By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba will on Tuesday lead no fewer than 160 Anglican Bishops across Nigeria to the formal opening of the Permanent Site of the University on the Niger (UniNiger) in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

A statement by the Director Communications, Sir Oselloka Offoh, said that the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, would be the special guest at the occasion, while Anambra born business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze would be the Royal guest of honour.

Former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka former Aviation Minister, who chaired the Taskforce for the completion of the Permanent Site of the institution is also expected at the event.

The statement partly reads: “The Bishop on the Niger and the Chancellor of the University Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo says the UniNiger is a logical culmination of the work of the Anglican Church in educating and empowering people in Eastern Nigeria.”

"Bishop Owen said the institution took off as the first University in the Commercial city of Onitsha, the headquarters of the Diocese on the Niger, with permanent site located at Umunya.

"The Chancellor also explained the logo of the University and it's features. According to him, the Cross in the logo represents the Christian Faith, while the open book is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom and insight achieved through the Scripture and Learning.

"He equally explained that the 'Yellow' circle represents the Sun Rising from the East and shinning throughout the world which stands for the universality of education. 'The Blue object is the sign of the River Niger through which the early missionaries arrived Onitsha, an integral part of the university's name.

"The motto of the UniNiger is 'Lux fiat via Sapientia' which is translated as; SHOW THE LIGHT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.

"Bishop Nwokolo had earlier made it clear to the people of South East that the Vision of UniNiger is to be a leading tertiary institution in the achievement of excellence in knowledge dissemination, character building and leadership for the production of entrepreneurial and globally competitive graduates for national development.

"The Chancellor assures parents and guardians that with godly virtues and the academic excellence of the school their children and wards are in safe hands.

"From all that has been placed on ground, the University on the Niger has been structured to become a pace setter in Nigeria's tertiary education.”

Meanwhile, the University's Vice Chancellor and former Minister of Mines & Power, Very Rev. Prof Chinedu Nebo, has underscored five philosophical pillars of the institution to include Excellence, Knowledge, Character, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

According to him, the five pillars are the basis upon which global best practices are built.

While saying that the university, since conception has been unique, multi-lingual and faith-based, the VC said that students are encouraged to be diligent enough to locate their areas of interest and social needs for their professional certificates in addition to their registered degrees.

He added: "The establishment of the UniNiger has no doubt brought a lot relief and joy to the people of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra and South East in general.”

Meanwhile, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has thanked the Anglican Diocese on the Niger under the leadership of the RT. Rev Dr. Owen Nwokolo “for this wonderful initiative assuring him of the goodwill and support of Ndi Anambra.”

He observed that the take-off of the university marks a historic moment in the re-engineering and repositioning of Onitsha Commercial city.

Also, a former Governor of Anambra, Mr. Peter Obi, who had earlier visited the Iyi-Enu Campus of the university, commended Bishop Owen and people of Niger Diocese for setting what he described as “incredible records which have underscored their unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of humanity.”

According to the Director of Information of the institution, UniNiger is the only university that has made Chinese Language and Critical Thinking compulsory in Nigeria.

He explained that the essence is to produce stars, wealth and job creators, not job seekers.