AA Foundation Officially Announces the Opening of Arrupe Jesuit College

Austin Avuru Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AA Holdings Limited, the family office and private investment company with a focus on Energy, Agriculture, Real Estate, and Equity Capital Market investing, has announced the successful opening of Arrupe Jesuit College, Abbi, Delta State.

The opening event was held on September 17, 2023, through a blessing ceremony at the Arrupe Jesuit College Campus, to mark the completion of this visionary project that seeks to provide top-tier educational opportunities to children in Abbi, Delta State, and beyond.

In 2018, the idea of building a top-class secondary school that would be run to international standards in perpetuity was born. In 2019, the Austin Avuru Foundation approached the leadership of the Jesuits of the North-West Africa Province offering to build a primary and secondary school bequeathing it to the Society to provide for the educational needs of young men and women in Abbi, Delta State, and beyond.

Arrupe Jesuit College is a non-profit co-educational boarding Catholic and Jesuit secondary school that welcomes young men and women of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and provides them with a comprehensive  education  and  formation  to  lead  meaningful  lives  with  and  for  others.  The  project construction commenced in February 2021, through the foundation-laying ceremony of the college, with its completion in September 2023.

Speaking at the blessing ceremony, Austin Avuru, the benefactor of the foundation through his family office,  AA Holding highlighted the significance of philanthropy to the growth of the education sector in the country. He said “The Austin Avuru Foundation believes that education is the key to unlocking the potential of individuals and communities. The foundation’s vision is to create a world where every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances. The foundation’s partnership with the Jesuits is a testament to this vision.

“Working alongside the Society of Jesus of the Roman Catholic Church, the Government and relevant stakeholders in the educational sector and through Arrupe Jesuit College, I believe we can push out on a pedestal to reach even more people to collectively impact the educational system in Nigeria,” he added.

Fr. Oluwasdare A. Michael SJ, Principal of the college ,said “Arrupe Jesuit College, named in honor of the revered Jesuit priest Pedro Arrupe, stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Abbi, Delta State. Through a comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, and a commitment to nurturing holistic development, the college aims to empower young men and women with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to excel academically and make positive contributions to their communities and society.

The college represents the realization of a shared vision for educational advancement, as the Austin Avuru Foundation and the Jesuits of the North-West Africa Province continue its collaborative journey. Together, we seek to create a legacy that will enrich the lives of generations to come”, he added.

The launch of Arrupe Jesuit College is a significant step towards achieving the Austin Avuru Foundation’s vision of creating a world where every child has access to quality education. The foundation is committed to working with partners like the Jesuits to promote education and community development in Nigeria and beyond.

As a Catholic Jesuit secondary school, Arrupe Jesuit College will strive to develop authentic, self-aware young men and women of conscience, competence, compassion, and commitment, who possess a deep sense of human excellence and responsibility that go beyond themselves.

The college commences its first intake of students in September 2023.