Education only true path to make Nigeria industrialised, prosperous and viable – Akpabio

Saturday, February, 8 will ever remain indelible in the minds of Amizi people in Ikwuano Local Government Area, in particular and Abians in general.

It was a day set aside for the official opening and maiden matriculation of Amadeus University, Amizi.
Godswill Akpabio, president of Senate and the Chief guest of honour, unveiled the plaque in and cut the tape to officially declare Amadeus University open.

Akpabio, while speaking during the ceremony, said that with the inauguration of Amadeus University, Amizi and the matriculation of its first set of students, he believed that the institution would not only be a place of pride in the citadels of learning, but would be a beacon that shall shine through the darkness of ignorance, guiding young minds towards the shores of wisdom and greatness.

He pointed out that education was the only true path to Nigeria that is industrialised, prosperous and viable.
Akpabio, who was represented by Austin Akobundu, senator representing Abia Central Zone in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, congratulated, Godwin Nwabunka, founder/chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), management and staff of the University and the entire community on the historic achievement, said that Amadeus University was founded not only for the mere passing information but for shaping of character, the forging of leaders and civilization. He charged the matriculants to take their studies seriously as they are hope of the country.

“Upon your shoulders rests the weight of our collective aspirations. Yours is the task of pushing back frontiers ignorance of solving the great riddles of our time. Let none of you shrink from the rigours of learning. There will be times when the road is hard when nights are long, when doubt whispers in your ear that you are not equal to the task. But stand firm! Hold fast! For it is only through perseverance that great achievements are born. And it is only the test of fire that makes fine steel.

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“Resolve now, in the depths of your being, that you shall not surrender to mediocrity, never abandon the pursuit of knowledge,” Akpabio admonished the students.

“As for us, the present custodians of this great Republic by your kind mandate, our duty is clear. We must guard, strengthen and expand the frontiers of education with unyielding determination. We must ensure that every child, from the bustling city of Lagos to the quiet hamlets of Abia has the opportunity to learn, to grow, to excel,” he said.

The President of Senate asserted that it was imperative that a nation that fails to educate its youths has already written its obituary.

“We in government must not only enact policies but ensure that they are carried out with vigour, vision and veracity. We must encourage institutions like Amadeus University to thrive to encourage innovation to stand as bastions of intellectual might. And we must invite private sector, philanthropists and men of goodwill to join the sacred mission,” Akpabio further said.

Godwin Nwabunka, founder and proprietor of the University, in his speech, said that Amadeus University was envisioned to do more than teach but founded as a crucible to empower, to inspire, and to shape the next generation of African leaders.

“During my time in the United Nations system and particularly UNICEF, the manifestations of poverty, root causes and effects featured prominently in our programming and planning. In the course of my work and travels, I encountered many women and children from various parts of the world, and their stories deepened my awareness of the universal that education has the power to transform lives.

“When I left UNICEF and founded Grooming Centre in 2006, my commitment was to contribute to promoting sustainable livelihoods for house at the base of the pyramid- alongside bold initiatives that result in improved health outcomes, enterprise development, as well as promoting access to quality education for young people.

“In our quest to make sustainable contribution to the education sector, we started by implementing grants and scholarship programmers that have far supported over 4,200 students at secondary and tertiary levels, as well as supporting development of learning facilities and infrastructure across the nation,” Nwabunka enthused.

He noted that Amadeus University was more than just classrooms, lecture halls, hostels and offices but home for those who think outside the box and seek to make the difference in the world.

“Our mission is clear; to produce graduates who are academically excellent, morally grounded and globally competitive. Our ambition is to harness the richness of this, from the strength of our community to its abundant natural resources and use these in creating a catalyst for wider development – not just our community, but for Abia, for Nigeria and the world at large,” the Proprietor said.
He disclosed that when the journey for the establishment of the University started in 2019, he knew it would require immense dedication and resilience.

“There were moments when the road ahead seemed difficult but it was our faith in God’s purpose for the institution that kept us moving forward,” he said.

He also noted that despite all the efforts, it would have not been possible to achieve the feat without the resources of Grooming Centre, the institutional promoter of Amadeus University.

“Let me state clearly that none of this would have been possible without the resources of Grooming Centre. As I stated earlier, Grooming Centre has been dedicated to empowering people since I founded it in 2006, particularly those at the base of the pyramid, through inclusive financial and non-financial services, achieving the status of a Global Tier One Micro Finance Institution within its first decade, as well as the delivery of over 12 million credits to households.

“The alignment between Grooming Centre and Amadeus University is a symbiotic relationship that should be a model for the interplay between industry and academia, with net positive effects on national development,” Nwabunka said.

To the matriculating students, Nwabunka said: “Therefore, to my dear trailblazers who we admit today as our cohort of students; I say, you are pioneers. You are the cornerstone upon which the legacy of Amadeus University is built. You will learn the curriculum, yes, but you will also grow in ways that will challenge you to think critically, act ethically, and make meaningful contribution to society.”

He disclosed that founding Amadeus University has been of a fulfilling endeavour of his life.
He said it was the culmination of years of experience and a deep passion for education that made his dream realisable.
“I have always believed that education is the greatest gift one can give, and it is my hope that this institution will continue to give that for generations to come,” said Nwabunka.

Samuel Mbadike Nzotta, vice chancellor, in his speech during the matriculation said that the maiden matriculation of Amadeus University, admitted students who have duly registered and met their financial obligations, and have been officially inducted as the class of 2024/2025 of Amadeus University, Amizi.

He said that the students have been admitted across the 19 National Universities Commission (NUC) approved programmes of the University.
Nzotta later read the riot act for the students and warned that the University clearly abhors all forms of vices, indiscipline and deviant behaviours by students especially membership of secret cults, stealing, prostitution, drug abuse and kidnapping.

He also added that armed robbery, threat to life, indecent dressing, drunkenness, poor attendance to classes, examination malpractice, cybercrime, and Internet fraud are forbidden by the authorities of the University. He earnestly urged the students to adhere to these rules and regulations to ensure steady academic growth and sound moral standards.

Nzotta commended parents and guardians for their decision to sponsor their children and wards, respectively in degree programmes of the University. He however, requested parents to always monitor the academic progression of their wards and their performances and lifestyles, among others.
The Vice Chancellor noted that all these are essential to ensure proper development of these students.

On teaching and learning, Nzotta said the University was founded as a world class educational institution where research, innovation, and a culture of excellence are emphasized.

“Excellence and modern teaching and learning facilities have been provided to ensure academic growth of our students.
“Modern laboratories have been installed for all the programmes complete with the needed equipment.
“In addition, quality, dedicated and passionate academia, who are research-oriented have been assembled to ensure that researched knowledge and relevant skills are impacted to students,” the VC said.

According to him, the University Management was focused on establishing collaborations with various international institutions and professional bodies.
“Arrangements are at advanced stage for the accreditation our Nursing programmes by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Also, the process for the accreditation of our Engineering programmes by the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) has also commenced,” Nzotta disclosed.

He said that the University has also started moves to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and that such collaborations would ensure that their programmes would comply with professional standards.
On Research aspect of the of the institution, he said that right from the onset, it had prioritised it as the pillar of its academic activities for holistic research in the University.

He revealed that the founder has provided an initial research fund to kickstart research activities in the University while efforts would be made to attract additional research grants from various external bodies and international funding agencies to enhance the research potentials of the University.

The VC also announced that founder of the University and the Grooming Centre, Lagos, had put in place some scholarship schemes for selected students of the University, adding that another scholarship scheme has been instituted for best performing students