By Raphael Okhiria and Bassey Bassey, Benin City
The Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa in Edo State, has inaugurated its Governing Council, with a retired high court judge, Hon. Justice Roland Izebe Amaize (FCArb), as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai auditorium in the institution’s permanent site in Evbuobanosa community, situated along Benin-Agbor road in Edo State.
Founder and Chancellor of the university, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, who performed the colourful inauguration ceremony, witnessed by a cream of the society, expressed joy over the high calibre of personalities that the board is made up of, and enjoined the board members to work assiduously to take the young institution to the highest pinnacle of academic standards.
Other members of the Governing Board, includes Engr. Osadolor Oweiadolor, Prof. Anthony Imianvan, Elder F. O. Idehen, Rev. Prof. David Osifo, Hon. Dcns. Irene Imilar, a representative each of the Edo State Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission
It would be recalled that prior to its upgrade to a degree awarding institution, the Lighthouse University was a federal government approved private Polytechnic, running ordinary and higher diploma programmes, until recently when it was transformed to a full degree awarding institution approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) having met with the required standards by the commission.
Omobude who’s also the General Superintendent of the Gospel Light International Ministries – New Covenant Gospel Church, with headquarter in Benin City, expressed gladness and gratitude to God almighty for making his envisioned dream become a reality, saying that the transformation of the institution from a polytechnic to a full fledged university, is an “uncommon milestone” and named it “Sunshine Hill”
According to the former national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the conception of the university was birthed in 1989 to provide affordable and qualitative standard of education to the people.
He credited the success story to the almighty God for the vision, ability, good health, and provision of the resources to make the project a resounding success.
Rev. Dr. Omobude expressed optimism that everything possible will be done for the rapid progress and development of the young university, while performing its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to the host community (Evbuobanosa) which is also his ancestral community.
The Chancellor of Lighthouse University declared that the apex institution is not just coming to make a number but that it would be providing quality education to prospective individuals and will ensure the production of globally competitive graduates grounded in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“It is my expectation that the Lighthouse University will be home where great scholars are born and world changers are created and empowered. I also expect that life changing innovations will begin to emerge from the university in the foreseeable future”, he said.
The vision of Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, the Founder added is “to be hands-on institution, providing technological and management solutions as well as a lighthouse of moral and spiritual development.”
Also speaking, the newly inaugurated Pro-Chancellor, Justice Roland Izebe Amaize, expressed gratitude to Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude for finding him worthy to be appointed to the exalted position.
The septuagenarian who had an impressive career in the Bench before retiring as a high court judge few years ago, has Master of Laws Degree and he’s a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCArb).
The elated pioneer Pro-Chancellor of the Lighthouse University, stated that as someone who had “served as a chairman in a board like this before for 19 years, I will deployed my wealth of experience, academic knowledge and pray for divine wisdom to direct me in this enormous task ahead.”
He disclosed his intention to tackle social vices, attracting investments,TETFUND grants on researches to the school, even as he expressed optimism that the Chancellor being an upright man of God, teamwork, and divine direction will help him to move the university to an enviable height within the next few years.
Justice Amaize who holds the position of an Elder in the New Covenant Gospel Church, is happily married with children.
Also, the Vice Chancellor of Lighthouse University, Prof. Anthony Imianvan who has been working assiduously right from when the institution was Lighthouse Polytechnic, noted that the upgrade is aimed at competing amongst the comity of citadel of learning in the country in particular and the world at large.
He disclosed that the Lighthouse University is currently admitting students into the NUC accredited three faculties, eight departments and 15 programmes, including faculties of Mass Communication; Political Science; and Management Sciences; and departments of Sociology; Biological Sciences; Computer Sciences; Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Computer Engineering, amongst others.
Also speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the secretary of Evbuobanosa community, Mr Anthony okoro, expressed joy and unending gratitudes to God and their illustrious son (Rev. Omobude) who hails from the community for his decision not to only engage in massive development of the area but also by prioritizing the welfare needs of the members of the host community.
He promised that members of the community would guard the university jealousy by working in synergy with the school, relevant bodies or groups to ensure an all round the clock security and safety for the staff, students and property of the young university.
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