By Tony Adibe
The Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, has honoured two prominent Nigerians – a popular pilot and philanthropist, Captain Evarest Nnaji (Odengene), and a young, famous hotelier and sports enthusiast, Nnamdi Ozor, in recognition of their remarkable contributions to education, philanthropy, sports, human empowerment, and community development.
NewsBits reports that the Catholic-owned university honoured the two men with the awards of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa), respectively, during its 13th Convocation Ceremony, celebrating, however, Nnaji’s exceptional impact on education, philanthropy, and community empowerment.
In a glowing citation, the institution praised Captain Nnaji’s “life of hard work, sacrifice, unwavering commitment to human development and support for academic excellence.” The university said that he had “transformed destinies through benevolence, granting scholarships to hundreds of indigent students from secondary to university level and intervening in hospital bills of indigent patients across many hospitals.”
Beyond his humanitarian work, Captain Nnaji has deepened his involvement in the university’s growth. On October 13, 2025, he was appointed to the Board of the Godfrey Okoye University Teaching Hospital, following a recommendation by the Board of Trustees and approval by the proprietor, Bishop Callistus Onaga. In his acceptance speech, Captain Nnaji described the honour as profoundly meaningful.
“I stand before you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude, humility, and pride,” he said. “Receiving this Honorary Doctorate Degree from such a prestigious institution as Godfrey Okoye University is one of the greatest honours of my life — not because of the title ‘Doctor’ but because of where it is coming from; G/O.”
He thanked the Vice Chancellor, Senate, and Awards Committee for finding him deserving. “Thank you for believing in me,” he said.
Nnaji also paid an emotional tribute to his family. “Your love, prayers, encouragement, and sacrifices have kept me grounded and focused. This honour belongs to you as much as it belongs to me.” Addressing students, he delivered a message of hope and discipline:
“Believe in your dreams, stay disciplined, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of hard work… With determination, faith, and consistency, nothing is impossible.” He described the award as a renewed call to public service.
“Greatness is not defined by titles, but by the lives we touch… This honour strengthens my resolve to keep contributing to society, to empower the younger generation, and to inspire progress.” Explaining why he accepted this honorary degree after routinely declining others, Nnaji said his decision was rooted in trust and shared values.
“I needed to associate with people who have genuine intentions and that intention is what’s driving me to be part of them. I’m ready to continue to support the university because you can see that they’re doing great things. They’ve produced the best students in so many fields, and that is what we need from South Eastern Nigeria.”
Also, while commenting on the honour done to him by the university, the young sports enthusiast and proprietor of Tribu Hotels, Enugu Nnamdi Ozor, in an interview with journalists, described it as “a great honour,” and thanked “this prestigious university for giving me this great recognition.”
Ozor, who received a Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa), said that the award is proof to show that in whatever one is doing, people are watching the individual. “It shows that when you are working, people are looking at you, and you just have to be patient. Everything takes its time to manifest,” said Ozor.
Describing the management of the university as “wonderful and spectacular”, Ozor said that the institution “is building the future leaders of this country,” urging the GOUNI to keep it on. He pledged to assist the institution whenever he was approached for assistance.
Asked why he sponsored the local football league called Abakpa Football League 2024 and 2025, Ozor said he grew up, to some extent, in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, before he left the shores of Nigeria.
He described sports as a way of keeping “our young ones busy,” rather than allowing them to remain idle and be “thinking of bad things they can do”. He said: “Bring them in and let them occupy their mind with something meaningful. And I think we have to find a way to provide jobs and opportunities for the young ones.”
Ozor added: “So, that’s why I’m giving back to society, and we will do more if God permits us.” Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Professor Christian Anieke, and the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Dr. Callistus Onaga, recounted Chief Nnaji’s consistent support for the university over the years as well as the Philanthropic activities of Ozor.
