
By Emeka Odogwu
Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State has floated another tertiary institution named Gozie Anyachebelu Polytechnic (GOZPOLY), with its permanent site at Oraukwu in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The Polytechnic founded by the Anglican Diocese on the Niger led by Right Reverend Dr. Owen Nwokolo has it’s take-off campus in Onitsha.
This is coming in less than one year, the Diocese on the Niger founded the University on the Niger, (Uniniger), at Umunya.
The Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, broke the news of the new institution at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha on Sunday, September 15, 2024 during the collation and installation of archdeacons and canons of the diocese.
According to the bishop, the polytechnic has commenced offer of admission to legibly qualified applicants, adding that the school would start academic activities in a few weeks’ time.
He described the institution as a citadel of learning where innovation, excellence, and character are a guiding principle.
‘We are committed to empowering you with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for you to succeed in your chosen career, and which will ultimately enable you to make a positive impact in society”, Bishop Nwokolo assured.
He therefore encouraged parents and guardians to avail themselves the opportunity of enrolling their children and wards into the institution, saying, “We sincerely urge you to encourage your children and wards to embrace the opportunities that now lie ahead.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Mrs Hellen Abonye, had, also while clarifying issues concerning the institution appealled to parents and guardians to help their children and wards explore their passions, develop their skills, and become part of the vibrant polytechnic community.
According to her, the polytechnic offers the following accredited Ordinary National Diploma (OND): Computer Engineering; Computer Science and Library and Information Science, assuring that with time more courses would be added.
In a sermon during the church service, a guest preacher, the Rector, Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit, Bronx, New York, Ven Dave Nwanekpe, had advised the new archdeacons and canons to always show love and unity in their ministries.
While reminding them of what he called the enormity of their responsibility, Ven Nwanekpe encouraged them to continuously strive to live out their Christian life and objectively express their ministerial callings.
‘You must fear God not man”, he advised them, stressing that they were called for a higher responsibility for which he said they should not allow the challenges of the 21st Century Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology detract them from their ministerial focus.
Ven Nwanekpe who was the retreatant to the collated, admonished them that among other things, they should love God and take love, unity and humility as their watchwords.
Bishop Nwokolo had while collating the ministers subjected them to various oaths of allegiance during which rites they pledged to be obedient to Christ and to the Church, confessing not being members of secret cults nor being of questionable moral character.
The ten new Canons include: Rev Canon Emmanuel Eze, Rev Barr Oscar Akabuogu, Rev Canon Onyebuchi Emefo, Rev Canon Chidi Okonkwu and Rev Canon Maxwell Njoku.
Others are: Rev Canon Robinson Oputa, Rev Canon Innocent Ohaeri, Rev Canon Ananyochukwu Igweaka, Rev Canon Achebe and Rev Canon Johnson Iwuamaeze.
As well, the newly collated six Archdeacons are: Ven. Dr Sunday Achebe, Ven Dr Ebelechukwu Okonkwo, and Ven Benson Okafor.
Others include; Ven Dr Chukwudi Amasiatu, Ven Chukwudi J. B. Okafor and Ven Onyeka Onuzuruike.