The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Veritas University

  • Veritas University awards degree to 109 students

    Veritas University, Abuja will on Saturday award various classes of degrees to no fewer than 109 students.

    About 10 students will be awarded First Class and 46 Second Class degrees at the seventh convocation ceremony of the university.

    Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku disclosed this during a briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said degrees will also be awarded to 32 post graduate students of the university.

    According to him, the university is looking to expand its program next session.

    READ ALSO: Veritas varsity and peace-development nexus

    He said about 13 new programs will be introduced by the university in the 2019/2020 session, which will commence in September.

    The programs include; law, theatre art, sociology, psychology, physiology, environmental health sciences, medical laboratory sciences, electrical and electronics engineering and quantity survey.

    The VC said: “I am happy to announce to you that the university will be starting its law program and 12 new others in September. A lot of people have been asking us about our law and theatre programs. There have been serious demand on them.

     “We have gathered a lot of people with the requisite legal expertise to start running programs in law, theatre arts, psychology, theology, pharmacology, among others.

     “Our goal is to produce graduates that are highly competitive in the market.”

  • I have nothing aginst nude shoots –Face of Candycity winner

    I have nothing aginst nude shoots –Face of Candycity winner

    Emmanuella Duke is the newly crowned queen of online pageantry, Face of CandyCity. The 300 Level Public Administration student of Veritas University, Abuja, who won at glamorous finals in Lagos recently. In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, speaks on the challenges she faced during the competition, her parents’ reluctant approval of her participation and other issues. Excerpts  

    HOW would you describe your journey before Face of CandyCity?

    I would say it was quite interesting though very challenging due to the fact that there were a lot of setbacks in which people around me described as signs of bad luck. From when the pictures were taken down when I was leading the online voting to my exams clashing with the camp period and being shifted few days to camp down to when I almost missed my flight.

    And when I was locked out because of my camp letter (at this point I already concluded the organizers disliked me but I didn’t mind. I was still focused and smiling) then to the main event when my makeup artist disappointed. It even got to a point where I typed a withdrawal letter but my mind wasn’t at rest. I didn’t feel alright with quitting so I had to face my challenges, pull through with it and finish what I started. And it turned out that the said bad luck signs were actually signs of good luck, which is all to the glory of God.

    How did you get to know about the face of CandyCity?

    I got to know about Face of CandyCity Nigeria through Instagram… yes, and that was in 2015 during (the reign of) Onyinye Ilechukwu popularly known as Sassy Somma.

    You were contestant number 60; did you ever think you would win?

    Yes, to be honest, I believed in myself and I had faith in God as well. Though there were times I had negative thoughts but I didn’t allow that overpower the positive vibes. But then, it wasn’t a do or die thing for me and the girls were everything smart, beautiful and hardworking.

    If you are to judge, what would you say gave you an edge ahead of other contestants?

    I’d say my personality, my confidence and maybe my smile. Don’t mind me, my smile is just something I like.

    Before emerging the winner, what was your everyday life like?

    My everyday life… I was just a normal student with nothing going on except academics. At some point in life, I used to dance but I stopped that when I got admitted into the university.

    What are your plans for the next one year of your reign?

    As a beauty queen, people look up to me. So I automatically play the role of a role model, an advocate of social service and a goodwill ambassador. The magnetic personality of a title holder attracts a lot of people’s attention and to sensitize the public about targeted social problems, this, in turn, helps raise funds for the eradication of these problems. What I am saying, in essence, is that my duty as a beauty queen is to be a role model, raise funds and be a goodwill ambassador.

    Are you in a relationship presently?

    Yes, I am in a relationship.

    As a pretty lady, men must be dying to have you….what’s your kind of man?

    A caring, hardworking, good looking and God fearing man who has a proper understanding of our individual differences.

    How old are you?

    I am 20 years old.

    You are 20 years old and you have a relationship already. What attracts you to him?

    At 20, I am an adult. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being in a harmless relationship.

    For you, is money love?

    Money is not love but the money complements love because at times there are things you would love to do with your partner to spice up the relationship and keep you guys going and you may not be able to do them because of financial issues. But then, the money must not necessarily be in excess.

    How do you intend to make your impact as the Face of CandyCity?

    I intend to work effortlessly towards the actualisation of my project which focuses on domestic violence. I think the fight against domestic violence is not as effective as it should be. Domestic violence is a crime against human nature and I believe if we preach the gospel of the effect it leaves in our lives, it can be minimized.

    Aside that I also intend to give back to the society especially the needy in every possible way I can and to contribute positively to the growth of the brand in which I represent. I am open for collaborations on any idea or program that will put smiles on people’s faces, happiness and joy to their hearts.

    What do you think about nude photo shoots? Would you dare it?

    I don’t have a problem with nude photo shoots as people have different perspectives and also different ways of interpreting things and also appreciating their body. But personally, I can’t do that.

    With all the negative news on pageantry, what were your parents’ take about you going into the competition?

    At first, my dad was skeptical about the whole idea but with the help of my sisters and success stories of the past pageant winners, he was able to see the positive side of pageantry.

  • Catholic women to build N600m female hostel in Abuja

    Catholic women to build N600m female hostel in Abuja

    The National Confraternity of Christian Mothers (NCCM), says it is will build a N600 million female hostel at the Catholic-owned Veritas University, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the confraternity, a Catholic Women’s organisation, announced the plan during the investiture of Patron and Patroness first National Merit Award on Sunday in Benin.

    At the event, which doubled as the launch of the hostel project, the President of the NCCM, Mrs Marcella Cole, described the project as ordained by God.

    She called for support from well-meaning Nigerians to make the project a reality.

    Cole expressed optimism that the project would be realised with the right support and trust.

    “The bishop of Nigeria has asked us to build a female hostel at the Veritas University.

    “As we launch the project today, which will be an ongoing event until our target is realised, we plead with you all for support and contributions towards the take-off of the project.

    “It is truly a huge and gigantic project and we know that as we trust in God, He will build the house as He has already ordained,’’ Cole said.

    She congratulated the over 100 awardees and urged them to continue to give more to the society.

    On her part, the President of the Benin Archdiocesan, Dr Stella Usifoh, said the NCCM was “once again blazing the trail and we are moving on to the glory of God.’’

    She said that evangelism is ongoing to expand and bring more women into the association.

    “Our women are participating actively in their parishes and in all archdiocesan activities across the country,’’ Usifoh said.

  • Duke urges Veritas University graduating students to be change agents

    Duke urges Veritas University graduating students to be change agents

    Mr. Donald Duke, Former Cross River Governor, on Tuesday urged graduating students of Veritas University, Abuja, to always be the change agents that would transform the country.

    Duke said this in Abuja at a Public Lecture to mark the fourth and fifth convocation lecture of the university with the theme: “We the Creatures and the Lord of All Creation”.

    He encouraged the students saying, “arouse yourselves to be the great being that you ought to be, do not trifle this great work of creation by being onlookers”.

    He commended the Catholic Diocese of Nigeria for the tested work in bridging the social divide in the country.

    Duke called on Nigerian leaders to reestablish the society for a better future.

    “It behooves on leaders of the faith to recalibrate the society.

    “If you see what is happening to religion today globally and in Nigeria, there is need for the youth to be agents of change.

    “Globally, there is a competition between the two major religions.

    “God is neither a Christian nor Muslim but religion is a vehicle that takes you to God so leaders must be humble and recognise that God place them in position,” he said.

    Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop of Abuja, urged the graduating students to resist any temptation that could make them cut corners.

    Onaiyekan called on the students to always do the right thing as means of succeeding in their career.

    Also, Prof. Michael Kwanashie, Vice-Chancellor of the university, urged Nigerians to turn to God in order for the country to move forward.

    Kwanashie said to foster love and unity in the country, Nigerians should recognise God in all things.
    “We need to understand that we will account for our deeds, this country cannot move on if we don’t contribute to the salvation of men and women,” he said.

    He, however, said that the university was willing to contribute to the development of education by subsidising the cost of education.

    He said the university was working toward producing men and women who would produce the change the country needed.

    “What we are doing is to make our students combine academic training with moral, spiritual, cultural and social formation,” he said.

    The vice-chancellor urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution and the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university will on March 8 award degrees 180 students out of which six came out with first class honours.