• A cross-section of the matriculating NOCEN students
From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
The Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Prof. Josephat Okechukwu Ogbuagu, has warned the newly admitted students of the institution against engaging in anti-social activities capable of damaging the image of the institution. He said that the management of the institution would not hesitate to mete out disciplinary measures on erring students.
Prof. Ogbuagu issued the warning during the joint matriculation ceremony for the 28th NCE/6th degree and PDE 2016/2017 academic session done in affiliation with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“Your admission to this college is not a licence to chase vanities,” he warned. “It is an opportunity to improve yourself academically and retool with the requisite skills. To achieve this dream, you must be serious with your lectures, assignments, quiz, and examination. Do not allow ephemeral glories to becloud your vision of greatness.”
Ogbuagu pointed out that the college has put relevant facilities in place to make the academic environment conducive for the students and members of staff.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the affiliate University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, represented on the occasion by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Nkechi Esomonu, warned against all forms of rash behaviour that would portray the institution in bad light. He maintained that the institution, since inception many years ago, has drawn visible line against acts of cultism, certificate forgery, and all other anti-academic activities.
In a similar development, the Provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Dr Ego Uzoezie, has warned the new students admitted into the degree and NCE programme of the institution to steer clear of the ponzi schemes and all forms of gambling that would be inimical to their academic growth.
Dr. Uzoezie issued the warning during their 36th combined NCE and B.Ed matriculation of the institution. The degree programme of the college is done in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She said that with the rising cases of fraud and swindling associated with ponzi schemes, the institution would not allow any student who gambled with their school fees to take exams.
“For some of you who would rather than pay your fees, engage in ponzi business (MMM, etc), be rest assured that you may not take your exams if you fail to pay your school fees. As a matter of fact, if you have not paid your school fees, you are not a student of this institution” she said.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. B. C. Ozumba, represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Stella Nwizu, lamented that exam malpractice, cultism and all other vices have posed a serious challenge to the growth of education.
“What kind of posterity would be bequeathed to the country by an undergraduate who cheats in the exams, lies incessantly, joins secret cults, and becomes a terror to his peers?” he queried.
Some of the students from the institutions of higher learning who spoke with our reporter pledged to abide by the rules and regulations of the schools.