Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, has donated 6,000 square meters of land at its Ugwuomu campus, for the construction of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Learning Centre (DNALC) Nigeria Science City.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility will be housing the Centers for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation (CeDFOCI), Training and Advanced Studies (CeTRAS), Research and Innovation (CeFARAI), Visual MediaComputation (CeSAVIMS) and a Startup Innovation Hub (CeSISTEN).
GOUNI Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christian Anieke, performed the handing over of the Science City to DNALC Nigeria Administration and the Construction team on Saturday in Enugu.
He said the project was being executed in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, GOUNI and the DNA Learning Centre, New York.
Anieke described the facility as a ground-breaking legacy project for the university, Enugu state and the entire African continent, saying it had long-term impact on the society.
According to him, the university is building for future generations and not just for itself.
He therefore, charged the engineers and everyone involved to view the project as a service to God and humanity.
In his speech, Deputy Director of DNALC Nigeria and the Project Coordinator, Mr Michael Okoro, said the six key sections of the Science City included DNA Centre for Forensic and Criminal Investigation.
Others are Centres for Training and Advanced Studies, Research and Innovation, StartUps and STEM Innovation, Centres for Visual Science Communications and Media Biology and Public Health Intervention focusing on pathogenic viruses and diagnostics.
Okoro said the project would be completed in seven phases, adding that the first two phases had been concluded and that the third phase would start in October.
He said that full installation of facilities would start April 2025, while the centre would be ready for inauguration June 2025.
The deputy director said that while the work would proceed at a fast pace, quality standards would not be compromised
Delivering a remark virtually, the Director of the Centre, Prof. George Ude, said he would commit his time and wealth of experience to ensure that the Science City fulfil its mandate and achieve its goals. (NAN)
