BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has described the newly licensed Omega University, Kaduna, as a beacon of hope for Northern Nigeria, saying the institution will produce graduates distinguished by academic excellence, integrity and godly character.
Hayab said this on Sunday at a thanksgiving service held at the headquarters of Restoration Bible Church, Kaduna, to mark the granting of an operational licence to the university by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He said the licensing of the institution was more than an academic milestone, describing it as a testament to faith, perseverance and commitment to providing quality education in the region.
“For us in Northern Nigeria, this university is a beacon of hope. We need institutions that produce not only educated minds but also people of integrity,” Hayab said.
According to him, Omega University represents the commitment of Christians to national development through the provision of quality education anchored on moral and spiritual values.
Hayab said the establishment of the university demonstrated that the responsibility of religious institutions went beyond preaching to contributing meaningfully to society through education and leadership development.
“It is one thing to preach the gospel; it is another to build institutions that shape the future. By birthing Omega University, they have answered a call that goes beyond the pulpit, a call to raise a generation of leaders grounded in knowledge and godly character,” he said.
The NCA chairman pledged the association’s support for the institution and urged the management, faculty and future students to remain committed to the values upon which the university was founded.
He also called for collective support for the university, stressing that its success would require the contributions of individuals and organisations.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of Omega University and President of Messengers Foundation, Rev. Tunde Bolanta, described the licensing of the institution as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision founded on faith and perseverance.
“A lot of you have been part of our story. Finally, we are here to gather because our God is good and when He says anything, He brings it to pass,” Bolanta said.
He described the vision behind the university as a “stubborn one” that was pursued despite the absence of visible means at the beginning, adding that the journey had demonstrated the importance of faith and persistence.
Bolanta said the university would place equal emphasis on academic excellence and character formation, noting that Nigeria’s challenges could not be addressed through education alone without corresponding values.
Omega University recently received its operational licence from the NUC and is expected to commence academic activities with the admission of its pioneer students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
