By Ononye VC
No fewer than 500 students of the new Shanahan University,Onitsha, matriculated at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the institution on Saturday.
The matriculation ceremony began with a high Mass presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha.
In his homily, Archbishop Okeke who is the founder,promoter and proprietor of the university, expressed gratitude to God for making it a resounding reality.He prayed God to make the university the best among equals,be rated one of the best in the world and also be a blessing to families who have taken advantage of it to educate their children.
The Archbishop accorded special recognition to the Obi of Onitsha,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and acknowledged that if his (Achebe’s) predecessors did not afford the early missionaries land to build schools and churches,perhaps the idea of erecting the university and other institutions would not have materialised,pointing out that,”All are the lord’s doing and marvelous in our eyes”.
The Archbishop’s homily titled,”Going to the Promised Land”,cited the Biblical tortuous journey of the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 14-15)before they were free from captivity.This he said,was like the journey before the students until they worked hard and completed their studies.He encouraged the students saying,”Do not be afraid.Today you are like the Israelites.You have left the comfort zones of the pampering of your parents.Now you are entering into another stage of life,the university campus which is now your new home.Do not be afraid as it is a movement through resourcefulness and progress.You must leave Egypt before you get to the promised land”.
The Archbishop dropped six golden principles which the students must imbibe to achieve excellence in their academic pursuits.
They include,motivation,consistency and perseverance and discipline.
Others are,imbibing the right notion of freedom by doing what is good and correct,imbibing culture of excellence which is the ultimate principle and goal of the university and finally,working very hard and crowning it all with prayers.
In his exhortation at the auditorium of the university,the chairman of Board of Trustees,(BOT)Shanahan University,Dr Cletus Ibeto,congratulated the founder and proprietor of the university, Archbishop Valerian Okeke,the Vice Chancellor Rev Fr Prof Josephat Obi Oguejiofor,and staff and students of the university for the colourful event.He told the pioneer students to count themselves privileged and expressed hope that the student’s performance will compare favourably with other best institutions in the world.Dr Ibeto implored the students to shun all negative mannerisms and make their school and parents proud.
In his contribution,the traditional ruler of Onitsha,His Royal Majesty,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe expressed gratitude to God for the gift of Bishop Shanahan and other early missionaries for pioneering education in Southern Nigeria.According to Obi Achebe,without education,many of them present at the event would not have achieved what they were, pointing out that it was the greatest investment for socio-economic development of the society.
Obi Achebe also expressed gratitude to Archbishop Valerian Okeke for following the footsteps of his predecessors and also for making models out of many schools in the Archdiocese of Onitsha.
In an emotional tone,Igwe Achebe said,”History is broken today.I thought I would never see a university in the ancient kingdom of Onitsha in my life time.But with this(Shanahan University),Onitsha has regained it’s preeminence in education.Today,we are part of the wider world”.
While contributing his remarks through a virtual platform,renowned academic, Professor Pat Utomi,said that with the emergence of the Shanahan University Onitsha,it can shape a generation that can be trusted.He urged the students to go out and be the best and not allow any distraction to deter them in their mission.
Addressing the gathering,the Vice Chancellor of the university,Rev Fr Professor Josephat Obi Oguejiofor, said among other things,”Our university will not be a university without education.It is tailored to be a university that prepares it’s students to face life confidently.Our aim is that whoever passes through Shanahan university will be able to find his/her niche everywhere in the world.It is not a university that glorifies only in issuing certificates for people to look for often non existent jobs,but one that endows it’s students to be job creators through their creativity and inventiveness”.
Oguejiofor went down memory lane stating that, “Shanahan university started academic activities in October 2024 with 19 programmes.This year,we are adding 5 more programmes”.The National Universities Commission he said,came for resource verification for these prospective programmes on the 12th of February,2025.According to him, approval was issued to the university on 26th of February,2025.He disclosed that the newly approved programmes are,Medicine, Physiology,Anatomy, English language and Law.
The Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude and appreciation to the founder,promoter and proprietor of the University, Archbishop Valerian Okeke,members of the BOT led by Dr Cletus Ibeto,the Obi of Onitsha,ASUBEB chairperson Dr Vera Nwadinobi,lecturers of the university and others for their support to the university morally and materially.
The matriculation ceremony at the university auditorium was preceded by a colourful procession of the proprietor and Chancellor of the university, Archbishop Valerian Okeke,members of the Board of Trustees,Vice Chancellor of the university,the academic staff and students.
Present also were members of Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Women Organisation (CWO)led by their Director Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike and Catholic Men Organisation (CMO)led by the President General,Sir Evarist Uba.
At exactly 1:18 PM,the Vice Chancellor declared the matriculation ceremony closed.
