A Christian group, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, LCCN, has announced that the church has made progress in its quest to establish the Lutheran University, with the attainment of some of the requirements laid down by the National Universities Commission, NUC.
The Archbishop, who is the President of the Lutheran World Federation, Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus, said in a letter to the 2 thousand church congregation in Nigeria, that the church had obtained 161.9 hectares of land in Demsa, Adamawa State for the University, as well as the traditional and local government certificates of occupancy while anticipating the Certificate of Occupancy of the Adamawa State Government.
Archbishop Filibus said Environmental Impact Assessment on the Land had been conducted and awaiting the certificate from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“Industrial boreholes will soon be in place and moulding of blocks about to start. Key documents required such as Academic Brief, University Law and Masterplan are ready,” said Archbishop Filivus.
He attributed the achievements to the effort, commitment and support of the 2 thousand-Member congregations of the LCCN, LCCN partners and friends towards the actualization of the University Project.
“I am also delighted to inform you that our partner, the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, ELCA, is willing to stand with us towards actualizing this vision. The synod has dedicated Sunday 21 November 2021 for raising awareness and mobilizing support in all its congregations. This is a huge sacrifice for our children’s future, which we must appreciate and reciprocate!” said Archbishop Filibus.
According to him, LCCN leaders have also decided that a day be set aside to create awareness, as well as raise funds for the University,
“Therefore, the LCCN Executive Council has dedicated the same Sunday 21 November as a special day for prayers, awareness and fundraising for the proposed University. Each congregation is asked to hold a special offering on 21 November for the project. Lutheran University Nigeria is achievable!”
The Archbishop highlighted the vision and purpose for the establishment of the University and the level the church had reached in the implementation process, saying for 108 years, the LCCN has been providing quality education.
He said the need to establish a Lutheran University had become urgent, going by the numbers of school leavers LCCN Schools were producing every year.
“Our secondary schools have been producing the best potential University candidates with the best results but who, unfortunately, either do not always get enrolled or not considered for their preferred courses of study. Because of these and other challenges, the General Church Council considered the crucial need to establish Lutheran University Nigeria so that our children will have the opportunity to further their education. I am excited to inform you that we are moving towards realizing this dream,” said Archbishop Filibus.
He called on LCCN members, friends of the Church, as well as those who believe in the vision to support the actualization of this vision, by informing friends and contributing financially.
Equally so, the Lutheran Archbishop in Nigeria said each Church Council was required to discuss how to garner support from individual members and the congregation to support the vision.
Source: Voice of Nigeria