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• Set to introduce law degree programme, others
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Towards consolidating its strides as the most preferred private university of choice in the southeast, Legacy University, Okija recently held its 2023 Matriculation ceremony, the 7th in the series.
It was a joyous occasion , an exciting moment filled with sense of pride and hopes of accomplishment as the new students filed out in their matriculation gowns into the arena with bright faces lit up for a greater future during the procession led by the Dean of Students Affairs.
After the opening prayers, the Acting Registrar of the institution constituted the congregation into a matriculation assembly while the Vice Chancellor also constituted the gathering as Matriculation Assembly for the purpose of completing the admission process of freshmen and women into the undergraduate programmes of the university.
The Pro-Chancellor, Dr Leonard Nkameme in an address described the matriculation exercise as an epoch making event. He said Legacy University is exceptional due to the availability of a serene environment architecturally designed for serious academic activities.
“It is replete with qualified and proficient staff that are creative and productive in line with the minimum standard of the National Universities Commission benchmark . No wonder, the least of our academic staff have doctorate degrees with rich research backgrounds. On the area of infrastructures, the university has well equipped laboratories for practical which have passed several stages of academic accreditations and assessments. This is why most of our students have become the preferred bride in their places of industrial trainings and youth service. On the area of our fees, it is clearly the most affordable in the league of both private and public universities in Nigeria.
“This is in line with vision of the founders never to maximise profit but human capital development. Today’s inflation in Nigeria might not completely affect our students due to the fact that the university is fully a residential one where every need of the students is provided at his/ her doorstep. Again, the university can clearly boast of a water tight security which has made many parents to bring their children and wards from far and near” he said.
Dr Nkameme also reiterated the fact that Legacy University was granted a permanent statutory licence by the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission after a record time of three years of operation. He said the students graduate at record time because there is no form of institutional delays as obtainable in some other institutions while the university has successfully graduated up to three sets of students and established a strong alumni base making waves all over the world.
On its projections for the future, he said lots of projects and new faculties have been approved to commence in no distant time even as he disclosed that the Faculty of Law , Health Sciences and School of Nursing are receiving serious attention presently and will soon come on board.
He admonished the matriculating students to be mindful of the fact that the period between their matriculation and convocation ceremonies are wide and for that reason, they are expected to make appropriate use of the four years so that they will win the race meritoriously.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ezekiel Ihionu described the institution as a lifelong legacy bestowed for the benefit of all mankind by its founding fathers.
He noted that the university has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since its take-off through the dogged efforts of its founders and selfless dedication of its staff. The Vice Chancellor however pointed out that the university management is not content with the twenty approved disciplines so far and have therefore continued to explore avenues of growth in order that more and more people will benefit from their efforts.
To the new students, he has also words of admonition thus for them: “You came here from your separate homes with varying virtues, values and idiosyncrasies. While you are encouraged to let the university pass through you, you must be very discreet with the habits you imbibe and the company you keep. The primary reason you are here is to excel in academics, develop intellectually and be a model of good character so that on your graduation, we will beat our chests and be proud to award you certificates on good character and learning. “He said.
.Secretary, Board of Trustees of the university, Barr Lawrence Obeta in a remark disclosed that the institution caters for the educational needs of the indigent ones in the society while there are plans to map out funds to support even graduates who may want to embrace entrepreneurship.
A philanthropist and friend of the university, Chief Ignatius Nnubia in an interview disclosed that he has been a childhood friend of the Pro Chancellor dating back to their school days at OGS Okija . He said Legacy University is living up to the meaning of its name through the laying of a strong foundation for enduring knowledge and grooming of people with sound education and strong moral values.
Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Moses Chendo in his own remark applauded the various developmental strides recorded in the university within a short period of time. He said it gladdens the heart to see the young university transforming into a true citadel of learning under a serene atmosphere with a functional e-library and other innovative teaching methods.
Two of the newly matriculated student, Ihuoma Kate from Biochemistry department and Anumba Soludo Kelvin from Computer Science department in their separate interviews described Legacy University as a home for learning and grooming noting that the conducive environment for studies and the caring attitude of the lecturers in student welfare have all combined to make their daily stay in the campus a pleasant experience.
