The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on 5th September held its 9thLecture and Fundraising event in Memory of the Servant of God (SOG) Maurice Cardinal Otunga at the Holy Family Basilica under the theme of “The Servant Leadership of Cardinal Otunga.”
According to Mr. Peter Ndevo from Planning and Development Department of the University, the Cardinal Otunga Memorial Lecture and Cardinal Otunga Scholarship Funds were established in 2005 in memory of his contributions to the university.
“The SOG Cardinal Otunga is one of the founders of the University,” he said adding that “Since then, a scholarship committee has been established at the university; the event has been held annually and the Memorial Lectures, facilitated by Bishops later on was added to it.”
“The SOG Cardinal Otunga is one of the founders of the University,” he said adding that “Since then, a scholarship committee has been established at the university; the event has been held annually and the Memorial Lectures, facilitated by Bishops later on was added to it.”
He said that the fundraising event is usually preceded by the Cardinal Otunga Memorial Mass and followed up by the Memorial Lecture. “So far the scholarship, which is funded by well-wishers, has benefitted 88 students from needy backgrounds.”
The beneficiaries of the Cardinal Otunga Scholarship fund do apply through the Dean of Students’ office at the University. From there the names are forwarded to the scholarship committee for screening procedure. "The award for scholarship is done only once a year" he said.
“Students who benefited from the scholarship can reapply in the subsequent years depending on their need, though it remains the prerogative of the university scholarship committee to decide on the beneficiaries,” he said.
Mr. Ndevo said that last year, the university awarded 20 students of which each received Kenya Shillings 70,000 (approximately US Dollars 850). “The Cardinal Otunga Memorial Fund is not discriminatory in terms of religion; except that it is strictly for CUEA students,” he said.
The Cardinal Otunga Memorial Lecture and Scholarship fund have been taken as one of CUEA’s annual events which is happening on the 6thof September annually during the anniversary of Cardinal Otunga’s death.
Mr Ndevo said the university sometimes celebrate the event a day before or after the actual date if the date falls on a weekend, in order to attract maximum participation from CUEA Community.
He said that if the event is set on different date other than the actual date, the Archbishop of Nairobi, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue has to approve the date proposed before it is announced officially.
This year’s event which started by the Memorial Mass and followed by a Lecture was facilitated by Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru, Bishop of Embu.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications