By ALEX ENEBELI

The Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu says it has secured a N90 million grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for implementation of sustainable entrepreneurship in the university.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Christian Anieke, disclosed this during the 12thConvocation of GOUNI at its Main Campus at Ugwuomu, Enugu on Saturday.

The project, which commenced from 2024-2027, is a research and teaching project which focuses on offering new sustainable entrepreneurship courses that are rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Anieke said the grant was given to the university through its Directorate of Entrepreneurship (DOE) and would be implemented with the Leuphana University, Mount Kenya University and University of Venda, South Africa.

He added that through DOE, the University also won €12, 000 Euros for the implementation of Student Training for Entrepreneurship Promotion (STEP) project.

“Under this project, students and teachers from our Faculty of Education and the Institute of Ecumenical Education have been mobilised with N8 million as seed fund for their STEP Micro business while N7 million was earmarked as payment for faculty members inducted as STEP-trainers.

“The establishment of STEP has been an incredibly enriching experience for both staff and students. The DOE has added an innovative project, incubation hub to promote our STEP programme,” he said.

Anieke also announced that 26 students made First Class out of 546 graduating students.

The vice chancellor charged the graduates to dream big to become whatever they desired in life.

“Have a dream that one day you will become best presidents Nigeria has ever produced, best governors, National Assembly members, computer scientist, TV presenters and others.

“I urge you not to forget your identity – an identity of spirituality, hardwork, deep sense of and understanding of cultural and religious differences,” he advised them.

In a goodwill address, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State called for stakeholder’s commitment to education as the state made huge investment in education for the collective future.

Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said through quality education, Nigerians could build the society that valued knowledge, fostered innovation and ensured equitable development for everyone.

He tasked the outgoing students on service of excellence and to uphold the values they gained at the university.

“Let these values be your guiding principles as you face the opportunities and challenges of the future.

“Whether you chose to work in private or public, contribute to your community or pursue further education; let your action reflect standard of ethical leadership, responsibilities and compassion that you have experienced at GOUNI.

“Wherever you go and in every endeavour, whether large or small, try to improve the lives of those around you and contribute to the betterment of the society,” Mbah advised them.

Earlier in a Holy Mass celebrated to mark the convocation, the Chancellor, GOUNI, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, urged science students to marry science and Christianity together, saying that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was good but should not replace God.

Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, while noting that AI was important, warned that scientists should not allow it to take the place of God in their lives.

The archbishop also emphasised the importance of being a scientist and christian, describing them as twin sisters. (NAN)