ADDRESS BY THE CHANCELLOR OF VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA
Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama on the Occasion of the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the University February 22, 2020
I welcome you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the 8th convocation ceremony of Veritas University, Abuja. Today we celebrate the result of hard work, commitment to studies, self discipline, obedience to authority, and moral up rightness of students of this university. We thank the Almighty God who has made this possible and given us the grace to celebrate. May His Holy name be praised now and forever!
Let me congratulate all the students who have distinguished themselves to make their families proud. Veritas University is indeed happy and proud to have you as her product. I also congratulate the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Rev. Fr. Professor Hyacinth Ichoku and all his staff for their steadfastness in the education and formation of our students; the labour of your hands will not go in vain.
Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the last time I addressed a gathering of this nature during the 7th convocation ceremony of this university, it was in my capacity as Visitor to the University (President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria). Today, as it pleases God who is the designer of our destiny, I am addressing you as the Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja. This is a huge responsibility placed on my shoulders as the Chancellor of this university, and the Local Ordinary of the Metropolitan See of Abuja. I want to assure you that God helping me, I will do everything in my powers to ensure the full realisation of the vision of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in establishing this university.
This 8th convocation ceremony once more underscores the saying that “little drops of water make a mighty ocean”. The memories of the challenges Veritas University faced especially insecurity, in its temporal site in Obehie, when it commenced academic activities in 2007, is still fresh in our minds. Given the security challenges it has faced since inception, it was doubtful if the university will be able to make much modest achievements in a short time; but in just 13 years, Veritas University has grown to be a contending force in the provision of quality education and sound moral formation. I therefore seize this opportunity to thank the immediate past Vice Chancellor of this University, Professor Michael Kwanashie, and all those who made it possible for the university to attain this great height, especially relocating the institution from it temporal site in Obehie to this permanent site in Abuja, God bless you all.
As you can see, several projects are going on simultaneously to ensure that adequate facilities are provided for the increasing population of students and staff in this university in order to ensure conducive learning and teaching environment. I therefore seize this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to continue to support the university because, though Veritas University is growing fast, it is not yet uhuru for the institution.
Let me remind us that Veritas University does not only provide quality education, but it runs a formation system which helps to mould and shape the students into holistic persons who are able to positively influence their world. To achieve this, all undergraduates students are housed in the university. As the population of the students increase and more programmes are introduced in the university, more hostel accommodation is needed. I therefore invite investors and businessmen and women to come and do business with Veritas University. Your investment will bring you good returns
To our graduands I say this is just the beginning. The certificate you have been given is because you have been found worthy in character and learning; remain so in everything you do and where ever you find yourself. May the Holy Spirit of God light up your path as you seek your future. God bless you all. Go and conquer the world but don’t let the world conquer you and rob you of the values acquired here in this fast growing prestigious Veritas University.
