Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu ,Nigeria, Tuesday,, celebrated it’s 17 years of existence and academic excellence, assuring commitments to innovation and digitisation.
The University announced Ekwe Princess (overall best student) the new Vice- Chancellor of the University for one day, just as commissioner for transport ,Dr Obi Ozor calls for vision, partnership resilience, and faith to achieve progress.
Pix- Cutting of anniversary cake
The Vice- Chancellor of the University,,Rev Fr Prof Christian Anieke made the disclosure in his speech at the event held at the Convocation arena of the Institution.
Running down the history of the University, Rev Fr Prof Anieke said Godfrey Okoye University started in 1999 with 215 students and two faculties, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, now, Faculty of Natural Science and Environmental Science and Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, being the oldest faculties..
“Today , the University which is the only Catholic University in Nigeria and a fastest growing private University has additional five faculties,the Faculty of Education. Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, faculty of Medicine, faculty of Computing and a Post Graduate School”, he said .
He added that the University set- up a creche , established Nursery/Primary schools and a secondary School.
Pix: VC, Rev Fr Prof Anieke
The Vice chancellor who said the University is known for excellence, highlighted some of the competitions their students had participated in and prizes won, noting that in every competition they participated , they came home with a prize.
He thanked the founding fathers, the students and staff of the University for their commitments.
Rev Fr Prof Anieke also spoke on various innovations the University had embarked on . He disclosed that it has established a Computing faculty, offering courses in Cyber security, Software Engineering, Computer Science, preparing students for digital competitiveness across the globe.
On recognition of outstanding students, the Vice Chancellor said the University honours best student at it’s foundation day celebrations and this year, after a tough selection exercise with five students having 5.0 points, a test was given to them and Ekwe Princess emerged the overall best student and he named her , the new Vice- Chancellor of the University for one day.
Pix: VC in a handshake with Princess Ekwe
He said Ekwe will be honoured on Friday 24 Th October,2025 with rights of a Vice- Chancellor. She will use his official vehicle to move around with a full convoy. She will sit in the Chancellor’s office and perform duties for one day.
The Vice- chancellor attributed the successful growth of the University to faith and good works. He announced that the University ” is not indebted”.
Delivering his lecture on progress, the Guest lecturer and Enugu state Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor , spoke about factors that drive progress, noting that resilience, vision, faith and partnership drive progress.
“Pix: Commissioner for transport,Dr Obi Ozor
Noting that successes do not come easy, Dr Obi Ozor said, “we must become comfortable being uncomfortable. because that is the prize of growth for our careers, our families, our schools, our communities, our states, our nations, and even our faith.
*When we embrace discomfort, we embrace progress.When we stretch, we grow. and when we endure, we build.It is only the builders, those who yet endure discomfort for the sake of progress, that make legacies that endure”, he said..
He highlighted some of the.innovations carried out by the Enugu state Government, it’s achievements in the transport sector, which included the construction of bus terminals, the launch of Enugu Air, the purchase of the CNG Smart buses among others..
He congratulated the University on its anniversary and excellence and thanked the Vice- Chancellor and the entire University for the honour given him.
.” I celebrate your 17 years of faith, service, and excellence and I look forward to the next chapters of partnership between your great institution and the work we are doing to transform Enugu State and Nigeria.
Deans of Faculties, friend of the University and former publicity secretary of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Dr.Alex Ogbonna presented good will messages. They commended the Vice Chancellor for his good works in the University..
In an interview, the Vice- Chancellor, Rev Fr Prof Anieke , said faith and good works were the factors that helped them to achieve success. He promised to keep the vision and mission of the university alive.
Pix: Dr Alex Ogbonna
Highlights of the event were the recognition of outstanding students who received cash gifts of Thirty Thousand Niara each, music and cultural dance presentation as well as cutting of the 17Th years anniversary cake.
The Godfrey Okoye University ‘s foundation day is a period of reflection on the journey made so far in the University and celebration of excellence and vision.
