By Omotayo Olatunde
Ado Ekiti
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure ,Professor Joseph Fuwape, has tasked new students on the need to abide by the rules and regulations guiding their studentship in order to achieve success during their sojourn in the University.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2020/2021 orientation programme for fresh students organized by the University’s Student Affairs Division recently, he said FUTA has zero tolerance for vices and does not condone laziness. He emphasized the University’s zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and other abhorrent behavior saying swift sanctions await students who indulge in untoward activities.
The Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Professor Philip Oguntunde encouraged the students to tap into the University’s core values of integrity, creativity and innovation, accountability, rationality and excellence as indices for performance. Fuwape also advised the students to work towards being found worthy in character and learning on graduation.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the students on the privilege of gaining admission after the rigorous selection process and urged them to make their time on campus worthwhile. He acknowledged the challenges of settling down facing the students on arrival, yet assured them of success if they could be disciplined and concentrate on studying rather than keeping bad company and acquiring vices.
Corroborating the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Students’ Affairs Division, Professor Gbenga Onibi advised the students to shun clubbing, violence, partying and drugs. He advised them to learn to do things in moderation and not take undue advantage of their freedom. He also advised against forming or joining harmful groups associated with cultism, hooliganism, gangsterism, alcoholism, casual sex, yahoo yahoo, yahoo+ and yahoo++. Professor Onibi advised them to associate with beneficial groups within and outside the campus but also remember to manage time adequately. He assured that the University management would provide basic amenities for conducive learning and promotion of good health. He therefore encouraged the students to make good use of provided facilities, particularly health facilities and consider the Students Affairs Division a second home for them.
Professor Onibi further advised the students to engage in other impactful activities to develop basic skills like communication/interaction, entrepreneurial, information and communication technology (ICT), leadership and even musical skills to increase their chances of making great contributions to the nation and themselves on graduation.
Addressing the students on the topic FUTA: from Obscurity to Prominence, Professor David Oke told the students to see themselves as part of the University community and major stakeholders not only for the period of their study but for the rest of their lives. He disclosed that FUTA had risen over the years from little beginning to become one of the leading citadels of academic excellence in the country with the collective effort of staff and students. He charged them to invest not just academically but all rounds in order to enjoy the FUTA brand and eventually contribute to its sustenance through laurels and awards of excellence.
The Bursar, Mr. Julius Adeshoba also urged the students to be tactful and financially responsible in order not to lack basic supplies. He warned against unequal yoking with friends who could lead them into financial crimes. The bursar, who was represented by Mr. Adekunle Alabi, also told the students to cultivate the habit of saving and consciously guide their records and assets from fraudsters.
Charging them further, the University’s Director of Sports, Dr Michael Ajibua shared the University’s sporting history and its success stories both nationally and internationally to motivate the students. He noted the need to engage in sporting activities to ensure a balanced life. The Director who is also a coach disclosed to the students how participation in sporting activities was a good way of redirecting their attention from friends and vices which could eventually end their dreams and destroy them.
The Student Affairs Officer, Mr. Feyi Adetula, commended management for investing in the new students from inception. He emphasized conscious dissociation from social vices whilst making special mention of the City of Talent drama group which condemned advanced fee fraud and indulgence in illicit drugs in its presentation.
