CLIFFORD UNI:ikpeazu encourages student to imbibe good characters

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Thursday charged pioneer students of Clifford University, Ihie in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia, to acquire good character to enable them survive in today’s world.

Ikpeazu spoke on Friday during the maiden matriculation of Clifford University.

“It is important that I inform these young ones here today that diplomas and degrees are awarded to people found worthy in character and learning."

“It is important to be found worthy in not only in learning but also in character."

“Today, what we find across Nigeria are all institutions of higher learning, but most of them are unfortunately devoid of moulding character."

“And the world is in need of people with character, more that the world is in need of people with learning."

“Therefore, if you lack character, you will find it difficult to thrive in the world of today."

“So let your greatest emphasis all the hours you will spend in Ihie, let it be that you be found worthy in character and learning, but more so in character”, he said.

He said that institutions like Clifford University, which emphasis on character moulding had come to fill the gap other higher institutions could not fill.

Prof. Ted Wilson, visitor to the institution, represented by Dr Elie Dido, thanked God for a dream realised and prayed that the university will expand to become the biggest and the best.

He said that Clifford University was fulfilling the teaching ministry of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to “educate the head and the heart.’’

Wilson urged the students to work hard to receive the best the institution has to offer and charged them not to waste the resources invested on them.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chimezie Omeonu, said that the 89 students were admitted into 11 departments, under the faculties of Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Sciences.

He said that the university was named after Pastor and Mrs Jesse Clifford from England, who were the first Seventh Day Adventist missionaries in 1905 to preach the gospel in Eastern Nigeria.

He noted that Clifford while ministering in Aba, started a primary school and laid the foundation for Adventist education in Eastern Nigeria.

Miss Deborah Solomon, speaking on behalf of the pioneer students, said that they were happy that God made the day of their matriculation a reality.

She called for pray and support for the new university.