By EMMANUEL ACHA

Godfrey Okoye University, a Catholic owned institution in Enugu State, on Tuesday admitted and invested 11 academics in the professorial chair of the institution, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Investing the new professors, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Christian Anieke, said that the move was aimed at boosting the academic ranks of the university.

Anieke, who is also a priest, said that the event would bring some levels of consciousness in the university community and translate in the way the appointees would teach.

He said that the conferment of the professorial positions would also enhance the performance of students of the university.

“Today, our university stamps its identity on you not only physically in the gown but also metaphysically on the tablet of your heart.

“This investiture is a call to be the professor in your area of research and teaching. You must drink from the fountain of the third component of our professorial identity: the philosophy, mission and vision of our university,” Anieke said.

Responding on behalf of other newly appointed professors, Prof. Mary-Sylvia Nwachukwu thanked the management of the institution for the honour.

Nwachukwu said that they would use their positions to defend the honour of God and that of the institution.

“One thing is to work assiduously to achieve excellence and another is to be recognised for it. We will defend the honour of God and that of the institution,” Nwachukwu said.

NAN reports that the roll call included the conferment of new professorial positions to nine fresh academics, one emeritus professorial appointment and a conferment of posthumous professorial position on late Prof. Innocent Uzoechi.

Uzoechi was the founding Provost of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and he joined the university after retirement from public service but died after his appointment as professor by the institution in 2020.

Some of the professors include Prof Serguis Udeh (Accounting), Titus Nwanne (Banking and Finance), Ndidiamaka Ozofor (Mathematics), Felicia Eneh and Regina Udeabah (English). (NAN)