The Founder and Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) in Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, says he did not borrow money to establish the institution but by the glory of God.
Anieke stated this during the 17th Founder’s Day Celebration of the university on Tuesday at the University’s premise.
Freedomonline reports that GOUNI is a mission university owned by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
The founder said that no one borrowed a Kobo to establish the university, describing the institution as the “product of God’s grace and miracle”.
According to him, a lot of institutions owed a lot of money from banks to establish their universities but GOUNI did not owe anyone to start it.
He explained that within the two years of existence, the university received license to operate which was the fastest in the history of National University Commission (NUC).
Thanking God with the height achieved since inception, Anieke said the university started with just 250 students, adding that the number had increased to multitude and were intellectually the best in Nigeria.
“So when we celebrate this university, we celebrate God’s special grace and miracle on earth.
“Getting the school approved was an irreversible journey and narrative that will change the academic space in Enugu and Nigeria.
“We knew from onset that it was going to cost a lot of money but we were not looking at money because we were inspired and motivated by interest in establishing this university,” Anieke said.
He extolled the students performances both in academics and competitions noting that the university started with two faculties and had grown to several faculties.
Anieke added that their mission was to change the pace of higher education in Enugu and that the university was doing it gradually.
Delivering the GOUNI 17th Founder’s lecture, the Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor, emphasised the need for students to summon courage to transform vision into reality,
both in business, governance and service to humanity.
The commissioner explained that doing so would rescue them from being poor, calling on them to begin from a little.
He equally tasked them on resilience and hardworking as well as embracing creativity and innovation to excel rather than blaming others for their failure.
In a goodwill message, the former Ohanaeze Ndigbo Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, while lauding the university’s achievements, urged the students to emulate the resilience of the vice chancellor.
