Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, has charged staff and students of the university to protect the image of the institution by living up to expected standard.
“We are not running this university alone. We have other stakeholders, so we need to secure the image of the university.”
Onuchuku gave the charge during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony held at the university’s Auditorium, recently.
He announced a total number of graduating students for the academic session as 3,209, giving the breakdown to include First Class, Second Class Upper Division, Second Class Lower Division and Third Class.
“For the 2021/2022 academic session, we are graduating 20 First Class, 763 Second Class Upper Division, 2,367 Second Class Lower Division and 59 Third Class, totaling 3,209.
He said students must endeavor to obey university rules and regulations and engage themselves in meaningful activities, as the school has a zero tolerance for examination malpractices.
“We are determined to censor the few bad eggs, who brings the image and reputation of this university into disrepute and ridicule.
“The management has zero tolerance for corruption and cultism and it’s ready to show culprits the way out of this university.
“In a Duncan world in which social media is every part of our life, it is important that all staff and students must conduct themselves in a manner befitting of a people in a selected community of scholars and administrators.
“Our duty as educators is to help our students to interpret knowledge in a way to conform to 21st century information technology,” he said.
Onuchuku while calling for collaboration with industries and other stakeholders assured that all hands must be on deck to ensure there is adequate security in the area.
“We must continue to collaborate with industries and other stakeholders particularly in research and development in order to address the problem of the society powered by the triple ellipse principles. I am pleased to report that we have actively forged a closer partnership with the law enforcement agencies and host communities. Luckily, our proactive measures have brought near zero security breaches in and around the university. The relative peace we enjoy in this university will be sustained. I will like to add that we are doing close monitoring with the security agencies to ensure there is no victim”, he said.
He thanked host communities and security agencies for their unalloyed support, love and understanding.
Onuchuku further charged the graduating students to go out to the world and show proof of their merited grades.
“Having properly scrutinised your express qualifications and approved that you will be conferred with a degree, the Senate of the university has confirmed that you have been found worthy both in character and learning. It is now your own turn to prove to the university and the world that you merited your grades and that you can defend your certificates with pride and honour. If you bring shame to yourself, then, you bring shame to the university,” he added.
He used the opportunity to thank the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the many interventions made in the school since his assumption of office.
On her part, the overall best student of the institution, Worlu Jeanetta Worluh in her valedictory speech, charge her fellow graduands to always strive to be great.
Fellow graduands, I believe the future is very bright, for we are our own destinies. Despite the economic, political, security challenges, to mention but a few, that plague our dear country, we must not forget that one man can change the world. Change begins with us. The transformation we desire must start from us. In Simple terms, charity begins at home.”
Worluh as well encourage students of the University to take their studies seriously and never to give in to negative vices
“To students in their current programmes, your dreams and aspirations are valid, do not relent. Your being here is not a mistake. You must make most of it. For anything worth doing is worth doing well. You must avoid any deviant behaviour and abide by the rules and regulations of the University.
She promised to represent the school well as well make her parents to be more proud of her.
Also speaking, a graduating student of Management Sciences, who hails from Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Miss Peace Azeru expressed joy and excitement that despite her poor background, she managed home front with her aged mother and siblings and scale through her academic hurdles.
“I am so excited today to be among those graduating because I never thought I could make it considering my poor background and no one to train me, but despite all odds I put my trust in God and today, I am a graduate of Management Sciences.
“I want to charge all those who are passing through the same thing to know that education is key to getting out of poverty and become rich, so no matter the challenge include education, so that you become useful citizens of your country. Never give in to cultism and other negative vices,” Azeru added.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana