GRATITUDE:
Today a new page is opened in the History of the Great and Ancient city of Onitsha. Now, Onitsha has her own University, the Shanahan University, Onitsha. For this we give special thanks to God. To Him be honor, glory, praise and thanksgiving now and forever.
We are also grateful to God that we are the privileged beneficiaries of this golden epoch.
THE EMERGENCE OF UNIVERSITIES:
History recounts that University Education developed on account of the needs of the Medieval Society. By then, the products of the monastic and cathedral schools were gradually found inadequate to meet the needs of the then society. By the 10th and 11th centuries, there were acceleration of developments. Towns were increasing in population due to rapid urbanization. Also, there was great increase in wealth and power. Consequently, there followed an increase in the demand for more educated officials in government and ecclesiastical administrations.
Then, the great demand for educated officials gave birth to international study centres or centres of learning called STUDIUM GENERALE. These translated to become the first Universities in Bologna, Paris and Salamanca. The ius ubique docendi or the authority to teach was the duty of the Pope. The graduates were prepared to meet the needs of the time.
Today like the time of its inception, Universities are expected to respond to the needs of the society and solve their problems.
The universities are expected to produce leaders. Leaders should have knowledge and sense of service. Knowledge creates values, again knowledge converts problems into opportunities, avoids wastes and utilizes opportunities for good.
Knowledge transforms through creative ideas and formation of character. Universities produce leaders who transform the society.
BE DETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Our idea of Shanahan University is a unique centre of learning and formation of character where excellence is the culture, where discipline and integrity form the modus vivendi and modus operandi of the staff and students.
Recall that discipline is doing the right thing always even when it is neither convenient nor attractive. Also, integrity means having ‘wholeness’ of character, doing the right thing in public and in private.
Good to remember that Excellence is to be of the highest and finest quality. It comes from excel which is to go beyond the ordinary.
Excellence calls for growth. It is a process. It is ongoing. Make it your way of life. If you can dream it, you can make it happen. Excellence is not branding. It is internal while branding is external.
Set goals for yourself and turn your dream into reality.
If you want to go to the promised land, you must choose to leave Egypt.
In the journey of life, we must make choices. The choices we make in life determine how far we will go, the impact we make and our level of progress.
To choose one option is to sacrifice or relinquish the other. Always make the right choices. Choose to be happy not by doing what is popular with short term pleasure but by doing what is right, what is good, noble and glorious with lasting happiness.
- Set your goal and take steady steps towards its realization.
- Choose to be a first-class student!
- Choose to be a person of integrity and discipline.
- Choose to be committed to the culture of excellence.
Do not forget that unless the Lord builds a house in vain do the builders labour. Therefore, be close to God through prayer and rectitude of character.
Welcome to the city of excellence!
Welcome to the Shanahan University, Onitsha!
Welcome to the home of the wise and the learned!
May God make your dreams realized through Christ Our Lord, Amen!
Given at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha
MOST REV. VALERIAN M. OKEKE
