The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most. Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor has explained the reason behind the establishment of Peter University, Achina, Aguata Local Government Area by the Catholic diocese of Awka.
He noted that the Church was encouraged in the tertiary education venture by the successes attained in the running of the primary and secondary schools, while ealso expressing hope that the church will also do well in the university education.
Speaking on the choice of Peter as the name of the university, Ezeookafor said a combination of fact and desire made the Diocese to name it after St Peter.
“First, the fact is that the take off campus is St. Peter’s Secondary School, Achina. Second, the desire is to name it after the Apostle Peter who is the Rock upon which Christ established His Church. The biblical peter converted from a lowly fisherman to become the head of the apostles and that’s the idea here,” Ezeokafor said.
He added that the committee charged with the establishment of the university choose, Achina in Aguata because it is the oldest and most famous of the Catholic Secondary Schools in Awka Diocese and was inexorably, as it were chosen as the takeoff campus for the proposed University.”
He continued, “Having decided to use St. Peter’s Secondary School as take off campus it became
evident that the size of the secondary school was too small for even a modest university. Therefore, a series of negotiations were held with over 200 persons, who claimed ownership to portions of land adjoining St. Peter’s Secondary School, Achina, and all those were taken care of.
Bishop Ezeokafor stated that efforts are being intensified to get the Physical Master Plan document as well as the physical structures of the university; buildings, roads, electricity, water adding that all of these would be ready in the nearest future.
ENDS.
