…get 50 % cut in tuition fee as scholarship from proprietor, Archbishop Okeke
By Chuks Eke
No fewer than 495 students on Saturday matriculated at the Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra state.
Shanahan University is a new educational institution established by the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese with its Proprietor and Chancellor as Most Rev Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province.
Admitting the matriculants formally, Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor charged them to be of good behaviour throughout their academic pursuit in the University.
Oguejiofor who noted that Shanahan University is anchored on Christianity with particularly emphasis on Catholic faith, maintained that true morals, discipline, religion, God fearing and job creation are the hallmarks of the institution.
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that having started with 19 programmes and having applied to the National Universities Commission, NUC for more programmes, the NUC has just graciously given an approval for them to add five more programmes such as Medicine, Physiology, Anatomy, English Language and Law.
He commended the Proprietor and Chancellor, Archbishop Okeke for approving 50 percent cut in tuition fees as scholarship award to all the matriculants and urged the students to receprocate the gesture by exhibiting good character and hard work while in school.
In his brief remarks, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe described Shanahan as the only University in Onitsha, adding that his prayers to have a university in Onitsha during his life tine have been answered, just as his wish has been fulfilled..
He praised Archbishop Okeke for his foresight in establishing such a quality institution that will not only rank among the best universities in Nigeria but also in Africa, adding that as a lover of education, Archbishop Okeke has succeeded in championing and upgrading the status of all secondary schools owned by the Archdiocese which he mentioned as Queen of the Rosary College, QRC, Onitsha; Mater Amabilis Umuoji, Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha, Regina Pacis, Onitsha, among others.
Describing education as the best investment one can give to his child, Obi Achebe expressed optimism that the students would come out in flying colours and fill the gap of the current shortage of good leadership in Nigeria as according to him, the biggest challenge Nigeria has today is shortage of good leadership.
Also, the Registrar of Shanahan University,, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Emenu noted that the total number of students on admission list of the institution are 665 but due to delay by some of them in the sumission of their documents for documentary processions, 495 students matriculated while others wait till the next academic session.
In his homily during a Holy Mass to kickstart the matriculation cetemonies, Archbishop Okeke, the Proprietor and Chancellor had charged the matriculants to brace up to the challenges of life, even as he noted that they have commenced their journey to the promised Land.
Chairman Board of Trustees of the University, Sir Cletus Ibeto said the matriculants are lucky and privileged to be among those the students that would pass through Shanahan University and urged them to work hard and come out in flying colors.
