FR. EDEH AND EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Main Entrance of Madonna University Elele Campus

Fr. Edeh

Founder of Madonna University

Stabilizes Education in Nigeria

In his encyclical letter code Ecclesiae “Pope John Paul II of Blessed Memory charged the Catholic Universities with the obligation of advancing the education of the people of God. Madonna University was therefore conceived and founded as a response to this ecclesiastical mandate. Being the first of its kind in the whole of west Africa, the institution attempts amongst other objectives to confront and absolutely eradicate these vices plaguing our tertiary institutions, these include: Cultism, wanton immorality, drug abuse, sexual harassment and sundry examination malpractices ranging from hiring of examination ‘writers’ absenteeism on the part of some lecturers, ill prepared lectures, constant strikes, student’s demonstration and what have you.

With its motto as “decency in education and moral” Madonna realizes the dualistic nature of man (body and soul) and therefore, prepares and delivers a well oriented high quality University education that is aimed at preparing the student for a fruitful life here on earth and fulfilled life in heaven

The institution takes as her priority, the aim to provide a sound moral and ethical education that directs the conscience of the student towards behaving well and avoiding evil, towards a wholesome love of God and neighbour. This is achieved through creation of a positive social climate in the institution; a climate where hierarchical bureaucracies are displaced with open accessibility to the authorities. For instance in Madonna, the students have the phone numbers of both the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor; they equally have the right to lodge their complaints to them at any time of the day. Serious and concerted efforts are also made to monitor the movements of the students with proper view of guidance and counseling. Here, sincerity and rigorous application of the principles of justice and fair play are applicable to all. Madonna is therefore seen as a large academic family where there is respect for everyone irrespective of rank, religion, race or nationality.

In Madonna University, the emphasis placed on academic excellence is the same amount of accent placed on character formation and good moral conduct. It is an institution  where people come in as youths with shrouded visions and graduates as well  formed citizens properly equipped to go out and wage war against  the ills that bedevil our continent.        

A common saying goes thus “if a child is crying and pointing towards a particular direction continuously, its mother must be there”. Now it is an indisputable fact that everyone both in this country and abroad makes reference to Madonna whenever the question of quality education is raised. It becomes therefore evident that the onus lies with this noble University to carry out this salvific act of restoring the dignity of man through her all-encompassing system of education. Just as the Holy Father passionately demanded, Madonna is bent on remaining an ideal University where the professors and the students come together with a single purpose of seeking the truth in all aspects of knowledge and building the individual person in such a manner that makes the essence of human existence realistic.