By Tony Adibe
The Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu has been lauded for its numerous feats by the Bishops, and priests in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
NewsBits reports that the priests made the commendation during their Unum Presbyterium Meeting which took place at the University’s College of Medicine within its main campus at Ugwuomu Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The over 450 priests in the diocese said that they were particularly impressed with the rapid transformation, the establishment and excellent academic activities taking place in the main campus of the university. The priests observed that the medical students in the college had not only adapted to the environment but were at home with the practical academic programmes of their studies.
In demonstration of their joy and impression, the priests donated about N50 million naira in support of the Godfrey Okoye University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Besides the monetary donations, some of the priests indicated interest in offering scholarships to indigent students of the University.
In a comment, the auxiliary bishop of the diocese, Most Rev Dr. Ernest Obodo encouraged those who can take up some projects in the university to do so. Earlier while declaring the gathering open, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev Dr Callistus Onaga commended the clergy for their solidarity and commitment to the spread of the gospel as well as the educational programmes of the diocese.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor of GOUNI, Reverend Father Professor Christian Anieke reaffirmed the determination of the management of the institution to realise the objectives of the diocese in establishing the university.
Professor Anieke, who was accompanied by the principal officers of the University, the Provost, and Deputy Provost of the College of Medicine as well as all the priests serving in the university to welcome the ordained officials, described the donation as “a tonic that would boost the management ‘s efforts to fast track the growth of the university.”
The Unum Presbyterium Meeting is usually held three times every year and is “aimed at bringing the priests of the diocese up to speed with the goings on in the local and the universal Church.”
It is also an opportunity for the priests to sit together and deliberate on the pastoral as well as the administrative challenges confronting the diocese and proffer ways of tackling them, NewsBits learnt.
