From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCEN), Anambra State, Dr. Ifeyinwa Osegbo, and the vice-chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe, have warned new students of the institution to shun cultism, sexual misbehaviour, indecent dressing, examination malpractices, thuggery, fraudulent acts and other nefarious activities that could mar their educational pursuits.
The duo gave the warning during the 42nd matriculation of the college for NCE and degree affiliated programmes of NOCEN, stating that “Nigeria and the world at large have infested us with so many social vices.”
The college is affiliated to UNN to offer B.Ed and professional diplomas in various disciplines of the institution.
The NOCEN provost administered the matriculation oath on NCE students, while the UNN VC represented by the dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Joachim Omeje, also administered matriculation oath on degree students, numbering over 600.
Both urged the students to take their academic activities seriously to come out in flying colours, and warned them to desist from activities capable of ruining their lives and their academic future.
Osegbo said that the matriculation conferred on the students full membership of the institution, having fulfilled all necessary entrance requirements.
She said: “You are, therefore, expected to exhibit high sense of discipline and decorum here in school and outside. You are expected to make the college proud with high moral standards, which the college is known for and will expose you to. You are, therefore, encouraged to participate in students’ union activities responsibly without causing unnecessary interruption to the academic calendar so that you will graduate as at when due alongside with your peers elsewhere.
“I wish to assure you of maximum security on the campus. We, however, plead that you do not hesitate to report any suspicious activities to the dean of Student Affairs, your head of department, security officers and your course advisers,” Osegbo stated.
In his remarks, the UNN VC said that the degrees, diplomas and other certificates of the university are awarded only to those who have been found worthy in character and learning, emphasizing that the institution places high premium on character and humanity as it seeks to produce law-abiding and decent citizens.
His words: “In addition to working hard to earn good grades, you have to abide by the rules, regulations and laws of the university and the wider society. Some of these rules and regulations are contained in the student handbook, which you should all have.
“As a warning, the UNN and of course all our affiliate institutions have a policy of zero tolerance on cultism. Therefore, any student caught indulging in secret cult activities would be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution and subsequent expulsion. It is also important that you are advised in your own interest, to desist from other forms of crime.
“There is also no place for examination malpractice at the UNN and all its affiliates. The regulation of the university specifies a number or stringent punishments to students who embark on any form of examination malpractice.
“Also, all forms of violence, violent conducts, indulgence in drug use, unlawful protests and all forms of misconducts are not condoned on all our campuses. Do not join others in taking laws into your hands rather, embrace formal and all available mechanisms in resolving issues no matter how serious you consider those issues to be.
“The university has also introduced entrepreneurial skills courses to equip students with life, survival and business skills that will enable them become self-employed and self-reliant upon graduation. Therefore, explore these opportunities to maximum while studying here to be better prepared for life after graduation.’’
Some of the matriculants students; Cynthia Sergius, Paschaline Onuora both students of English Education and Paulinus Chukwuemeka of Agric Education, said they felt elated to be part of the matriculation vows, stating that their choice of the institution was based on its competitive teaching history.