By Collins Edomaruse
The Edo State Government has granted approval to Jesuit Education Worldwide for the development of the first Loyola Jesuit University in Nigeria.
The university, it was gathered, would be sited in Ewatto Community, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo, disclosed this after presenting the relevant documentation to the Head, Jesuit Education Worldwide, Rev. Fr. Joseph Christie S.J
According to her, “The Edo State Government through the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development has granted approval to the Jesuit Education worldwide for the development of the first Loyola Jesuit University in Nigeria.
“This approval was pursued for a decade and His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, granted it and waived the fees of over N200m. Instead of paying cash, it was agreed that the University would grant scholarships and provide amenities in the Ewatto Community over time to the tune of the approval fees.
“The Head of Jesuit Education worldwide, Rev. Fr. Joseph Christie S.J came all the way from the Vatican in Rome to pick the approval in the company of Fr. John Okoria S.J, who is in charge of Loyola Jesuit Education North West Africa.”
She added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the terms of the waiver will be signed between the Edo State Government and Jesuit Education Worldwide.
She noted that the groundbreaking ceremony for the university will be done by Governor Obaseki in August 2024, just before the Edo @ 33 celebrations.
