By Paul Chukwu
Claretian missionary, Brazil, in partnership with the Imo state government, has unveiled a chapter of the university in the state known as Imo Claretian University, amids joy, eulogies and lofty expectations.
The university according to reports, is expected to be the 21st century innovation educational system that will incorporate Healthcare, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, inventing technology programs, as well as a unique technology-enhanced learning platforms designed with the learner in mind.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at the Imo International Convention Centre, IICC, Annex, Owerri, the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Florence Emenalo, commended the effort of the Catholic church in significantly sharing and adding to the dreams of the Imo state government in providing qualitative education to the people of the state.
She pledged total support and cooperation of the state government towards ensuring conducive teaching and learning environment to enable the institution to thrive.
The Provincial Superior, Claretian Missionaries East Nigeria Province, Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, stated that the university planned to contribute its quota in building the future of the Nigerian people through adequate formal education, thereby correcting the menace caused by the military rule in the country’s educational system.
While disclosing the aims of Claretian education, which he submitted that it was not limited to providing a quick fix answer to contemporary problems facing the humanity, but giving a direction towards solving them, the Provincial Superior, also pointed out that in partnership with the Imo state government, the university is poised to reforming the system of education in the country.
Chairman of the unveiling committee, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu, in his speech, described the university as the innovation of the state government which came into operation, pursuant to the formulation of law number 12 of the Imo state house of Assembly, with the aim of allowing private investors to partner with them towards providing qualitative education to the people.
He added that the university wants to create a community and environment where the learner counts, while arming the students that passed through it with basic certificates that will make them employable.
Rev. Fr. Wence Madu, who is also the Rector, Imo state Polytechnic, Umuagwo, also announced that the university will assist the Imo state government in its health program of ‘health at your door step’ by providing quality drugs at affordable rates.
While appreciating the Imo state government for mapping out a large expanse of land at Nkwerre for the permanent site of the university, the unveiling committee chairman further announced that the institution is expected to take off on a temporary basis at Claretian Institute of Philosophy, Nekede, where according to him, the state-of-the-arts facilities have been provided in line with the guidelines handed down by the National University Commission, NUC to ease teaching and learning.
In his remarks, the President of the Claretian University, Brazil, Rev. Fr. Louis Botteon, who spoke through an interpreter, appreciated the honor done to them and assured that the university would sequentially replicate its feat in Brazil down to the Imo chapter of the institution.
