The common adage that the development and progress of any nation is synonymous to its quality of education has not yet come under any serious contention. Consequently, politicians in Nigeria have always built their political manifestoes around bettering the education sector of the country. Unfortunately however, series of administration, both military and democratic have come and gone leaving our schools in a more devastating state than they met them-the state which has resulted to the turnout of half baked graduates.
Whenever the issue of educational decay in Nigeria is raised, the question that seems to be on many lips is: who is to blame for all these unfortunate happenings? A critical study of the calamities that bedevil our universities and other Tertiary Institutions proves that our youths are in most cases seduced into vices by the very authorities that are obliged to direct them aright. This seduction comes in form of exorbitant charges in the sales of hand out (handbill), awarding of unmerited grades to students, soliciting directly or indirectly for gratification before granting merited favours, unnecessary delay of results and sales of grades for money and or sex by both male and female lecturers.
It is to correct the above abnormalities that Caritas University and her sister institutions (Madonna University, OSISATECH Polytechnic and OSISATECH College of Education) were conceived and founded. This year’s matriculation into the young but famous Caritas University took place ON 28TH DAY OF JUNE, 2014. THE event took off with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Michael Melladu, FJS who called down God’s blessings on the matriculants as he commended them to take God seriously in all their dealings.
Rev. Fr. Benjamin Eneje while giving a homily at the mass urged the new students to marry their academic life with spiritual and moral formation as this would distinguish them from graduates of other tertiary institutions who lack the type of up-bringing which they are privileged to receive.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Caritas University, Prof. Bernard E. Alumode asserted that there has been a rapid decline in the Nigerian educational system for the last 4 decades where standards have fallen, and access to education is being priced out of the reach of the ordinary Nigerian. That the public school system which has served our nation creditably, and to which majority of Nigerians born before 1990 owe their education is in the state of shamble. Caritas University and her sister institutions, the Vice Chancellor maintained came to rescue the nation from this impending intellectual doom. He congratulated the matriculants for scaling through all the hurdles that stood between them and their ambition for a University education even as implored them to make use of the golden opportunity
In his speech, the Founder of the University who was represented by Rev. Fr. Michael Melladu, FJS told the matriculants to count themselves blessed and favoured as studying in Caritas has so many advantages that go with it, ranging from easy employment, acceptance of the certificate in every part of the world- both for employment and further studies. He therefore admonished them to avoid all negative influences from any corner of the campus and make use of every positive opportunity that presents itself as time wasted can never be recovered. While congratulating the parents, the Founder told them that bringing their children and wards into Caritas is the wisest decision they have ever taken and there will be no cause to regret it.
The student who spoke on behalf of the matriculants commended the management of Caritas University for the holistic formation given to the students. According to him, the institution is one of the best places any reasonable student would dream to be. That here, students are avail with all that it takes for them to succeed. He finally called on parents to bring more of their children and wards to be trained in Caritas as this is the surest way of bringing up responsible people who would look after them in their old age.
The ceremony came to its apex when the new students took the matriculation oath where they promised to obey all constituted authorities and keep to the school rules and regulations. Most of the parents who came to cerebrate with their children and wards explained that the choice of Caritas was a necessary one when one puts into consideration the state of decay in Nigerian educational sector. According to them, they had to send their children to Caritas because it makes no sense to train someone where he or she will remain a total liability to you even in your old age.
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