The 17th Matriculation Ceremony, held at the Hon. Justice Cordelia Chukwuma Convocation Arena, Thinker’s Corner Campus 11, Enugu, began with a Holy Mass officiated by the Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Christian Anieke, who urged the students to embrace positive change and maintain good conduct during their stay in the university.
Addressing the students during the ceremony, Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Anieke described Godfrey Okoye University as the best private university in the South-East and one of the top five private universities in Nigeria. He congratulated the newly admitted students for gaining admission into the prestigious Catholic Diocese of Enugu-owned university, describing their admission as a significant milestone in their lives.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to uphold discipline, hard work, and moral integrity throughout their academic journey. He reminded them that gaining admission into Godfrey Okoye University was not merely about obtaining a degree but about building character and developing the right values that prepare individuals for leadership and service to society.
Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Anieke emphasized that the university maintains a zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, and other social vices, stressing that the institution is committed to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but morally upright and globally competitive. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the serene academic environment, modern facilities, and dedicated lecturers available in the university to excel in their chosen fields.
Speaking on the theme of his address, “Why University Education?”, the Vice-Chancellor explained that the essence of university education goes beyond acquiring certificates. According to him, it is fundamentally about developing knowledge-driven and problem-solving skills.
“Employability depends a lot on the skills you have. One of the fundamental skills you will learn at the university is problem-solving, analytical thinking, creativity, decision-making, communication, and research skills,” he said.
He noted that the university’s learning environment is structured to ensure that students acquire these skills across all aspects of campus life. According to him, the academic structure and examination system are designed to test students’ analytical and critical thinking abilities.
He added that through the Directorates of Entrepreneurship and Competitions, the institution grooms students to become solution-oriented leaders capable of addressing real-world challenges.
Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor described the university as a preferred space for networking, meaningful connections, and the development of social intelligence. He urged the students to actively participate in social and co-curricular activities that would help them discover and develop their talents, stressing that the university does not celebrate mediocrity.
On time and financial management, Prof. Anieke advised the students to cultivate financial intelligence by budgeting according to available income, comparing prices before making purchases, saving consistently, and prioritizing their needs.
He also reminded them that the university maintains strict moral and disciplinary standards, warning against involvement in cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime, and other social vices.
Describing Godfrey Okoye University as a praying institution, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the university remains committed to the spiritual development of its students through regular worship and shared values.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education, Prof. Ekene Osuji congratulated the newly admitted students and urged them to always conduct themselves in ways that uphold the integrity and reputation of the university.
Speaking on behalf of the matriculating students, Miss Jessica Onyeka described the ceremony as evidence of perseverance. She recounted the sleepless nights, anxieties, and uncertainties many students experienced before securing admission, noting that their presence at the ceremony symbolised resilience and determination.
Highlights of the ceremony included the administration of the matriculation oath to the new students, the presentation of awards to winners of the second edition of the PenGold Calligraphic Competition, and the presentation of cash awards of over three million naira to the year’s best students in Law, Medicine, and Nursing by an alumnus of the university, Mr. Chidera Attamah.
The ceremony marked the formal admission of the new students into the academic community of Godfrey Okoye University, setting them on a path of academic excellence, character formation, and leadership.
