National Open University of Nigeria Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma Honoured as Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Ambassador at 180th Anniversary
The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, has been honoured as a Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) Ambassador as the Church celebrates its historic 180th anniversary at Hope Waddell Parish, Calabar.
The honour holds special significance for Professor Uduma, who comes from a strong Presbyterian family and has maintained a deep connection with the Church and its institutions. He dedicated the award to the memory of his parents, the late Elder and Elder (Mrs.) Oji Uduma, acknowledging their faith, values, and influence in shaping his life.
Professor Uduma's association with the Presbyterian Church extends beyond family heritage. He once served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, one of the Church's historic institutions and an important part of its enduring legacy in healthcare and community service
The Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, has its roots in the missionary work of the Church of Scotland Mission, which established the institution in 1913. Its establishment reflected the Presbyterian tradition of combining Christian evangelism with education, healthcare, and service to humanity.
The history of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria itself is deeply woven into the story of Christianity and education in Nigeria. The Presbyterian mission began in Calabar in 1846, following an invitation from local leaders who sought assistance in education, agriculture, and the teaching of Christianity. Rev. Hope Masterton Waddell arrived in Calabar on 10 April 1846 and laid the foundation for what would become one of Nigeria's oldest Christian denominations.
From its earliest years, the Presbyterian mission went beyond evangelism. It established schools, promoted literacy, and encouraged social development. The Hope Waddell Training Institution became one of the notable landmarks of early formal education in Nigeria.
The Presbyterian legacy was further enriched by missionaries such as Mary Slessor, who arrived in Calabar in 1876. Slessor became renowned for her courageous missionary and humanitarian work, particularly her opposition to harmful traditional practices, including the killing of twins. Her ministry exemplified a Christian mission that combined evangelism with the defence of human dignity and service to vulnerable communities.
Over the decades, the Presbyterian Church became increasingly indigenous. Administrative control was transferred to Nigerians in 1945, and the Church assumed the name Presbyterian Church of Nigeria in 1960. Its churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutions have since contributed significantly to Nigeria's religious, educational, and social development.
Against this historic background, the conferment of the PCN Ambassadorial honour on Professor Uduma carries a particularly personal and symbolic meaning. His family heritage, his service to a major Presbyterian institution, and his present leadership of a national university converge around a common Presbyterian value: the transformation of lives through faith, knowledge, and service.
As Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma is advancing this educational heritage through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), a model that brings quality higher education closer to the people His leadership reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that distance, location, employment, family responsibilities, or other circumstances do not become barriers to acquiring university education.
This commitment has particular significance for the Presbyterian community. Through NOUN's flexible and accessible ODL system, members of the Presbyterian Church—includi…
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