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UNIZIK VC Speech on 2016/2017 Matriculation Ceremony

ADDRESS BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR JOSEPH EBERENDU AHANEKU, FAS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2016/2017 MATRICULATION CEREMONY OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY HOLDING ON FRIDAY 27th  JANUARY, 2017.

1.   PROTOCOL

2.   INTRODUCTION

I am glad to welcome you all: fresh students, other students, parents/guardians, staff and friends of the University to the 2016/2017 Matriculation Ceremony, coming after the orientation programme which held from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th December 2016.

With today’s matriculation ceremony the 2016/2017 admission cycle has been brought to a formal end.  Let me once again congratulate you for being among the more than seven thousand (7000) candidates offered admission out of the numerous candidates that had applied.

3.   THE THRUST OF OUR ADMINISTRATION

The dream of our Administration, which came on board in June 2014, is to so raise the global visibility of the University such that at the end of my tenure it would have become one of the best five hundred (500) universities in the world, one of the best one hundred (100) universities in Africa and the best University in Nigeria.  My vision, mission and  agenda  for the University  revolve around  this lofty  but quite realizable goal.  We are harnessing all resources, human and material, from within and outside the University in the pursuit of the actualization of this goal.

During the orientation ceremony I had spoken of the facilities we have put in place in the University in order to provide a congenial learning environment for the students.  On account of the importance of these, I would summarise them as outlined below:

(a) We have instituted a work-aid scheme to assist some indigent and physically challenged students.  Our Work-Aid students put in 5 hours of work a week and are paid Ten thousand Naira (N10,000.00) monthly.  To qualify for this scheme, the student must have a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.50 or more on a 5 point scale and be cleared by the Security Department.

(b) The University has also instituted a Group Personal Insurance Scheme.  On the payment of the appropriate fee, this insurance scheme covers the death, permanent disability or illness of the student or his/her Sponsor.

(c) Our hostels have well-equipped common rooms and access to DSTV cable network.  There are stand-by electric generating sets and adequate supply of water.  We shall continue to improve on our facilities.

We have three sets of hostels;

(i)  University Hostels;

(ii) ELMADA Hostel; and

(iii) Catholic Hostel at Amansea  (Youth Village)

You are advised to make use of the above hostels, but if you must live in private accommodations, please register such hostels with the University through the Student Affairs Department.

4. ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

The academic programmes of the University are accredited with the National Universities Commission.  Those that have regulatory professional bodies have been accredited by such bodies as outlined below:

·     Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN);

·     Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN);

·     Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN);

·     Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN);

·     Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON);

·     Pharmacists Council of Nigeria;

·     Nigerian Council of Legal Education;

·     Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria;

·     Medical Rehabilitation Board of Nigeria;

·     Quantity Surveyors’ Registration Board of Nigeria;

·     Estate Surveyors’ and Valuers’ Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVABON);

·     Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON);

·     Surveyors’ Council of Nigeria (SURCON); and

·     Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

We have linkages with eighteen (18) world-renowned Universities spread across the United States of America, China, Europe and Africa.  This is in addition to linkages with six (6) local Institutions.

The essence of these linkages is to facilitate academic programme development, teaching/research, public service and staff/student exchange.

I have provided the above information to give you a faint idea of what efforts have been put in to provide you the most congenial environment for your development in character and learning.

5. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS

For your stay in this University to successfully end with the acquisition of a University degree, you owe certain obligations to the University, your parents and yourselves.  I  had  already  dwelt  extensively  with  some  of  these  issues  in  my address during the orientation ceremony, but for the avoidance of doubt they are summarized below:

(a) Payment of Fees

It needs no gainsaying that you must pay your school fees as and when due to enable the University maintain existing facilities and provide new ones.  Any student who does not pay his/her fees by the appropriate time runs the risk of being excluded from examinations.

(b)  Attendance to Lectures

You must attend at least 75% of all lectures and practicals for you to be allowed to write examinations.

 

(c)  Examination Misconduct

This could fetch you suspension for up to three years and even expulsion.

(d)  Certificate Forgery

Students found to have registered with fake certificates are expelled from the University.

 

(e)  Cultism

This is anathema in the University.  All proven cultists are expelled.

 

Other deviant behaviour such as robbery, rape etc. are not tolerated for these are both misconduct and crime punishable by expulsion by the University and terms of imprisonment by the State.

 

6. CONCLUSION

Let me conclude by congratulating you once again.  It is my prayer that you have a successful stay in the University.  Pass through the University and let the University pass through you.  In the meantime, I hope all the guests would enjoy their stay at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

 

Thank you.

 

Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, FAS

Vice-Chancellor

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