The Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Professor Chigozie Ogbu, has charged over five thousand (5000) newly admitted students of the institution to take their studies seriously and avoid wasting their time socialising or engaging in irrelevant non-academic activities, including cultism, exam malpractice, and others.
The students received the charge during the 26th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the school’s main campus on Saturday.
According to the VC, anyone found wanting in the school will be shortchanging his or her future and will live to regret it for the rest of their life as the school does not tolerate indiscipline.
His words: “I will begin by congratulating and highly commending our new students for achieving this important milestone of gaining admission into a university in your educational pursuit.
This is a stepping stone and an opportunity towards a brighter and more promising future. Today, you have officially become a valuable member of the EBSU community, a university whose motto, “Development and Excellence,” defines its mission of nurturing our students to develop worthy character and academic excellence.
We welcome you on board and assure you of our commitment to enabling you to achieve your educational objectives.
“Our very dedicated academics and staff in all the faculties are committed to teaching and mentoring you, and all you need is to cooperate with them.
“It is a thing of pride to inform you that your choice of institution, Ebonyi State University, is a highly rated university.
“In the international and national ranking of world universities from Webometric in Spain, your university ranked first among all state universities in the South East, third behind the University of Nigeria (UNN) and UNIZIK among all universities in the South East. Nationally, EBSU ranks 6th out of 54 state universities in Nigeria and 32nd out of 278 Nigerian universities.
“This educational journey you have embarked on is a transformative enterprise, giving you the opportunity to have a successful, joyous, and glorious future.
The outcome of it is entirely in your hands. Every student admitted to EBSU is a potential first-class student.
Whether you end up with a first, third, or pass depends on how you apply yourself to your studies. You cannot pass an examination without attending your classes, doing your assignments, and studying your books.
“If you waste your time socialising or on irrelevant non-academic activities, you will be shortchanging your future, and you will live to regret it for the rest of your life. Let me warn you of the dangers you, as a new student, face that could abort your educational career.
“First among these is cultism. As new students, some older dropout students will come to lure you into cultism through various tactics.
“Do not accept to go to any meeting outside the campus for which you do not know and agree with the agenda.
“You are very capable of taking care of yourself, and if you have any issues, go to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. If you are identified as a cultist, your career ends, thereby being rusticated.
“The second is exam malpractice or irregularities. Those who cheat in exams are those who have not studied and know that they are going to fail, and their only chance is to cheat.
Do not find yourself in this category because you may be expelled from the university or at the very least suspended for 1–2 years.
“EBSU has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-social behaviour, including drug abuse, gender-based violence, or any other form of violence, and disobedience to regulations.
“Whenever you want to engage in any anti-social activities, remember the pain and shame you will bring to your parents and guardians, who have sacrificed so much and are still sacrificing to give you this opportunity.” He said
The VC further cautioned students against indecent dressing to avoid sexual harassment and urged them to report any form of harassment or intimidation to the appropriate quarter.
“Let me inform you that deviant lecturers prey on academically weak students who cannot pass the exams, except by succumbing to extortion of money or sexual gratification.
If you apply yourself diligently to your studies and know yourself, no lecturer will dare harass you. But we assure you that EBSU Management will fully protect you from any harassment by a lecturer, and I urge you never to be afraid to report any harassment. I wish you a resounding success at Ebonyi State University.”. He added
The VC, however, thanked the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his wife, Mary-Maudaline Nwifuru, for their commitment to taking the university, of which they are both alumni, to a higher level.
The VC, however, assured parents and guardians of the students that their children will be safe in their care as they are ready to mentor and nurture them, including imparting to them the knowledge of critical thinking and analytical thinking that will make them succeed in the wilder world.
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