The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) admitted 6,000 new students out of the 30,000 candidates who applied to it for the 2010/2011 session, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, has said.

In his address at the orientation of the new students recently in Nsukka, Enugu State, Okolo said

“It is not a small achievement that out of 30,000 candidates, you are among the lucky 6,000 that gained admission”.

Represented by the Deputy- Vice-Chancellor in-charge of Administration, Prof. Egbeka Aja, the vice-chancellor said’ ‘you have the privilege of being a bearer of great legacy.

“What you make of your stay here and thereafter as a graduate of this university would have a footprint for others,” he said in the address titled: “Make your bed wisely today for assured tomorrow”.

Okolo urged the fresh students to always aim high, accept their responsibilities and recognise their challenges to overcome them, as well as be focused if they wanted to succeed in their academics. “What you make of your stay here will determine the rest of your life. University is a place where you have freedom to do whatever you like but it is left for you not to abuse the freedom.

“Nobody will compel you to submit your assignments or go to church, which your parents normally compel you to do.

“However, you must avoid bad friends and read your books if you want to excel,” he counselled. In a remark entitled “Dare to Be Different,” Dr Chidi Onyi, a scholar and motivational speaker based in the U.S., reminded the new students that they were the architects of their destiny, noting that’ ‘the grade you will make on graduation starts now.

“If you want to achieve excellence or failure in life, you determine it yourself.

“You should use your admission to improve the society by working hard to justify your parent’s investment in you.”

Some of the students told our correspondent that they were grateful to God and their parents who made it possible for them to gain admission in UNN.

They promised to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them by their families and the society.