The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi has urged well to-do Nigerians to donate handsomely to the young University on the Niger(UniNiger) project.
Dropping the appeal in his remarks at the maiden matriculation at the University’s permanent site, Umunya, Anambra State on Tuesday, recalled how he gave the current site to the Diocese when he was Governor of the state called on the Task Force Chairman to do more, saying “Osita, as Chairman of the Task Force, you have done well, but you have more friends than this, so you must raise at least one billion naira for the University.”
Chidoka agreed to continue the fundraising to meet the one billion Naira(N1b) target.
Chidoka had brought some of his friends led by His Excellencies Atiku Abubakar, Governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Gov of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang, Sen Aminu Tambuwal and former Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai amongst other distinguished citizens to donated selflessly to the completion of the permanent site of the University on the Niger, Umunya, Oyi Council of Anambra State.
Announcing the donations, Chief Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Center for Policy and Leadership, thanked the donors “for prioritising education and expressing in reality that the idea of a university is beyond geography.”
Chidoka was appointed one of the key speakers at the inaugural matriculation of the University, and Chairman of the Task Force for the relocation of the University to her permanent site, by His Lordship Bishop Owen Nwokolo.
The Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba, who declared the University open described the project as very meaningful.
In his sermon at the main auditorium to mark the event, the Primate commended the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Dr Owen, his wife, Dr Nonyelum Nwokolo, his ministers and the entire parishioners of the diocese, for successfully establishing the institution.
Some other dignitaries who made donations at the occasion included Sen. Tony Nwoye, who also attracted a road project of about a billion Naira to make the school accessible; Chief Godwin Okeke, founder of GUO Transport, who had donated a building, Sen Victor Umeh, Chief George Moghalu, Valentine Ozigbo, among others.
Chidoka called on all citizens to support the project “By investing in the University on the Niger, you are not just building structures; you are; moulding lives, careers, and futures,” he said.
“As the Chairman of the Task Force, I had invited some of my friends to the event, and some responded. I want to thank the eminent Nigerians for their immediate response despite the suddenness of the invitation.” Chidoka said
In his remark, Bishop Owen Nwokolo thanked the Diocese members and all contributors to the university, which is designed to mould character while imparting knowledge.
