The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, has charged newly admitted students of the institution to ensure that they focus on the reason they were considered suitable to be part of the university community, and nothing else.
Giving the charge last Saturday during the 13th matriculation ceremony of the university, Onuchuku stated that beyond concentrating on their studies and shunning all vices, the students should know that gaining admission is just the beginning of their journey in the tertiary institution.
“You’re to shun all those unprofitable habits that have destroyed some of your predecessors, who abandoned their studies to follow the bright city lights, which inevitably led them to perdition and regret.
“You must shun cultism, examination malpractices, drug addiction, indecent dressing, prostitution and unnecessary travels that keep you away from the classroom, among other vices”, he said.
The VC also charged the new students to obey extant rules and regulations that govern the terms of their admission at all times, noting that defaulters will be duly dealt with.
While congratulating the students on their admission, he advised them not to be carried away by the euphoria therein, saying that it’s only the beginning for them on the road to moulding their lives for the better.
“While today should rightly bring you immense pride and a sense of personal fulfilment in your quest to acquire a university degree, I hasten to advise that you should not be conceited in any way.
“Today’s Matriculation Ceremony should rather serve as a platform for you to set achievable goals for yourselves, and not an excuse for you to stop working hard, beccause of the seminal success you have achieved by entering the university.
“Remember, this is just the beginning, and your parents will no longer be there to guide your steps”, he advised.
While thanking the State Governor, NyesomWike, for the deliberate  attention given to the development of education in the institution, and others in the State, the VC also called on parents and guardians not to stop supporting their children and wards all through their stay in the institution.
“It is important that you continue to support them by promptly paying up all approved charges that would enable the university’s Management give the students the best education available here.
“You are also to uphold them in your prayers. In addition, parents are advised to closely monitor the academic and social activities of their wards to ensure that they are on the right track at all times”, he urged.
Meanwhile, the university admitted a total of 6,058 fresh students out of 14, 207 that applied for admission in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This, the VC said, is not only an increase in subscription rate by intending students, but also “a vote of confidence in the quality of education we offer her.
A breakdown of the admitted figure shows that of the seven Faculties in the university, “Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences” recorded the highest number of admissions with 1, 841 intakes.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu & Sogbeba Dokubo