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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Saturday, inaugurated Amadeus University in Amizi, Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, emphasising that education remains the most powerful tool for advancing civilisation.
Speaking at the university’s maiden matriculation ceremony, Akpabio reaffirmed his belief in the transformative power of education, stating: “We gather here not just to mark the beginning of a university but to proclaim, to all who have ears to hear and hearts to feel, that education is the mightiest weapon in the arsenal of civilisation.
“Education is a beacon that shall shine through the darkness of ignorance, guiding young minds towards the shores of wisdom and greatness. History has shown us, again and again, that nations rise and fall not by the strength of their armies nor the vastness of their resources, but by the quality of their education and the spirit of their people.
“Knowledge is the fire that fuels invention, the light that dispels oppression, and the ladder by which men and women ascend to their fullest potential.”
Represented by the senator for Abia Central, Austin Akobundu, the Senate President advised: “Therefore, let us not see this as an ordinary event. Let us see it as a call to arms, a battle cry for knowledge, a declaration that we will do our part to ensure Nigeria is not found wanting in the great contest of nations. The universities of the world are the factories of the future, and those who neglect them do so at their peril.”
He emphasised that the university was founded “not merely to pass on information, but to shape character, forge leaders, and cultivate minds that shall dream, dare, and do. The students who pass through these gates must not be content to merely exist—they must aspire, strive, and conquer the challenges of our age.”
Advising the matriculants, he said: “You are the hope of our country. Upon your shoulders rests the weight of our collective aspirations. Yours is the task of pushing back the frontiers of ignorance, solving the great riddles of our time, and ensuring that our nation takes its rightful place among the most enlightened on earth. Education is the one true path to a Nigeria that is industrialised, prosperous, and viable.
“Let none of you shrink from the rigours of learning. There will be times when the road is hard, when the nights are long when doubt whispers in your ear that you are not equal to the task. But stand firm, hold fast, for it is only through perseverance that great achievements are born. And it is only the test of fire that makes fine steel. Resolve now, in the depths of your being, that you shall never surrender to mediocrity, never yield to despair, never abandon the pursuit of knowledge.”
Speaking on the government’s role, Akpabio stated: “As the present custodians of this great republic by your kind mandate, our duty is clear. We must guard, strengthen, and expand the frontiers of education with unyielding determination. We must ensure that every child, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the quiet hamlets of Abia, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and excel. This is not a choice; it is an imperative. A nation that fails to educate its youth has already written its obituary.
“We in government must not only enact policies but ensure that they are carried out with vigour, vision, and veracity. We must encourage institutions like Amadeus University to thrive, innovate, and stand as bastions of intellectual might. And we must invite the private sector, philanthropists, and all men of goodwill to join in this sacred mission.”
Earlier in his address, the founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Godwin Nwabunka, said the establishment of the university “is the product of vision, hard work, and the belief that with God at the centre, no challenge is too great and no dream is impossible to achieve.” He added that the university “was envisioned to do more than teach: it was founded as a crucible to empower, inspire, and shape the next generation of African leaders.”
He further stated: “The university is more than just classrooms, lecture halls, hostels, and offices. It is a home for those who think outside the box and seek to make a difference in the world. Our mission is clear: to produce graduates who are academically excellent, morally grounded, and globally competitive. Our ambition is to harness the richness of this land—from the strength of our community to its abundant natural resources—and use these to create a catalyst for wider development, not just for our communities but for Abia State, Nigeria, and the world at large.
“This vision is grounded in the pursuit of knowledge. We are here to ignite a fire in the young minds before us, inspiring them to become changemakers, shining the light to illuminate and eventually transform every aspect of our society, unearthing the treasures that lie within, and converting waste into opportunity.”
Nwabunka acknowledged the contributions of the university’s institutional promoter, Grooming Centre, stating: “The alignment between Grooming Centre and Amadeus University is a symbiotic relationship that should be a model for the interplay between industry and academia, with net positive effects on national development.”
Addressing the students, he said: “Our emphasis on practical knowledge and strong ethical footing will prepare you for life beyond these walls. In your academic journey here, you will be challenged, you will be stretched, and at times, you may stumble. But remember that every great journey is marked by perseverance.”
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Mbadike Nzotta, explained: “The students matriculating today shall pursue four- or five-year degree programmes in the Science and Computing, Social and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Engineering faculties of the university. They have been admitted across the 19 National Universities Commission (NUC) approved programmes.”
He urged students to focus on personal development. “I advise all our students to resist the evils associated with social media platforms and the fake and easy life that is predominant on most of these platforms. It is also important for students to strive to acquire relevant skills and knowledge available at the university, which shall position them to be visionary and development-oriented leaders in their areas of specialisation.”
On scholarships, the VC stated: “The founder of the university and Grooming Centre, Lagos, have put in place some scholarship schemes for selected students of the university. Additionally, another scholarship scheme for the best-performing students has been instituted. These schemes should spur the freshmen and women to strive for academic excellence during their studies.”
The occasion was graced by chieftains of industry, academics, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Prof. Onyebuchi Azubuike, a representative of Kwankwasiya Movement leader Alh. Rabiu Kwankwaso, a member of the Governing Council of the North East Development Commission, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, and traditional rulers, among others.
