The Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and Proprietor of Shanahan University Onitsha, Anambra State, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has commissioned the Shanahan University Garden ahead of the official resumption of students at the university’s permanent site.
The commissioning ceremony, which took place at the permanent site, attracted top priests of the Archdiocese and management staff of the university.
Archbishop Okeke was accompanied by the Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Prudentius Emeka Aroh; the Vice chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife; the Financial Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Philip Ibeneme; the Education Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Pascal Onwugbenu; as well as priests working at the Archdiocesan Secretariat and Shanahan University.
Also present was the Vice Chancellor of Shanahan University, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Dominic Obielosi, and other staff members.
Commissioning the garden, Archbishop Okeke expressed delight at the quality of work done. He blessed the garden and prayed that it would be conducive for all who would use it.
He prayed against any evil plan targeted at the garden and the university, declaring that such plans would return to the sender.
“May the students who will study in this University excel in academics, character and morals, and become useful to themselves, their families and society in general,” Archbishop Okeke prayed.
He disclosed that the garden was built in honour of Bishop Joseph Ignatius Shanahan, CSSp, after whom the university is named.
Speaking shortly after the commissioning, the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Obielosi, said the garden remains an integral part of the university and would serve as a place for relaxation after lectures and daily academic activities.
Fr. Obielosi added that the garden would also serve as a place for prayer, meditation, peace and tranquillity, noting that man is a composite of body and soul, as taught by St. Thomas Aquinas.
He assured that there would be no room for immorality in the garden, stressing that character formation remains a core part of the university’s mission.
“This is a Catholic university. We shall do our best to ensure that morality is upheld. We have our security men, we shall direct them on what to do, and we have already discussed with some of our priests,” he said.
Fr. Obielosi, who served as Rector of Holy Family Youth Village, Amansea, Awka, for 17 years, announced that new students are expected to move into the permanent site by November 17, 2026.
He disclosed that old students had volunteered to clean up lecture halls, hostels and the environment in preparation for the resumption.
Also speaking, the Civil Engineer who constructed the garden, Engr. Kachy Idu, revealed that the project took one year to complete.
Engr. Idu, who has been in engineering practice since 2013, said his company has executed several projects at the permanent site, including the completed male hostel, lecture halls, and the university chapel, while other works are still ongoing.
He said the garden was designed purely as a relaxation point for students after lectures, and commended Archbishop Okeke for creating a recreation centre where students could relax and refresh after academic work.
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