By ERIC MOORE
THE Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, has said its target is to be the leading tertiary institution in Africa in the near future, as it commences full academic activities.
Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, disclosed this while speaking at the official opening ceremony of the private institution in Isiokpo, Ikwerre local government area of the state on Thursday.
Al-Akaidi stated that the university was founded on the principles set forth by its founder, late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, whose legacy inspires a lot of people to ignite Africa’s potential for prosperity, to nurture thoughtful and fearless leaders.
He said: “This is not just the beginning of an institution; it is the realization of a profound vision, a dream born from the belief that education is the key to unlocking Africa’s vast potentials.
“Wigwe University is founded on the principles set forth by the late Dr. Wigwe, whose legacy inspires us to ignite Africa’s potential for prosperity, to nurture thoughtful and fearless leaders and to create an institution that will one day be the leading university in Africa.
“Our mission is not just to educate, but to lead a new era of academic excellence in Africa. We will provide a transformative educational experience that equips our students to meet the challenge of the future with confidence and creativity.”
In his speech, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed the hope that the Wigwe University will make a lot of impact in the state and beyond and called on the management to ensure that the dream of the founder does not die.
Fubara, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ovy Obi-Chukwuma, said the state government is deeply committed to the development of the university due to the administration’s strong belief in education.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Isiokpo Kingdom, King Blessing Wagor, said the people of the kingdom and Ikwerre ethnic nationality were still in tears over the sudden death of the founder of the university, who did not live to witness the take-off of the institution.
The monarch expressed: “We are still in tears over what happened. Isiokpo is in tears. Ikwerre people are in tears. But, God knows everything. He knows why it happened. We pray God to assist those working here to follow the plans the man had for this university.”