The truth about the Fire incident in Madonna University

The rate at which moral decadence is currently accelerating in our society remains a headache for every concerned individual. Ours is an era when institutions of higher learning where academic excellence and good moral standard are supposed to be inculcated in our youths are unfortunately doing directly the opposite.

For those who follow crime reports in the country, it is on record that almost all the cases of kidnapping, arm robbery, assassination, drug peddling/abuse etc are perpetuated by students from different campuses of Universities. It is now clear to Nigerians that unless something is done urgently, our education sector, particularly our university system, and indeed our entire country, may be heading for doom.

Consequently, the cry of Nigerian parents who saw the impending destruction of their children dragged Fr. Prof. Edeh into establishment of schools. Built on the principle of rescue mission, all Fr. Edeh’s institutions are bent on eradicating the ills that bedevil our tertiary institution which include: Cultism, exam malpractice, riot/demonstrations, drug abuse, campus prostitution, excessive freedom, sales of grade for money and or sex etc.

However, this is one of the situations where the common adage which says you can take a horse to a source of water but you cannot force it to drink plays out so well. While many Nigerian youths are celebrating this rare privilege of bearing the worldwide respected certificate of the prestigious Madonna University and her sister institutions, a minority few of the students are still bent on secretly  engaging in   activities that are inimical to the philosophy of this great institutions.

A very clear case here is that of four (4) unscrupulous students in the Okija campus of Madonna University who quite aware that alcohol and other narcotics are not allowed in the institution still went ahead and sneaked them into the University premises at night.

 Caught between the inordinate desire to perpetuate evil, and conscious of the moral consequences of involving in such an act in Madonna, they resorted in locking themselves up in a room where they smoked Indian hemp and drank to stupor. Unfortunately, some of their appliances sparked fire and set the whole room ablaze.

The fire outbreak was noticed immediately but the door was firmly bolted from inside thereby making the room inaccessible until the door was shattered with a heavy object. This ugly situation sad enough affected appallingly the four students that concealed themselves in said room.

What must be Noted by All:

1.      That when the fire was eventually checked, many empty bottles of highly alcoholic drinks were discovered under the beds in that room

2.      Apart from the above, parcels of left over Indian hemp were also recovered from the same room 

3.      That the rescue attempt was delayed because the room was locked from inside.

4.      That the students in question were quite conscious of the gravity of  what they were doing and that informed their decision to lock themselves up .

The University therefore ceases this medium to disabuse the minds of the general public from the false propaganda that the said students were set ablaze by their fellow students. This baseless and unfounded allegation is nothing but a well calculated attempt by some mischievous individuals with the aim of bringing the good name of the institution to disrepute. We however accept it as part of the prices the institution must pay for swimming against the current; never the less, we are not and will never be discouraged in our resolve to sanitize education in Nigeria and beyond. 

Cull from the Madonna University website
From the desk of the public relation officer

Madonna University  

A BRIEF PROFILE OF REV. FR. PROF. E.M.P EDEH, CSSp, OFR

VERY REV. FR. EMMANUEL MATHEW PAUL EDEH CSSP. OFR

HIS LIFE AND WORKS AT A GLANCE

1.         He was born on May 20, 1947 at Nkanu West, Enugu State, Nigeria. There was something extra ordinary about the preceding night especially with the appearance of a glow of light flashing across the sky (a comet). The elders believed it is a sign heralding the birth of a great man or the death of a great man. This is akin to the event of Jesus’ nativity when the Magi were led to the new born child by a star. The next day (20^th May 1947), Omeogo went into labour while processing palm nuts, and without prolonged labour, gave birth to a baby boy to the delight of all and sundry. They were still rejoicing when darkness suddenly descended on earth in the middle of the day – in total eclipse of the sun. There was utter perplexity and confusion all over. The people were relieved after the eclipse and all believed that even the sun bowed in reverence to the child with a golden heart. The child was a real comfort especially to the mother who has suffered the pain of losing her previous children to the cold hands of death.

2.         He grew up under a charitable and peace-loving mother, Mama Omeogo.

3.         Studied in America and majored in Philosophy with his Ph.D. in Metaphysics (1984).

4.         Highlights of Igbo Metaphysics include: Mma-di, Caring/charity, empowerment and peace.

5.         The after-effects of Nigerian Civil war and the goal of EPTAISM (Edeh’s Philosophy of thought and action)

6.         Establishment of Centre for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation, in 1984.

7.         Centre for abjectly poor (Umuogbenye).

8.         Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy Spirit and Medicare centres spreading all over the world.

9.         Establishment of various self-help projects/skill acquisition centres

10.       Founding of the National Pilgrimage Centre Elele

11.       Establishment of schools from Nursery to Tertiary institutions.

12.       Scholarship programmes for less-privileged and handicapped students

13.       Employment and empowerment of the young people of this generation

14.       Specificity of his Private Institutions due to their background in his philosophy of Mma-di cum thought and action all the way. The success stories of Madonna University and other institutions of higher learning, some spectacular and significant achievements of his schools in the National and International scenes.

15.       Projection, popularization and perpetuation of Prof. Edeh’s peace-project through the four flourishing Religious Congregations who will continue the programmes that engender peace in the hearts of people.

16.       Various awards and recognitions given to him as a result of his labour to recover peace in the hearts of people and in the world.

17.       The crown of Fr. Edeh’s contribution to world peace is the establishment of the Madonna International Charity Peace Award (MICPA) in 2006.

18.       Edeh’s Charity Peace Model

19.       Edeh as Servant Leader (Flipped Pyramid Structure)

20.       Millennium Development Goals, Edeh as Pacesetter:

            -           Eradication of Extreme Poverty and hunger

            -           Women/Youth Empowerment

            -           Health care delivery and capacity building.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

FOUNDING OF MADONNA INTERNATIONAL CHARITY PEACE AWARD

The Madonna International Charity Peace Award (MICPA) was founded by Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh. The award institution was inaugurated on 19^th November 2006 during Madonna International Convention held in Madonna University Elele Campus. The inauguration of this institution is one of unflinching efforts to encourage the perpetuation of Mama Omeogo charity through practical and effective charity which have brought peace to millions of suffering people of God all over the world. So, the inauguration of MICPA has a motivational undertone for the charitable people not to relent but to do more. The Peace Award International Institution has a decision making body with Rev. Fr. Prof Edeh as the head. They decide and nominate awardees and their terms of reference among other things include:    

·         To determine the criteria for choosing those who are qualified  for the award

·         To determine the level of one’s achievements in the area of practical and effective charity especially at the grassroots level.

·         To determine the monetary valuation of each awards to the awardees.

It took the decision making body three good years of brain-storming to come up with effective, efficient and a well articulated criteria for the award presentation. The presentation of the first formal charity peace award was done on 9^th January, 2009 at Elele Campus of Madonna University during the first Theological Convention jointly organized in preparation of the second African Synod of Bishops. But one may wisely ask “how did it all start?” To attempt the question, let us look at the background to the Charity Peace Award.

AWARDS GIVEN SO FAR

Since its inception, Madonna International Charity Peace Award has been given out to the following deserving persons:

1.         Mrs. Chris Mary Maduka, the director Omeogo Charity Home Makurdi in Benue State who is deeply committed to gathering and looking after children abandoned in Makurdi Barracks by soldiers. She received an award of fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000),

2.         Most Rev. Rene Maria Ehouzou, the Bishop of Port- Novo, Benin Republic who cares for the destitute and Homeless in Benin Republic. He also received a sum of fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000).

3.         Archbishop Kelvin Felix, who received the sum of sixty thousand Dollars ($60,000) for the care of the suffering children and people of Haiti following the devastating incident of earthquake in the Island in 2010.

4.         Archbishop Fernando Cappalla who received the sum of forty thousand Dollars ($ 40,000) for the care of suffering children of Vietnam and some parts of the Philippines.

5.         Chief Christopher Ezekagu received $20,000 for the abjectly poor children to go to school in 2011.

6.         Mr. N’Jok Bibum Aloysious & Mrs. Magarete Anne Bibum, Cameroon for the Deaf & Dumb School in 2011 received $20,000.

7.         Madame Ngo Djob Marie Catherine for handicapped children in Bepanda Cameroon in 2011 received $20,000

8.         Leanghoin Hoy, a Buddhist from Cambodia for helpless children collected floating on the sea following the catastrophic flood in Cambodia in 2011 received $40,000.

9.         In 2012 the Missionary Sisters of Charity, Calcuta in India for the poor they look after received $40,000.

10.       Also in 2012 Emmanuel Komoda received $10,000 from Yenegoa Bayelsa State to help the flood victims.

11.       In 2012 Deaconnes Debora Aguty received $10,000 from Yenegoa Bayelsa State to help the victims of flood.

12.       In March 2012 family of Mr./Mrs. Emmanuel Obiukwu received cash of =N=200,000, Jeep and full Scholarship at Madonna University to the two of the children remaining (Maureen and Celestine Obiukwu) after bomb blast in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State that killed four  of their children.

CHRONOLOGY OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS RECEIVED BY REV FR PROF EMMANUEL EDEH

In order to avoid distractions from the real motives of his activities, Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh has always avoided attracting unnecessary attention. That is why he had abinitio shunned the idea of snapping pictures or media publication of his works. All he is doing is for the sake of peace to humanity and for the glory of God. Be that as it may, no one can ever cover the moonlight with his palms. People of the world are watching and making assessments of all the works and achievements of Rev. Fr. Prof Edeh and how they are meeting the felt needs of people.

Rev. Fr. Prof, Edeh allowed the publicity of his works, and achievements and also acceptance of awards and recognitions for the reason of encouraging other people in the society to emulate his examples. He has through his work of charity received local and international awards and recognitions, some of which involve the following:

·         On 16^th May, 2001. The International Biography Center, Cambridge, England, honoured   Rev. Fr. Edeh with “Outstanding People of the 21^st Century  Award” in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Religion, Education and care for the handicapped.

·         On February, 2003, International Biography Center, Cambridge,  England also selected him for his outstanding contributions to the Church, Education and the suffering as an “outstanding person of the 21^st century” (1^st edition 2003, pp 4-5, 173-174)

·         On May 20^th 2003, the same International Biography Center, Cambridge, England, honoured him with “outstanding people of the 21^st century” in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of the Church, Education and the suffering.

·         On June 7^th, 2004, the Governing Board of editors of American Biographical Institute: recognized him as one of the “Genius Elite” for his remarkable achievements in the field of Religion, Education and care for the suffering. This award and recognition was documented in the “Leading Intellectuals of the World (3^rd Edition published in 2004).

·         On March 2005, Onitsha and District Society of ICAN, honoured very Rev. Fr Prof Emmanuel Edeh (the father founder, Madonna University, Okija, the first private University in Nigeria) with “Excellent Merit Award” in recognition of   his commitment to improving the standard of education in Nigeria.

·         On 24^th September, 2006, “Proclamation of Rev. Fr Prof Emmanuel Edeh’s Day” of the city of North Miami Beach, Florida. The very words of the mayor of the city of North Miami Beach are:“...I, Raymond .F. Maria, Mayor of the city of North Miami Beach, Florida, do hereby proclaim September  24^TH 2006 as VERY REV. FR. PROF EMMANUEL EDEH DAY, and know that my colleagues, administration and residents join me in recognizing him for translating his incredible thirst for knowledge and understanding, indomitable spirit and abiding love for humanity into meaningful action.”

·         On the 24^th September, 2006, “Proclamation of Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh Day” by the city of Miami Gardens, Florida. The very words of the mayor of the city of Miami Gardens are: “…Be it resolved, that I, Shirlly Gibson, Mayor of the city of Miami Gardens Florida, on behalf of the city council and the residents, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 24^th, 2006, as: “REVEREND FR. EMMANUEL EDEH DAY” in the city of Miami Gardens, Florida. We further urge all citizens to join with us as we recognize Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh on this momentous occasion.

·         On November 30^th, 2008, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria at Corpus et Sangius Christi Cathedral Port Harcourt, Rivers State conferred a papal Honour – “pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh, C.S.SP for his outstanding contributions in the service of God and humanity.

·         On December, 18^th, 2008, the Committee of Face of Nollywood Award conferred the recognition of “Face of Nollywood Giants of Peace in the Modern World” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh for his contributions to development and peace in the modern world.

·         On the same December 18^th, 2008, His Excellency,  President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR, President and Commander in-chief of Armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria conferred the honour /Award, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic “(OFR)” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh for his contributions to the  development and progress of the country  in many fields of human endeavors

·         In March, 2009, Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh was proudly recognized as an “Ambassador for Peace” Federation Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace.

·         On October 23^rd, 2009, the African Film Festival and Academy Awards London (ZAFAA AWARDS)   awarded Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Matthew Paul Edeh the “Zafaa Patrons Award as a result of his contributions to peace in Africa.

·         February 28^th, 2010, Teachers without Borders proudly recognized as Worthy in Characters and Career and Commissioned Fr. Prof E.M.P Edeh as “Millennium Development Ambassador”.

·         September, 11^th,2010, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Enugu State council conferred the honour of “Pillar of Education in Nigeria” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof Emmanuel Edeh (Founder of OSISATECH Polytechnic and college of Education, Madonna and Caritas Universities and other educational Institutions) for his contributions to the development of Education in Nigeria (Onyewuenyi 2010)

·         On December 2^nd 2011, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, conferred the Honour/Award “Great Articulator of African Philosophy” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel M.P. Edeh.

·         December 13^th, 2012, the Global Educators For All Initiative conferred the Honour “Extraordinary Role Model” on Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel M.P. Edeh for his contributions towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

·         December 18^th, 2012, Peace and Conflict Resolution Caritas University, Amorji-Nike Enugu conferred the Award of Excellence to Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Mathew Paul Edeh as a distinguished Lover of Peace/First Articulator of African Philosophy.

·         May 16^th, 2013, the Faculty of Bio Ethics, Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy conferred an  Una Vita per la Vita (a life for life) Award on Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Mathew Paul Edeh for his incomparable contributions to the preservation, protection and promotion of human life in the modern world.

CONCLUSION:

His works and achievements are summarized

in his mission of practical and effective charity developed from his personal prayers for the transformation of the lives of the sick, the suffering, the handicapped, the abjectly poor, the abandoned and troubled youths of the society. The contributions which this mission has made to this effect cannot be over emphasized.

Numerous people who have in one way or the other encountered him through his mission of practical and effective charity confessed that he is peaceful, loving, compassionate, charitable, consistent and persistent, painstaking and intelligent, innovative, and also a disciplinarian.

He actually ramified into different socio-economic aspects of human endeavors during the practical implementations of his mission of effective charity. This effective charity is rooted in his African Philosophy that man is the greatest among God’s work of creation, because he is created in God’s image and likeness as a “good that is” or “mma-di”. His kind of charity work, exemplifies the practical manifestation of God’s care for humanity through man. He has through his charity works brought peace; healing and succor to the minds of people especially the sick, the poor and the suffering. He achieved all these through the Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy Spirit and its offshoot, the Pilgrimage Centre of Eucharistic Adoration and Special Marian Devotion, Elele. People from all over the world now swarm there to find solutions to their spiritual problems.

The faith of the people of God has also been strengthened through the establishment of a museum of charms and fetish objects. Renounced charms and fetish objects surrendered by people are made impotent by sprinkling of Holy Water by him. Afterwards they are kept in the museum for people to see the supremacy of the power of God over that of Satan.

In educational sector he is a guru. He has contributed greatly to the educational sector through the establishment of many schools spanning from kindergarten to the university level. His Madonna University is one of the best in Africa, a corruption free institution. Caritas University is the same.  The Polytechnic & college of Education are special.

His conflict management strategy is practically wonderful. Through his Center for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation, peace has returned to the hearts of men and to the society. Just as Plato and Aristotle articulated Western Philosophy through Greek Metaphysics, he articulated African philosophy through the articulation of Igbo metaphysics. The first of its kind in the history of thought. That is why he is popularly called the “Father of the African philosophy”. If “The world could practically implement the dictates of the African philosophy of being, the chances of engaging in wars with each other will be drastically reduced to the advantage of the world peace.

He has also made tremendous achievements in the care for the poor through his Umuogbenye Center, Motherless Babies Home, rehabilitation center for the troubled youths, medical care for the aged Bishops and priests, scholarship to the handicapped and indigent students to mention but a few.

Madonna International Charity Peace Award (MICPA)

As a motivational strategy, he established a peace charity award institution – the Madonna International Charity Peace Award which he  employed as a means of recognizing the efforts of other people who are emulating him in the area of practical and holistic care for the needy- the sick, the suffering, the abandoned, the handicapped, etc.

FOR CONTINUITY

He established some congregations of religious men and women who from time to time are sent for further studies both in the country and overseas for the purpose of management and administration of the establishments.