I congratulate my brother Bishop Caliistus Onaga, his Auxiliary Bishop Ernest Obodo, Diocesan Curia, Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees, Chairman and members of the Governing Council, Vice Chancellor and the Godfrey Okoye University senate as well as all staff and students, especially the fresh graduates and their parents, on the occasion of the 12th Convocation of Godfrey Okoye University.
Godfrey Okoye University is indeed God’s own university (as the university anthem underscores). No one can fail to see the hand of God in the university in the light of its tremendous progress within fifteen years of its existence.
It is gladdening to hear that the university has 83 programmes, which are approved and fully accredited. The news about the Enugu State Government partnership with our university in the development of our DNA Learning Centre for paternity tests and forensic analyses is a sign that the state government recognises the incredible progress of our university in teaching and research. I am grateful to the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah for bringing its own counterpart funding for the project.
I thank God also for the progress made in the fields of medical education and the approval of our Nursing Science programme as well as the plan to introduce new programmes (pharmacy and medical laboratory). The VC has informed me that the faculty building for the medical laboratory science is being built behind the laboratories of our College of Medicine. He has also requested me to commend our Prof. Miriam Unachukwu who is behind this project.
I would like congratulate all the students of Godfrey Okoye University who have represented the university in various competitions and won different prizes as well as the Director of Competitions Mrs Rebecca Chukwu. I must also congratulate all our graduates who have won scholarships and got different funds for research from various countries of the world.
My profound gratitude goes to all who have been contributing to the progress of our university. I will not fail to mention our Governor Peter Mbah, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, German and Austrians friends and partners (including the Austrian Embassy and the German GIZ), the Bishop, the founding vice chancellor and priests of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, CWO of Enugu Diocese, Enugu Deanery, Monsignor Obiora Ike, Mr. Everest Nnaji (the convocation lecturer, who, in addition to building a 60-room hostel, has given a lot of scholarships to our students), Mr. Nnamdi Ozor, Dr. Dave Micklos, Ms Meggy Kantert, Dr. Andreas Gebeauer, Mr. Nnamdi Icheku, Chairman of Aniri Local Government (Prince Nwanjoku) and other local government chairmen, Engr. Gerald Otiji and many other government officials who are our friends, Prof. George Ude, Mr. Michael Okoro, Prof. Frank Akpuaka, Prof. Amechi Katchy, and so many persons and groups who have contributed to the development of this university.
Finally, let me say that the progress of GoUniversity university hinges on prayer. Apart from the daily Masses, there are common midday prayers and evening prayers. The result is that the university has remained calm and peaceful without any trace of cultism. I thank all of you for your prayers and I wish the fresh graduates success in life.
God bless you all.
