History of Godfrey Okoye University
The idea of establishing a Catholic University by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu was first conceived and presented by the Emeritus Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. A. O. Gbuji, to all priests of the diocese. He wanted a university with the name “Cor Unum”, a university that could represent the unity of all educational institutions and activities of the diocese. In spite of the effort of the bishop to see the project take off immediately, it did not. Bishop Gbuji later discussed his plan with Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, whom he had appointed the provost of the Institute of Ecumenical Education in February 2006. Rev. Fr. Prof. Anieke understood the importance of a university in the diocese and took the bull by the horn. He assured the bishop that he would use all the resources he had to ensure that he built a university for the diocese. At a meeting in the Council Chamber of the Institute of Ecumenical Education, Thinker’s Corner, Enugu, on 9 November 2007, the convener of the meeting, Rev. Fr. Professor Christian Anieke, Provost of the Institute, informed the participants that he had applied for a university that would belong to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
The new university, Godfrey Okoye University, quickly advertised for students who had obtained acceptable scores in the 2009/2010 University Matriculation Examinations, and who would opt to be considered for admission into the 9 academic departments (and 17 degree programmes) in the two approved approved faculties ( 1. Natural and Applied Sciences; 2. Management and Social Sciences) in the first phase of GO University development. A total of 700 candidates applied. These candidates were properly screened and 214 were found suitable for admission. The foundation Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian C. Anieke, and the Registrar, Professor Festus C. Eze, visited the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to formalise the process of admission and to get the candidates formally placed at Godfrey Okoye University (GO University).
Students arrived on Monday, 7 December 2009 and commenced lectures immediately. The Senate was inaugurated on Wednesday, 9 December 2009 to ratify actions taken on its behalf and to approve the academic calendar. The Governing Council was inaugurated on Monday, 14 December 2009. The first matriculation, which attracted a large number of people, including the Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum (Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah), representatives of the Governor of Enugu State and representatives of other universities in the geopolitical zone, took place on 13 February 2010.
Source: gouni.edu.ng
