VC LAYS FOUNDATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AE-FUNAI STAFF SCHOOL AND CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY

It was all celebrations yesterday at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba led other members of the university community and the Clergy to hold a two-prong ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a Staff Nursery and Primary School and Holy Family Catholic Chaplaincy in the University.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba cutting the tape to signal the commencement of the project while the Anglican Bishop of Ikwo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ken Ifemene, DVC, Professor Sunday Elom and rep. of Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Monsignor Lawrence Aja watch with keen interest

In the first event which was witnessed by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Okoro, Anglican Bishop of Ikwo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ken Ifemene and many Catholic Priests, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba noted that students cannot be trained in a spiritual vacuum, adding that the Chaplaincy would serve as a spiritual grooming ground for students of the university and indigenes of the host community.

He also urged the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Peter Agbo to initiate and organize religious programmes to keep the students busy and out of crime and other social vices, stressing that the ground breaking ceremony was a fulfillment of his promise when he assumed office in 2016.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba and rep. of Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, Monsignor Lawrence Aja at the foundation laying ceremony

Speaking on a homily entitled “Jesus is the Foundation Stone”, Bishop Okoro who was represented by Monsignor Lawrence Aja, stated that by blessing the foundation of the building, the entire university was already blessed, adding that anyone that comes into the church to pray and worship when it is completed, would receive the blessings of God.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor has also laid the foundation for the construction of the University Staff Nursery and Primary School, where he noted that the need to provide a good place where the children of staff and members of host community could receive quality early-child education motivated the Management to support the project.

He also explained that most staff would benefit from the school when it is completed as majority of the university workforce is composed of young people of child-bearing age. He further pledged to seek the approval of the Governing Council to support the project, which is being carried out under the auspices of AE-FUNAI Women Association, with N10, 000, 000.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, DVC, Professor Sunday Elom, Registrar, Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs.), Bursar, Alhaji Rafiu K. Aliu, President AE-FUNAI Women Association, Dr. Chinyere Nwajiuba, Director, Physical Planning, Works and Services, Dr. A. I Ezeaocha at the event

Speaking earlier, the President of AE-FUNAI Women Association, Dr. Chinyere Nwajiuba said the idea of having a nursery and primary school in the university was borne out of the desire to have a conducive place where children of staff could be taken care of while they are on duty.

She also noted that it will help to increase the level of commitment and output of young mothers working in the University, and called on members of the university community to contribute to the speedy completion of the project. She further thanked the University Management for their financial support and encouragement towards the realization of the dream.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba laying the foundation for the construction of University Staff Nursery and Primary School, yesterday