Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) in Enugu State is set to award first-class honors to 27 graduating students during its 12th convocation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024. This milestone marks the highest number of first-class graduates in the institution’s history.
During a press briefing in Enugu on Tuesday, following a 22km marathon race organized as part of the convocation festivities, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christian Anieke, announced that a total of 546 students would be graduating. Out of these, 27 have earned first-class honors.
Prof. Anieke also highlighted recent accomplishments at the university, including the establishment of a nursing school, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, raising the university’s total program offerings to 83—comprising 40 undergraduate and 43 postgraduate programs. Additionally, GOUNI has completed an oxygen plant to supply hospitals across the state and has built Africa’s first DNA learning center.
“With 546 students set to graduate, 27 have achieved first-class honors—the highest we’ve awarded in a single year,” Prof. Anieke stated.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that the university’s College of Medicine recently received accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, enabling the MBBS examinations. The pioneer medical students, now in their third year, are on track to take their second MBBS exams in March next year. GOUNI’s admission quota for medicine has increased to 75, making it the first Nigerian university to conduct two MBBS exams in the second year.
In a show of support for youth talent, Prof. Anieke commended the marathon participants, pledging to enhance the university’s sports facilities. “With the upcoming completion of our stadium, GOUNI aims to become a sports hub, introducing sports activities at international standards,” he remarked.
In the marathon’s male and female categories, the winners received a prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000), while the first and second runners-up received Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) and One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) respectively.
