How Lux Mundi University, first licensed university in Umuahia, Abia state capital, was unveiled and activated for academic activities.
The first ever National Universities Commission ( NUC ) licensed university located in the metropolis of Umuahia, the Abia State capital named Lux Mundi University ( LMUU ) has been unveiled by the state governor Dr Alex Otti at the weekend and activated for academic activities
The unveiling ceremony also featured a Mass Service, the investiture of its pioneer Chancellor, Dr Lucius Ugorji, who is Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese and President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the matriculation of pioneer students, foundation laying of Dr Ikedi Ohakim Faculty of Management Sciences Building and Pastor ( Mrs ) Patience Umo Eno Faculty of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences Memorial Building in honour of Pastor Eno , the late wife of the current Akwa Ibom state Governor, unveiling of the University Logo
Governor Otti unveiled the university through the Secretary to Abia state Government ( SSG ) Professor Kenneth Kalu, commending the Founder/Pro- Chancellor professor Gabriel Okenwa, for the great feat by establishing the university in his Ndagbo Afaraukwu Ossah Ibeku community near the Government House, Umuahia.
Governor Otti also declared that the emergence of the Lux Mundi University Umuahia ( LMUU ) is in line with his vision of revitalizing the state education sector to enable students compete favourably with their counterparts nationally and internationally.
He said that he was sustaining the provision of the enabling and conducive environment for investments in various sectors and charged members of the public and groups to contribute to the university and the students to imbibe the virtue of self motivation to achieve higher academic standards in life.
The Founder and Pro chancellor Professor Gabriel Okenwa said that the university which according to him , stands on a foundation that extends beyond mere academic rigor and is out to illuminate humanity, appreciated governor Otti , Umuahia traditional rulers and various others he attested to have contributed in actualizing his vision saying he will do his best to ensure that the university becomes a great citadel of learning.
Speaking, former Imo state governor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim assured of his sustainable support to the university, predicting it’s fast growth to become one of the best in West Africa.
The Chancellor Archbishop Ugorji expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him to serve as Chancellor, noting that by it’s carrying “Lux Mundi” tag , meaning – the light of the world, the university captures not only the name but also its essence.
” We are called to illuminate, guide, and to foster a brighter future for our students and society and look forward to expanding our network of partnerships with local and international institutions whose collaborations will be instrumental in achieving our mission to provide a holistic education that encourages creativity, professionalism and engagement with the world”.
Several goodwill messages to the university were presented by the Archbishop Methodist Church Nigeria Umuahia Diocese, Archbishop Chibuzo Opoko, Vice Chancellor Bishop Godfrey Okoye University Enugu Prof. Christian Anieke represented by Rev Sister Mary Nwachukwu, JAMB Registrar professor Ishap Oloyede represented by Mohamed Daboji, Globus Bank, Veritas University, Abuja, Committee of Vice Chancellors, Ambassador Dr Kema Chikwe, professor John Kennedy Opara, including the President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria ( CIBN ) Professor Pius Olanrewaju, among others.
In his Homily during a church mass service that preceded the ceremony, the Chancellor Godfrey Okoye University ( GOUE ) Enugu, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama congratulated the founder of LMUU prof Okenwa and wife for achieving the feat.
GOUE is the Official Mentor assigned to LMUU by the National Universities Commission ( NUC ).
Archbishop Kaigama said that LMUU is an attempt to make a positive impact on the Nigerian nation charging that it teaches correct values, patriotism and correct social and moral behavior, and urged the government to assist ” daring individuals like the Founder of LMUU, (professor Okenwa ) and faith-based organizations to offer the best education to Nigeria’s teeming children and youths at minimal costs.
Similarly, president/Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria ( CIBN) Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju charged professor Okenwa , who is a member of the Institute , ” to adopt culture of innovation, inclusiveness and resilience as they embark on the university’s journey and thus become a cradle for intellectual excellence, moral uprightness and catalyst for societal transformation.
He said that Lux Mundi is a fitting name given an institution that is poised to illuminate the path to a brighter future for humanity through knowledge, innovation and service.
The CIBN he announced ” is ready to collaborate with LMUU in the areas that align with CIBN mandate to promote ethical standards and professionalism especially as they pertain to the financial and management sciences”
Other high points of the event were the unveiling of the LMUU logo, blessing of the LMUU by Umuahia traditional rulers and administration of the matriculation oath by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Lucy Onyekwelu on the pioneer students, numbering 81, comprising 52 females and 29 males who are studying courses in the Faculties of Law, Management Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences and Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences.
One of the lucky matriculated students Miss Emenike Onumkpu of Nursing Science who, during the ceremony, got an offer for payment of her one year Tuition Fee from the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia diocese Dr Chibuzo Raphael Opoko for being the lucky one that was given his ( Archbishop Opoko) Enlarged Portrait to exhibit while other students carried others’ Portraits.
She promised that the pioneer students of LMUU have poised to set lasting enviable records for the future/ subsequent students and thus began to sell the university nationally and internationally.
