U.S. varsity, Villanova, appoints Nigerian cleric chief sustainability officer

Villanova University, Pennsylvania, U.S., has appointed Rev. Dr John Abubakar, as the Institution’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

Until his appointment, Abubakar was Parish Priest of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Rantiya, Jos.

The Catholic priest’s appointment was announced in a statement by Rev. Fr. Peter Donohue, President of Villanova University, on Tuesday.

Donohue said that Abubakar would serve as the chairperson of the Sustainability Leadership Council (SLC), the campus group overseeing Villanova’s sustainability initiatives.

“He will endeavour to establish an ethos of sustainability in our University community by advancing Villanova’s sustainability plan.

“He will also promote sustainability engagement, through educational opportunities, and provide expertise and guidance for sustainability planning, design and operations.

“Fr. John Abubakar joins us from the Nigerian Augustinian Province, where he was ordained in 2004,” Donohue said.

According to him, he always looks forward to the start of each academic year as it brings new faces, new stories and new experiences to the Villanova community, and welcomed with great pleasure, new and returning students, faculty and staff.

“Our picturesque campus is full of energy and enthusiasm as we welcome our returning students and the Class of 2027, joining us from 46 states and 24 countries.

“The orientation and move-in process was extremely well-organised and emotive, so I offer my sincere appreciation to the countless members of our community, who played a part in welcoming our new and returning students,” Donohue added.