File copy: Cardinal John Onaiyekan with President Buhari

The Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on the Federal Government to invest more in the education sector of the country.

Onaiyekan made the call in his address at the fourth and fifth convocation of the university held on Wednesday in Bwari Area Council, FCT.

159 graduating students of the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 batch of the University were awarded various degrees during the convocation.

According to the cleric, education is to the development of any nation; government and the organised private sector must key into it to enhance growth of the country.

“Let me reiterate that education is not an end but a means; it is not filling of a bucket but the rekindling of a fire or the lighting of a candle.

“Education remains the royal pathway to and for personal and national development; no amount of investment in education is a waste.

“We must continue to invest in education as students, parents, communities, organisations and governments,” Onaiyekan said.

He commended the graduates for the relentless efforts and urged them to explore the knowledge and skills so far acquired to achieve growth in life.

In his remarks, Veritas University Council Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, said that the institution would continue to focus on education as the bedrock of society.

He sought support for the institution to promote education of young people, as doing such was a social responsibility and not a commercial enterprise.

“The Governing council is constantly conscious that education is an instrument for the propagation of knowledge,” he said.

Obinna urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the University and to always uphold the virtue of doing the right things in their endeavours.

Prof. Michael Kwanashie, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said that there were a total of 72 graduates in the 2014/2015 session and 87 grandaunts 2015/2016.

“In the 2014/2015 batch, five people graduated with First Class, 17 with Second Class Upper, 44 with Second Class Lower and six with Third Class degrees.

“In the 2015/2016 set, five people graduated with First Class, 40 with Second Class Upper, 35 with Second Class Lower and five with Third Class degrees,” Kwanashie said.

Miss Nwachukwu Nikiruka, recipient of the best student award who spoke on behalf of the grandaunts, thanked the management of the school and parents for the support and other contributions to their academic success.

“We are very grateful for your support and contributions throughout our course of study,” Nikiruka said.

NAN reports that the ceremony featured a church service, academic procession, convocation addresses, valedictory and induction of Veritas University, Abuja Alumni.

(NAN)