Be the Architect of a New Nigeria as Soludo Seeks a Generation of Changemakers

At the 13th Convocation of Veritas University, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, highlighted the institution’s journey as a shining example of vision and dedication in Catholic higher education.

Professor Soludo, who previously led a discussion on the university’s financial sustainability under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) finance committee in 2014, admired Veritas University’s growth over the past decade.

In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Professor Soludo applauded the foresight of its founders, the staff’s commitment, the perseverance of successive administrations in elevating the institution to its current level of excellence, and the students’ achievements in character and learning.

Professor Soludo, who shared with Vice-Chancellor Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Hyacinth Ichoku, his former student, that conventional convocation speeches often feel repetitive and formulaic, offering graduates generic guidance on success and resilience, presented a call for transformative change: a “new deal” for Nigeria.

According to him, this new deal emphasises collective purpose and renewal, with active roles from the graduates in Nigeria’s transformation process, and the challenges of economic disparity, climate threats, and evolving governance structures demand a deep commitment to the country’s shared destiny.

He urged them to envision a country that embraces its full potential, transcends divisions, values equity, innovation, and resilience, and be uniquely positioned to become nation-builders, with a new deal built on principles of equity, justice, and inclusive development. This is for them to emerge as the changemakers the country urgently needs.