By The Qoheleth
The Federal government of Nigeria has approved the establishment of Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo State. This was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
According to the Minister, many of these universities have been awaiting accreditation for over six years, with their promoters having already built campuses and invested billions of naira. The government also introduced reforms towards licensing and approving over 500 applications received by it. At the end of the exercise, Azione Verde University passed through the process and is one of the nine universities approved.
Azione Verde University is a project initiated by Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde, an international humanitarian organization founded by Rev. Fr. Boniface Ifeanyi Duru, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Orlu in Imo State. The priest has a vision to promote human development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningful and democratic changes in their country.
Fr. Boniface has continued to manifest his dream of changing the destiny of many people through education and sustainable health for over 25 years. His organization, Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has also championed the implementation of socio-health programmes aimed at guaranteeing right to health care to vulnerable Africans who were socially excluded.
According to Fr. Boniface, “Children are the wealth of every poor nation and the hope of humanity. This is our main interest. Training of children is the secret to achieving a healthy and sustainable development in the third world countries because children are the adults of tomorrow.”
Azione Verde has shown strong determination to children’s education, health and wellbeing. This has gone a long way to meet prevailing challenges in these sectors. According to the priest, “Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. There is no gain saying the fact that Nigerian children have a huge role to play in the development of the country in the future. It is the generation of children growing up today who will take their place as Nigeria’s leaders of tomorrow and accelerate its growth and development. The educational development of children is very crucial to the future well-being of any society.”
The mission of Azione Verde is centered on human capacity development all over the world through training, formation and holistic education of children and adults to make them protagonists of their own societies where they can make meaningfully and democratically changes for positive development.
In 2022, Fr. Boniface established Azione Verde International school to pave way for holistic education and personal growth for Nigerian youths. The school equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the global economy, and later create jobs, and ultimately through this, reduce poverty. Education acts as a powerful equalizer, breaking down socio-economic barriers and fostering inclusivity. Azione Verde is totally committed to providing quality education to all, irrespective of background, and also ensures that many Nigerian children have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic tapestry.
Fr. Boniface Duru did not stop at establishing a secondary school within his local community, he went ahead to set up a university. Azione Verde University is established to provide the culture of peace, justice as well as enhance human dignity in the world through holistic education and training. The Campus, located in Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State in Nigeria covers an area of over 75 hectares that comprises university faculties, laboratories, canteen, lecture hall, accommodation, sports centre, church, library and clinic. It will offer opportunities for over 5000 students in the areas of science and technology, business management and entrepreneurship. Students will also be trained in scientific, linguistic and technological courses.
Furthermore, the university will offer a wide range of specialization courses for adults who wish to have more knowledge to manage their economic activities, to improve the use of computers, and to develop new technologies in the field of medicine and scientific research.
The vastness of the complex will offer students a wonderful encounter with nature and a suitable space for reflection, interaction and sports. Azione Verde University follows modern standards that can accommodate students from all over the world. It will have a scientific orientation in particular on science and technology.
Fr. Boniface has served in various parishes in Nigeria and Europe. He had assisted in overcoming various social challenges in Africa. This has made him gain support and encouragement from his bishops, parishioners and the members of his organization. Despite his humble life, he has broken the barriers of global achievements and honour.
Following the approval of the university by the Nigeria Universities Commission, the school hopes to commence full academic work by the next academic session.
