Nekede, Nigeria. “Be Christ-animated,” were the words of the Chancellor and Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna to the matriculants of the Claretian University of Nigeria (CUN) during the maiden Matriculation Ceremony on May 13, 2022, at the university campus at Maryland Nekede Owerri, Imo State.
In his homily, during the Eucharistic celebration, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna recalled how he was transformed by the Gospel of Christ which brought the light of faith. He urged the matriculants “to allow the Word of God to permeate their beings so that they can transform their families, the society, and the nation. In his words, they should be “animated by Christ – Christanimation.” He stated that,
“the university draws in unison and brings about a synthesis of the diversity of gifts and talents within the human person and from the point of view of intellectual, affective or psychological development draws everything into one institution. From this one institution, wisdom flows and prepares one to serve God and humanity with a sense of responsibility distinguished in character and learning.”
The Matriculation Ceremony proper began immediately after the Holy Mass. A total of 75 students in three departments are currently studying in the CUN drawn from 11 states of Nigeria. In the words of the Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Nwobi, CMF, “ in the future, the Claretian University will be a hub of interculturality where gifts are harnessed with a stamp of the Claretian DNA.” The Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Wence Madu, CMF affirmed that “the overall challenges in our educational system and underlying moral values have become a major concern to the nation. The standards of education, discipline, and morality have declined to a point where the ‘intensive care’ approach is needed as the only way forward to ensure a sustainable future for the Nigerian Youth. This underlines the philosophy behind the establishment of CUN, aptly captured in the University Motto: ‘Securing the Future through Education. Thus, CUN plans to achieve this through academic excellence, good moral upbringing, and physical and creative innovation of individuals.”
Aware that the cost of acquiring tertiary education may not be affordable to indigent persons and the poor even in public institutions, the Claretian University is determined to make a difference by instituting an endowment fund to target human capital development and reduce the financial burden of a tertiary institution on deserving artisans and exceptionally gifted persons. Currently, CUN has the lowest fees including accommodation in the country. The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, called on well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support and raise funds for the new university in her quest for excellence.
The Claretian University of Nigeria is currently admitting students for the following courses: economics, philosophy, accounting, criminology and security studies, computer science, cybersecurity, and software engineering. For further information visit the university website – www.claretianuniversity.edu.ng
