Okeke Lays Foundation for Shanahan University Rectory
By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The proprietor of Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has laid the foundation block for a rectory house at Shanahan University, Onitsha.
The event took place at the university’s permanent site in Trans-Nkisi Layout, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The building project was donated by the family of Engineer Ikem Osanakpo in memory of their late parents, Louis and Kate Osanakpo.
Praying for the project, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, who also serves as the Archbishop of the Onitsha Archdiocese, prayed for God to bless the donor, Engineer Ikem Osanakpo, and his family, as well as to grant successful completion of the building through His Holy Name.
He also prayed for the progress and development of the university, its students, and the priests who will reside in the rectory, as well as the entire staff and management of the institution.
Meanwhile, the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Paschal Onwugbenu, also prayed for the speedy completion of the project, while some lay faithful offered prayers for the institution and the welfare of its students.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, the donor, Engineer Ikem Osanakpo, who spoke on behalf of his family, explained that he donated the project in order to immortalize his late parents, Louis and Kate Osanakpo.
He added that the essence of donating the project to the university was to give back to the Onitsha community, the Church, and society at large.
“I want to contribute to the progress of the Onitsha community. We are part of Onitsha. We will begin to change the image of Onitsha. When you talk of Onitsha, all you will hear is commerce. We will use this opportunity to associate Onitsha with education, and I feel happy that we are part of it. I dedicate the project to our late parents, Louis and Kate Osanakpo.”
Contributing, the contractor handling the project, Engineer Uche Ubajiaka, described the building as “fantastic,” reaffirming that Engineer Ikem Osanakpo and his family donated it to the university.
He disclosed that the building would be a befitting edifice where priests working in the university would live, emphasizing that it would be a five-floor structure with several rooms.
Engineer Ubajiaka, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grunz Link Nigeria Limited, commended the magnanimous act of the Ikem Osanakpo family in donating the project to the Church, and prayed that God would replenish them for donating the building to the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.
Dignitaries at the event included numerous priests and members of the Osanakpo family; the Vice Chancellor of the Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife; the Vice Chancellor of Shanahan University, Onitsha, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor; the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Paschal Onwugbenu; the Onitsha Archdiocesan Communications Director, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike; Very Rev. Fr. Barr. Justice Ileka; the Shanahan University site supervisor, Rev. Fr. Charles Otuto; Engineer Oguama; among others.
