University of Ibadan (UI) has formally admitted 4,174 regular students to its various academic programmes with the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Ekanola urging the new students to be diligent, disciplined and dedicated to their studies.
Prof. Ekanola’ s admonition at the virtual matriculation ceremony was similar to the pieces of advice given to the students by the Matriculation Speaker, Dr. Boluwatife Ndidiamaka Ikwunne who shared her experiences which she said facilitated her excellent academic performance in UI, becoming the best top two in her class with numerous prizes in 2019 graduating set of Medicine and Surgery.
Addressing the matriculating students, Prof. Ekanola disclosed that the Covid 19 pandemic has compelled the university to resort to online lecturing, saying the “university treasures the lives of the students and will therefore not want to take chances, hence, all our activities this semester will be conducted online.”
According to the Acting VC, “none of our students has reason to be on campus. Stay at home and ensure you observe all the Covid 19 protocols. The virus is real. Please, wherever you are, make sure you stay safe. We really value your lives”
Prof. Ekanola told the new students that the university has zero tolerance for cultism andother unethical behavior, pointing out that the visa between matriculation and graduation comprises hard work, dedication, discipline, and focus as well as knowing the purpose of coming to the university.
His words: “we pay attention to good character and soft skills that will contribute to your overall success in life, therefore be regular at lecture, do your assignments properly and timely, shun all evil activities, show respect to staff members and your colleagues and with hard work, I am sure success will be yours.”
In her matriculation lecture, Dr. Boluwatife Ndidiamaka Ikwunne, a 2019 UI’s graduate who is a 2020 Young Innovation Leaders Fellow and winner of the 2021 Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa, set to undertake Post Graduate studies at the University of Oxford this October, gave the matriculating students some wisdom nuggets which she said contributed to her success.
Dr. Ikwunne who pleaded with the students not to be afraid of failure identified purpose, humility, consistent self-development, curiosity, time management and networking as ingredients of success, advising students to cultivate the habit of being truthful to themselves .
The young scholar who became the cynosure of all eyes on the occasion, disclosed that she was frightened when she matriculated eight years ago in UI, but when she got her act together, later realized the greatness in her.
While administering the oath, the Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi asked the students to be of good conduct and obey all the rules and regulations of the university, stressing that the students would sign the matriculation register when they physically resume in second semester.
The University’s Librarian, Dr. Helen Komolafe Opadeji later presented a plague of honour to the Matriculation Speaker.
