporting some of the on going projects financially.
Also,renowned business mogul and industrialist,Sir Ikem Osanakpo commended Archbishop Valerian Okeke for the progress so far made at the permanent site of the university and beckoned all all lovers of education to rally round the Archbishop for speedy completion of the project.
In his vote of thanks,the chairman of the Shanahan University Project and Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of Onitsha Rev Fr Basil Ekwunife, thanked the donor of the canteen Mr Don Ebubeogu and members of his family,all the guests present and above all,the Archbishop for his commitment towards making the Shanahan University Project a reality.
The Onitsha Archdiocesan Financial Administrator,Rev Fr Philip Ibeneme,Rev Fr Emmanuel Megwalu among some priests and religious were present on the ocassion.
