By Chineneyeh Ozor
The 13th convocation ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu Nike, Emene, Enugu, recorded a landmark moment as an Enugu-based business mogul partnered with the state government to advance education by constructing a modern hostel block for the institution.
The event witnessed the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree in Management on Chief Dr. Ozor Nnamdi Silas (Onwa Ezeagu), Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tribu Hotels and Suites, Emene, Enugu. The award recognized his outstanding contributions to education, sports development, and socio-economic growth, as well as his commitment to public-private collaboration in governance.
The university described the honour as a reflection of the growing role of the private sector in supporting education and development in Enugu State and beyond. Chief Dr. Ozor has not only built a hostel block for Godfrey Okoye University but also facilitated research support and technological advancement for the institution.
He was further commended for his contributions to sports development through the sponsorship of the Abakpa League Tournament, Ezeagu Local Government League Tournament, Olo Town League, and a marathon race, all in alignment with the Enugu State Government’s sports development agenda.
Speaking after receiving the award, Chief Dr. Ozor said development and good governance should be a collective responsibility, stressing that citizens and the private sector must actively complement government efforts.
“Governance is not for government alone. Everyone must participate and contribute meaningfully. Even security is everybody’s business if we must protect lives and property across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State,” he said.
He commended Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his strategic approach to security, particularly the deployment of drone surveillance cameras across the state, which he described as a pioneering initiative in Nigeria.
Chief Dr. Ozor also praised the governor’s focus on quality education through the introduction of smart schools and e-learning, improvements in healthcare facilities, and massive rural road infrastructure development.
He called on donor agencies, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, churches, private sector players, and international development partners to support the state government in achieving its goals in food security, road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and human capital development.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, disclosed that the institution has produced 4,431 graduates since its inception in 2013, growing from an initial intake of 250 students to a current population of over 5,878 students.
He noted that the university is expanding rapidly, with significant progress in its College of Medicine, Nursing Sciences, and other faculties.
Prof. Anieke expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for partnering with the university to expand its DNA Learning Centre, which he described as the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
He explained that honorary award recipients were selected based on proven records of hard work, excellence, integrity, and their capacity to contribute to the university’s vision of becoming a leading private institution in Nigeria with strong national and international engagement in entrepreneurship and innovation.
