Preparations are in top gear for the grand launch of the first Jesuit University in Africa, to be known as Loyola Jesuit University (LJU).
Towards realizing this laudable project; the Jesuits are therefore organizing its first fundraising dinner for the first phase of the university.
The dinner holds on Friday, July 6, 2012, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 6.p.m, with a cocktail party.
Dignitaries expected at the historic occasion include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former secretary-general of Commonwealth, who will chair the event, while Professor Pat Utomi is the guest speaker.
The dinner will be anchored by the duo of Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Sunny Irabor.
It will also be attended by other eminent Nigerians, the clergy, royal fathers as well as some ministers and state governors.
According to the chief host and Provincial Superior of the ANW Jesuits, Very Rev. Fr. Jude Odiaka, SJ:
“LJU will become the first Jesuit University in Africa. It will be a multi-campus university 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.”
Speaking further on why they are floating the university, Odiaka said: “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).”
For further information please contact: Fr. Ibe Oguh, SJ, on 07067509645; 01-773-3535; www.jesuits-anw.org