Bishop Decries Mass Exodus of Nigerian Students, Academia, Professionals

By Praise Chinecherem

Bishop, Theologian Church of Nigeria, Rt. Rev Prof. Dapo Asaju has expressed worry over Nigerian university’s steady loss of graduates and lecturers to foreign countries despite the huge resources invested in them.

He also regretted increasing number of qualified Nigerian professionals currently serving other countries at the expense of the nation’s socio-economic realities.

Ajasu, who doubles as Bishop of Ilesha
spoke at the 2nd Matriculation of the University on the Niger involving 762 fresh students held at University’s permanent site, Umunya.

He called on governments, institutions, parents and guardians to find ways to end the trending phenomenon.

“Thousands of qualified Nigerian professionals are now serving other countries at the very social and economic perils of the nation and its citizens,” he lamented.

While noting that UniNiger had been specially packaged to set the pace in Nigeria and Africa, the cleric said, “Like Martin Luther King, I have a dream for the University on the Niger; It will one day become the Harvard of Nigeria.”

According to the Bishop, many African leaders who provided leadership for post independent African nations were beneficiaries of christian education as we have in the UniNiger today.

“These include: Kwame Nkuruma (Ghana), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), William Tubman (Liberia), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Nnamdi Azikiwe (Nigeria), Patrice Lumumba (Congo), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Dominique Mboonyumutwa (Rwanda), Leopold Sedar Senghor (Senegal), and Milton Obote (Uganda), among others,” he listed.

Proprietor/Chancellor of the University and Bishop on the Niger, Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo described UniNiger as an entrepreneurial, multi-lingual, unique University where moral character, professionalism, hard work among other good virtues are inculcated.

Nwokolo, while felicitating with the fresh students, revealed that the institution had secured approvals from various professionals and regulatory Councils and Boards in the country.

Also speaking, Vice Chancellor Very Rev. Prof Chinedu Nebo said the University has made some languages like Chinese, French, Igbo compulsory for every student following China’s dominance in trade and industrialization in Africa.

Nebo, former Minister for Power, identified hard work and discipline as not only the distinguishing features of the institution, but also the philosophical bedrock that guarantee her success.

Some guests and parents who spoke to newsmen at the event said that history would be kind to Bishop Nwokolo for offering younger Nigerians renewed hope and chance for brighter future.

A total of 762 students matriculated at the occasion which attracted a cross section of the Anambra academia and business community.