GOUNI Radio: Giant Strides In 7 Years

By Bethel Okoye

GOUNI radio 106.9FM Enugu, the campus radio of Godfrey Okoye University on 15^th March, 2022 celebrated her radio day, commemorating the 7 years of its existence.

GOUNI Radio was officially commissioned in October 2014 and in 2016, won the best Campus Radio Station in Nigeria in the Campus/Online Category of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards.

The Radio is at the service of the students of Godfrey Okoye University to help them identify their talents and prepare the students of our Mass Communication in particular for the challenges of broadcasting in a technologically propelled age. Since its establishment, GOUNI Radio has trained over 60 graduates. Some were retained as staff and others have gone ahead to achieve great feats in the media industry, with awards to their names.

Highlights of the day was a stimulated transmission by the Press Team of Godfrey Okoye University, featuring a news broadcast of the major news bulletin of the station, an interview of the CEO/VC of GOUNI, Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke by students of Godfrey Okoye University Secondary School, Catch Them Young Team live programme by pupils of Godfrey Okoye Nursery and Primary School, Igbo folk tale by the Akuko Ifo Team, GOUNI Radio staff parade and goodwill messages from friends of the university.

In celebration of the day, the special guest of honour, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Cecilia Ezeilo lauded the Management and staff of Godfrey Okoye University Radio as she felicitated with the station on the occasion of its 7th year anniversary.

The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Lolo Chioma Ngwu made the remark in an address during the celebration of GOUNI Radio day held at the Peter Mbah Law Auditorium Thinker’s Corner Enugu. The Deputy Governor stated that GOUNI Radio has been a station of choice due to its educative, entertaining and informative programmes.

The Deputy Governor who was astounded by the beautiful presentation of pupils of Godfrey Okoye Nursery and Primary School said she was inspired and urged the University to continue grooming and nurturing, pupils and students who will make the state and country proud.

In his address, the CEO, GOUNI Radio and Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Rev Fr. Prof Christian Anieke described Radio as the cheapest and most reliable means to source credible information.

The Vice Chancellor who recounted his effort to set up the station in 2014 noted that he was confronted with various challenges which included getting the right personnel to pilot the affairs of the station.

He stated that despite the challenges, the station has continued to grow, training students who have excelled in various fields of broadcasting.

The Keynote Speaker, Professor Armstrong Idachaba, the former acting Director General, National Broadcasting Commission in a presentation gave the brief history of campus radio in Nigeria, highlighting its objectives and challenges. He stated that the sole purpose of a campus radio is to train students in all aspect of mass communication as well as engage them in practical skills.

He listed financing as a major challenge among many other challenges in establishing campus radio and urged the radio management not to deviate in the purpose for which the campus radio was established and sort for partnerships to compliment for it financial needs.

The Station Manager of GOUNI Radio 106.9FM, Mrs. Virginia Ani in a remark highlighted the operational routine of the station, noting that Gouni Radio has all units except for marketing due to its limitations as a campus radio.

The Communication Officer, UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Dr. Hilary Ozor in a remark commended the Vice Chancellor and the management team of the radio station for its tremendous success in the aspect of training young mass communicators.

He also appreciated the collaborative efforts of the station in airing UNICEF sponsored Covid-19 sensitization programme, COVID-19 Talks and reassured the station of its continued partnerships and collaboration.

In attendance were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Rev. Sr. Prof. MarySylvia Nwachukwu, the Registrar, Dr. Nnamdi N. S. Ene, the Bursar, Dr. Mrs Modesta Egiyi, the University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Juliana Iwu James, Professors of the university, Deans of Faculties, Director of Culture GOUNI, Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe, Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission, Enugu Zone, Ijeoma – Theo Obodo, Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, led by the President, Lolo Kate Ezeofor, Prof. Ike Ndolo, a renowned professor of communications, the Director of Communications, Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, Chairman, Ezeagu Union, Hon. Ozo Denis Onyebuchi, Isimmiri Ezeagu, Hon. Adinde Joseph and other friends of the university.

On the terrestrial, GOU transmit on 106.9FM and stream live on www.1069gouniradio.com/listenlive.