1 week ago
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By Daniel Kanu
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has commissioned the Graham Young University (BYU)-Pathway Worldwide centre in Lagos, as part of its programmes to provide university education opportunity for Nigetians.
Speaking at the dedication of the centre, yesterday, President of the BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Brian Ashton, said that the all-inclusive education provided by the centre is affordable, qualitative and an opportunity to bless lives.
Ashton said: “We are doing this to help people, to empower people. Knowledge is important. We are giving learning, learning that will make people skillful in order to get jobs that will make them self-reliant, so that they can be useful to themselves, to their families, and to the community at large.”
He said that “BYU Pathway enables people to enroll at the Graham Young University, USA and then study online to acquire the necessary university qualifications.
The BYU-Pathway President said that while students study, they also have the opportunity of getting remote jobs through which they earn income.
Ashton explained that BYU-Pathway Worldwide is a global higher education organization that provides access to spiritually-based education for students, not only for members of the church but everybody who is qualified.
He revealed that some of the activities and services the centre offers through the PathwayConnect Programmes are programmes, where students can earn certificates and degrees in various fields, such as business, health, and technology.
According to him “ BYU-Pathway Worldwide partners with Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) to offer online degree programmes. We have regular online gatherings that provide opportunities for students to connect with each other and with instructors.
“There are mentorship programmes where students are paired with mentors who provide guidance and support throughout their academic journey. There is the career counseling which offers career counseling services to help students explore career options and create a career plan.”
Earlier, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who dedicated the centre, praised Nigerians and Africans for their resilience and hardwork.
He encouraged them to stay on the convenant path and the embrace the opportunity provided by the centre.
He said: “From this programme, we will raise leaders that will take charge in future, leaders who have acquited knowledge and wisdom. It is a unique opportunity for me to cut the opening tape of this great initiative, here in Lagos, Nigeria.”
Elder Adeyinka Ojediran of the church’s Africa West Area Presidency, said that the church values education and encourages all to be educated.
He stated that through the BYU-Pathway centre, many will get education, acquire knowledge and become future leaders.
Ojediran said that the church is interested in the rising generation and wants them to be educated in order to have requisite skills and knowledge for leadership.
He enjoined youths to grab the opportunity and get education.
Victor Ukorebi, Senior International Area Manager, revealed that the BYU-Pathway Worldwide centre is equipped with computers and internet services for students’ use for their online programmes.
According to him, the centre has the capacity to have 500 students at a time and is open to all those enrolled for educational programmes.
Ukorebi said that with less than N400,000, enrolled student will do degree courses of four years.
Present at the dedication of the centre are church leaders, including: Elder Clark Gilbert, J.D Griffith, Vice President of Administration, Elder Christain Chigbundu of the Area Seventy; Elder Olukani of Nigeria Aba Temple; President Sunday Oyedeji of the Nigeria Egbeda Stake and others.
Dignitaries who attended are Mr. Onuoha Ukeh MD/Editor-In-Chief, The Sun Newspaper; former Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and Prof. Oby Lilian Ofogbu, member of the House of Representatives, representing Awka North/South Federal Constituency, among others.
English (US) ·