From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The prelate of the Catholic Church and Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) has hailed the collaboration between the institution and the Enugu State Government in developing a DNA learning centre for paternity and forensic analysis, the first of its kind in the South East.
Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, who is also the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, made the remark during the 12th convocation ceremony of the institution held on Saturday.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress the institution has made in the fields of medical education, with the approval of the Nursing Science programme, as well as plans to introduce Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory programmes to the school.
He said: “The news about the Enugu State Government’s partnership with our university in the development of our DNA Learning Centre for paternity tests and forensic analyses is a sign that the state government recognises the incredible progress of our university in teaching and research. I am grateful to the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah for bringing its own counterpart funding for the project.
“No one can fail to see the hand of God in the university in the light of its tremendous progress within fifteen years of its existence. It is gladdening to hear that the university has 83 programmes, which are approved and fully accredited.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Christian Anieke, announced that 26 students achieved first-class honours out of 546 students who took their final examinations in various programmes.
On the DNA Learning Centre, Anieke said that the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah, having noted the progress and uniqueness of the centre, is collaborating with the university to expand its facilities for paternity tests and forensic analyses.
He pledged that, “By this time next year, this main campus of our university will have become the centre of all kinds of paternity tests in the Southeast of Nigeria.
“By this time next year, our main campus will have become ready to supply all data that can help security officers fish out criminals in Enugu State through forensic analyses of crime scenes.
“By this time next year, our DNA Learning Centre will have been expanded to become one of the biggest science cities in Nigeria, offering all sorts of research services to our state, Nigeria, and Africa.
“In addition, our DNA Learning Centre (DNALC) has developed the first AI-compliant website and a DNALC Nigeria mobile app for any science or research training institution in Nigeria.”