The Faculty of Law of Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, on Monday rolled out the drums in honour of the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, celebrating both his recent emergence as the party’s number two official in the South and his longstanding support for the institution.
The colourful event, held at the faculty auditorium of the Catholic Diocese-owned university, drew students, lecturers, management staff and distinguished guests who praised Nwoye’s contributions to legal education and student development.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, described Nwoye as one of the faculty’s most dependable supporters, noting that his relationship with the institution dates back to the establishment of the law faculty.
According to Anieke, the faculty considered it necessary to celebrate Nwoye following his elevation to the office of APC Deputy National Chairman (South) because of his unwavering commitment to the growth of the faculty and the welfare of its students.
“Dr. Ben Nwoye has been part and parcel of our Law Faculty. He started supporting it from the very first day of its existence,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“He has invested so much in the formation of our law students. He has supported them with scholarships, sponsored several activities, and even hosted end-of-session celebrations for students at his country home in Amuri.”
Explaining the rationale behind the honour, Anieke added: “When we got the news of his election as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, the number two man in the party, we decided that we should honour him because he has done so much for the Law Faculty.
“We are not stopping here. We are going to do more for him to show Nigerians that Dr. Ben Nwoye is a great man and deserves to be celebrated.”
In his response, Nwoye expressed gratitude to the university management and the Law Faculty for the recognition, admitting that he was pleasantly surprised by the gesture.
“I am indeed deeply grateful for this gesture,” he said.
“I have been a friend of the university, particularly the Law Faculty, over the years, but I never knew they were taking cognisance of my participation and movement in Nigeria’s political space.
“So, I am not just delighted by this gesture, but extremely honoured by this show of love and brotherhood from the Law Faculty.”
The APC chieftain further revealed his deep emotional connection with the institution.
“Though I did not study or attend law school in Nigeria, I have always felt that Godfrey Okoye University is my alma mater,” he stated.
To further encourage academic excellence among students, Nwoye announced cash prizes for outstanding graduating students of the faculty. He pledged ₦500,000 for the overall best graduating student, ₦300,000 for the second-best graduating student, and ₦200,000 for the third-best graduating student.
He also announced financial support packages for lecturers and members of the faculty management.
In separate remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Frank Asogwa, and former Dean of the faculty, Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, who is now Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, described Nwoye as a loyal friend and benefactor of the faculty.
Ogbodo recalled how Nwoye consistently supported students and sponsored activities long before the faculty gained prominence.
“We have come to celebrate a man who believes so much in us,” he said.
“When nobody believed in us, one man, Dr. Ben Nwoye, invested his resources in us.
“This recognition is well deserved because it is our own way of reciprocating what Dr. Ben Nwoye has been doing for the faculty over the years.”
The event also featured the conduct of the Faculty of Law students’ election, which was witnessed by the APC Deputy National Chairman.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of a specially designed congratulatory portrait to Nwoye in recognition of his emergence as APC Deputy National Chairman (South) and his contributions to the advancement of legal education at the university.
