There are two factors that gave birth to
Madonna University and her sister institutions- they are, remote and immediate
factors. The remote factor was the pressure on Fr. Prof. Edeh from Nigerian parents
who saw the impending danger of losing their children to the corrupted
educational system in the country, while the immediate factor was the call made
by Pope John II in his encyclical letter code
Ecclesiae. Here the Pope called on dioceses and religious Congregations to
set up Catholic institution with the obligation of advancing the education of
the people of God in such a manner that it takes care of the individual both
physically and spiritually. Consequently, Madonna was therefore conceived and
brought into existence to take care of the aforestated needs.
Governed by the Catholic Philosophy of
Education, Madonna University has grown rapidly and presently enjoys three
campuses. The take off campus at Okija, Anambra State, the main campus at Elele,
Rivers State with the third campus at Akpugo in Enugu State.
This
year’s matriculation ceremony as usual took off at about 10 AM with a
Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Founding Father, Very Rev. Fr.
Prof. E.M.P Edeh, CSSp, OFR. Delivering a sermon during the mass, Rev. Fr.
Michael Melladu, FJS called on the matriculants to make every good use of the
opportunities and privileges God has given them through the spiritual exercises
and the moral formation carried out in Madonna University which distinguishes
her from every other tertiary institution in the country.
In
his matriculation speech, the Vice Chancellor of Madonna University, Prof
Chucks Ezedum congratulated the new students and encouraged them to take their
studies very seriously and graduate in record time and in flying colours. He
further emphasized the intention of the University to produce tomorrow’s
leaders who are academically sound and morally impeccable. According to him, in
keeping with the practical philosophy of the Founding Father, Madonna trains
men and women who will build, keep, and promote peace in our violent oriented
society and therefore assured parents that they are not going to regret their
choice of this noble institution.
In
his speech, the Founder of the prestigious Madonna University, Very Rev. Fr.
Prof. Emmanuel Mathew Edeh, CSSp, OFR recalled that recently, experts have evaluated
and declared Madonna as the most disciplined University in the whole world with
the happiest set of students. According to him, this informs why graduate from
Madonna are accepted all over the world for both further studies and employment
without anybody telling them to make up as it is the case with graduates from
other tertiary institutions in the country. He therefore implored parents and
guardians to take side with the University in the formation of their children/wards
as every decision taken in the school is done for their good.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the
student’s leader thanked God for the gift of Madonna University which she
described as the first of its kind in the whole of West African Sub-region.
According to her, the institution attempts amongst other objectives to confront
and absolutely eradicate vices plaguing our tertiary institutions and which
have prevented them from producing the type of leaders that would build the
peaceful environment that is needed for the development our dear country. She
further maintained that vices such as: Cultism, wanton immorality, indiscriminate
killing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, examination malpractices, ill prepared
lectures, constant strikes, student’s demonstration and the like are not found
within the four walls of Madonna University.
In
his comment, the Registrar of the school, Mr. C. Ezeh maintained that with its
motto as “DECENCY IN EDUCATION AND MORALS” 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 a glorified life in the hereafter.
According to him, the institution gives 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 the Registrar insist is
achieved through creation of a positive social climate in the institution;
climates where hierarchical bureaucracies are displaced with open accessibility
to the authorities. “Our students as a matter of fact have free access to the
Founder, the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor and indeed all other principal
officers of the institution” and this has serious positive implications in
their moral and intellectual formation.
Most
of the parents who came around to celebrate with their wards were of the
opinion that training one’s children in Madonna was the wisest thing to do as
the institution puts in serious and concerted efforts to monitor the movements
of the students with proper view of guidance and counselling. That over the
years, the school has proven herself to be a place where sincere and rigorous
application of the principles of justice and fair play are applicable to all.
Consequently,
all the campuses of this institution are therefore seen as a large academic
family where there is respect for everyone irrespective of rank, religion,
race, gender or nationality. The Registrar further emphasized that Products of
this great institution are therefore through their training moulded into
formidable leaders of tomorrow who can turn our society around and create a
favourable environment for peace and development.
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