Anyaoku, Utomi, others to grace launch of Jesuit University in Africa
News Saturday, June 30, 2012
By BENJAMIN NJOKU

Former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Pat Utomi and Abike Dabiri-Erewa will be among the dignitaries that will grace the fund raising dinner for the establishment of the first ever Jesuit University in Africa, to be known as Loyola Jesuit University (LJU).


The dinner, which holds on Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, will also be attended by other eminent Nigerians, the clergy, royal fathers as well as some ministers and state governors.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the university, Provincial Superior of the ANW Jesuits, Very Rev. Fr. Jude Odiaka, SJ said LJU will become the first Jesuit University in Africa.

According to him, the university will be a multi-campus institution with the School of Business Management and Social Sciences in Ogbere, Ogun State; the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Science in Ewatto, Edo State; and the School of Engineering and Applied Natural Sciences in Ngor Okpala, Imo State. The development of these campuses will accordingly, be in three phases.

"Loyola Jesuit College [LJC] is becoming a fast-selling brand even beyond the shores of Nigeria. Less than twenty years old, the school has constantly won a top place in the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) as well as garnered other numerous awards for excellence in science, mathematics, and sports.

“Several alumni of LJC have also excelled in various fields of learning at leading universities around the world, including: Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown, Fordham, Stanford, Oxford, Imperial College, Santa Clara, and many others. Owing to the resounding success of the school and the litany of achievements of its students and alumni, many Nigerians have long besieged the Jesuits (the owners of LJC) with requests to open a tertiary institution in Nigeria of the standard of LJC for a holistic formation of our youths."

"In response, the Jesuits of North-West Africa (ANW) province now plans to start in 2015 our first university in Nigeria with the name, Loyola Jesuit University (LJU)." Rev. Fr. Odiaka stated.

FSU: ^^^^^
This is a private university and the proprietors decide what goes. By the way, how did Oyedepo and the other private university owners decide where they sited their own schools?

FSU: ^^^^
Will you be happier if your so-called most valuable item (Engineering campus) is sited elsewhere say in Ogun State, rather than in Imo?

ekt_bear: Nice development.

But I'd rather have the engineering school than useless social sciences

ZE: Imo State is still the most educationally advantaged state in Nigeria. I believe it will be easier to assemble the finest lectures in Engineering and Natural sciences in Imo state. So dont question the decision to site the school of Engineering in Imo State, the authorities must have done their home work very well.

ekt_bear: Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing anyone of ill intentions here.

After all, a university is a university. I am just curious, what went into their decision regarding what should be built where?

An innocent question.