Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has identified the cultism as a major threat to secular universities and has called on churches to fill the gap of moral decadence in secular institutions of higher learning by venturing into the establishment of universities.

The Governor made the call while receiving in audience the Prelate/Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Emele Uka, and principal officers of the church who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Governor’s call is coming against the backdrop of the gory murder and beheading of two students of the state-owned university based at Uturu last month.

According to him, cultism is a major threat to secular universities as some of the students are there for purposes other than pursuing academic studies.

He therefore argued that groups with capacity to offer moral training like churches should step in to fill the gap.

The Governor said that the South East is lagging behind, considering the number of universities in the area, adding that there is a major shortfall of university students seeking admission into universities from the zone.

He said he was committed to assisting the church realise the Presbyterian University.

Earlier in his speech, the Moderator, Most Rev. Uka, said the visit was aimed at having a fraternal fellowship with the Governor as well as to pledge their loyalty. He prayed God to strengthen him.

Most Rev. Uka hinted that the church has developed the take-off site of the Hope Waddell University and applied to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to come for inspection, disclosing that the NUC team is expected in the state soon to carry out the exercise. He solicited the Governor’s support to enable the church to realise the university.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.