FG’ll increase participation in private varsities- Prof Anwukah

The Federal Ministry of Education says it will increase her participation in Gregory University Uturu and other private universities in the country to sustain their important role towards attaining the education goals of the President Buhari-led administration.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah stated this in Uturu recently during the second convocation of Gregory University Uturu, stating that education remains the fastest and most reliable tool for engaging and empowering Nigerian youths, especially in the present technology-driven dispensation.

He said: “This is why the Federal Government places premium on the education of Nigerian youths at different levels. At the Federal Ministry of Education we have continued to partner relevant stakeholders in achieving the task of equipping our youths with skills and competencies that would enable them compete favorably at the global labour market.

“Let me therefore congratulate the Chancellor of Gregory University Uturu, Dr. Gregory Ibe, Board, Management, Staff and Scholars of this great institution for partnering the Federal Government in this crucial assignment.

“It is clear from the much I have seen that Gregory University Uturu is certainly emerging as a global leader in the league of technology driven higher institutions of note in the 21st century.

“The Federal Government shall continue to provide the needed policy framework that will in turn encourage private institutions like Gregory University Uturu to sustain their important role towards attaining the education goals of our administration.

“Having seen the good work you are doing here my dear Chancellor, let me assure you that the Federal Ministry of Education will increase her participation in Gregory University Uturu going forward in the days ahead.

“It gives me great joy to participate in this epoch-making second convocation ceremony of Gregory University Uturu, which formally signals the unveiling and release of another batch of skilled and talented manpower to the labour market.

“To the graduating scholars, I say a big congratulation. As an educationist and one time Vice Chancellor I know what it takes for a university to confer the toga of ‘graduate’ on someone. Like we say it means you have been ‘found worthy in character and in learning.”

To the graduands he also charged “You must therefore rise up in defence of the vote of confidence you are receiving today through good public conduct and a life of diligence. By so doing you will not only attract good to yourself but will also make both your parents and alma mater proud of their product.

Speaking at the occasion, the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, recalled that the university has 8 colleges and was granted licence in 2012 with only three colleges, while it graduated its first batch of scholars in 2016.

The institution, he said, has global approach, hence English and French are compulsory courses, while in the university laboratory are English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, and Hebrew.

The Acting Vice Chancellor informed that the university is affiliated to universities in the United States of America, while the university Chancellor has concluded plans for the university affiliation other universities in Canada.

He also disclosed that five scholars of the university are on Masters programmes in affiliate institutions in the United States of America.

Also speaking, an awardee and Vice President of ECOWAS, Edward Singhartey, said the university had graduated “a class of talented scholars with skills through curriculum on ethical behaviours,” assuring that he will mobilise support for the university.

He urged the university management to build the university “into the envy of universities in Nigeria”.

In his speech, the Chancellor and founder of the university, Chief Gregory Iyke Ibe, urged the graduands to maintain contact with the university as the school has been having contact with employers of labour.

He disclosed that the university had concluded plans for Example exchange programmes and urged parents to engage their wards with different skills to enable them become entrepreneurial and even earn money to assist with their education.

A total of eighty students were graduated, while seven were given honorary doctorate degrees, Honoris Causa, including the ECOWAS Vice President, Edward Singhartey and the chairman of the university Board of Trustees (BoT), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.

Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia