By Chikezie Ogbonna
The Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) community came alive today as over 200 athletes participated in the institution’s annual 22km marathon, one of the flagship events marking the 13th Convocation Ceremony. The race began at the Thinker’s Corner Campus main gate and concluded at the university auditorium in Ugwuomu, drawing excitement, colour, and competitive spirit from students, staff, and visiting athletes.
In a press briefing following the event, the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, commended the impressive turnout and announced that the Enugu East Local Government Chairman made an additional donation of ₦1 million to be shared among the top ten performers.
Winners Emerge in Male and Female Categories
In the male category, Onyia Kingsley clinched first place with a cash prize of ₦500,000, followed by Odo Emmanuel (₦200,000) and Onyia Chukwuebuka (₦100,000) in second and third places respectively.
The female category replicated the same prize structure, with Elias Jacintha winning first place, Eze Miracle placing second, and Eze Happiness finishing third.
Consolation prizes also went to the youngest participant a 12-year-old student from Queen’s Secondary School Nsukka and the oldest runner aged 46. Both received ₦100,000 each. In addition, the Vice Chancellor announced a ₦200,000 reward to Queen’s Secondary School Nsukka in recognition of their exceptional outing and strong representation in the female group.
Convocation: A Celebration of Growth and Distinction
Speaking further, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anieke reflected on the university’s journey since its establishment in 2009. He emphasized GOUNI’s unwavering commitment to consistent academic calendars and uninterrupted graduation cycles, a rarity in the Nigerian university landscape.
He noted that every convocation is preceded by an Opening Mass of Thanksgiving and followed by a rich lineup of activities, including competitions, exhibitions, entrepreneurial showcases, and the annual marathon.
“This university stands out because from the moment you step in, you know when you will graduate,” he said. “No strikes, no interruptions, only your choices can delay you.”
This year’s convocation is historic, as GOUNI is graduating 660 students, its highest number yet, including 22 first-class graduates and 211 second-class upper achievers. For the first time, the “Vice Chancellor of One Day” honour will be bestowed on the overall best graduating student, Azubike Nkenna.
To date, the university has produced 4,431 graduates, with more than 80% thriving successfully in their chosen fields.
Academic Excellence and Global Outlook
The Vice Chancellor highlighted GOUNI’s expanding academic profile, which now includes 89 programmes across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This year, the Computer Science department was elevated into a full faculty. Plans are underway to introduce more health-related programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science and Pharmacy.
On international collaboration, he noted GOUNI’s active membership in Africa-UniNet, a partnership between African and Austrian universities. Through the partnership, the institution and its collaborators secured a €135 thousand grant, followed by additional funding including N300 million dedicated to STEM training.
“Our partnerships are not on paper, they are active, functional, and transformative,” he said, adding that GOUNI remains the only university in Nigeria with a foreign liaison officer permanently on staff.
Medical, Forensic, and Research Achievements
Prof. Anieke celebrated landmark achievements of GOUNI’s teaching hospital, including a successful open-heart surgery conducted recently. He also emphasized the growing reputation of the university’s scientific establishments.
“Our DNA Center has become the biggest in Africa and the fifth largest in the world,” he declared. “The upcoming Forensic Center will be a game changer, offering world-class DNA paternity testing, robotics research, and serving as a fully developed science city.”
The university’s Directorate of Competitions, he said, has ensured GOUNI’s presence and victories in various national contests. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Entrepreneurship continues to prepare graduates for real-world employability, reflected in the university’s impressive record of 70% post-graduation employment yearly.
Values, Ethics, and Security
Reiterating GOUNI’s emphasis on character formation, the Vice Chancellor stressed that every academic activity passes through rigorous ethical checks, ensuring graduates excel not just academically but morally.
“We measure character here. No graduate from this university can confidently engage in unethical practices,” he said.
He also noted that the university enjoys robust security, including a gas plant established by an alumnus, which supports the campus’s energy needs.
On NELFUND: “Exclusion of Private Universities is Unfair”
On the controversial exclusion of private universities from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Prof. Anieke did not mince words.
“It is injustice and selfishness,” he stated. “Private universities contribute immensely to national development. Excluding them is unfair, and we will continue to train students who can think critically and stand up for their rights.”
Looking Ahead
The Vice Chancellor revealed that GOUNI will host a major official event in January 2026, with the governor and distinguished Nigerians in attendance, marking another defining moment for the institution. This event is not unconnected with the grand opening of the Center for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation (CEDFOCI) and Science City, a brain child of DNA Learning Center Nigeria, Godfrey Okoye University.
He also hinted that his convocation address on Saturday 6th December will center on the theme “GO is going higher,” highlighting achievements in the College of Medicine, whose pioneer medical students now in their fourth year have made remarkable academic strides, earning distinctions and national recognition.
As today’s marathon wrapped up in celebration and anticipation, one thing was clear: Godfrey Okoye University continues to expand its footprint in academics, innovation, ethics, and global relevance, solidifying its place as a university to watch.
Comment here