Paul Varsity targets foreign students from Togo, Ghana, Benin Republic

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, says it will expand its admission scope to accommodate foreign students as part of the innovation programmes to make the university a world-class.

The proprietor of the university, Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim( PhD), said this during the inauguration of members of the governing council of the university on Saturday.

He said Paul University, a higher institution owned by the Awka diocese, would henceforth extend the scope of its admission to students in Sub-Saharan Africa of Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana and and beyond.

He said the institution would begin to run purely as a business venture, adding that he had put together a team that would pioneer the activities of the institution, with the aim of making it a world-class university that would enroll students across the world.

The bishop who conducted a mini church service before the session commenced, took his gospel from Ecclesiastes 3: 14, thusly,”I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.”

Admonishing the workers to be guided by the Biblical verse,the Bishop inaugurated the new governing council, which had Prince Dr Emeka Eze, a medical practitioner of the Toronto Hospital, Onitsha as Pro Chancellor, alongside 25 other members, including :House of Representatives member, Prof Lilian Orogbu, Prof Ben Osisioma, Prof. Carol Umeoji, Prof Rose Nwankwo.

In his acceptance speech, the Pro Chancellor, Emeka Eze( nephew of oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze) said, “Members of this council were distilled, and from all walks of life. We have come together to build a university that will be an icon for the next generation. Paul University that will create a better Nigeria and build human resources. Let’s work with zeal, clean heart and forthrightness.

“This business will not be easy. It will require time and intellect. We will mobilize a huge amount of funding to be able to move the university forward, and I trust that we have men and women who can drive it.”

Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Venerable (Prof ) Obiora Nwosu, said, “Paul University has been struggling to survive but succour has come with the Awka Diocese take over of the university. God who is on His everlasting throne in heaven has heard our prayers. To Him alone be all the praises and glory.

He added that under the present management of the university that came on board in the mid 2021, 19 old academic programmes had been
re-accredited .

He said,”The last six programmes were visited by the NUC in December,2023. All the re-accreditation have always been very successful. By the grace of God, the last 6 will be successful too.

“There are salary arrears to be cleared. The details and actual amount will be tabled to the new council. The salary arrears needs to be paid off, ” the VC stated.
The VC announced that the Council of Legal Education would be visiting the law programme of the university, stating the law students of the university would not be allowed to go to Law School without the university scaling through CLE’s accreditation.

The VC said the Board of Health Information Management would equally be coming for professional accreditation, noting that all those would require funding.

He noted that there were a cute shortage of classrooms, offices, lecture theatres, hostels and laboratories, adding “If there are at least 1000 to 2000 JAMB candidates we can be mobilizing from the secondary schools in Awka Diocese every new academic year, Paul University will never lack fund”.

Our correspondent gathered that Paul University before 2021 was formerly owned by the 55 Anglican Dioceses East of Niger.