Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye has matriculated fresh 7,000 students into various programmes for the 2021/2022 academic session. The freshmen who were admitted and duly registered across the Colleges, Faculties and Departments of the University, took the Oath of Allegiance at the matriculation ceremony held on Thursday, 17th November, 2022 inside the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Hall, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye.
In his address at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, congratulated the freshmen for successfully scaling the hurdles of qualifying examinations and other prerequisite qualifications necessary for gaining admission into the University. He urged the students to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the operations of the University, pointing out that such compliance would surely go a long way in moulding them into what they have dreamt of becoming in life.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the parents and guardians of the new students for providing the support and logistics to secure the admission, urging them to regularly monitor their wards and their academic performance.
Prof. Agboola, who noted that the matriculation marked the beginning of a new journey, warned the students against engaging in cultism, examination malpractice and any other form of social vices that could bring the University into disrepute. He declared that appropriate sanctions await any student found breaching the regulations of the institution He said, “I want to specially congratulate you students because this is the first matriculation I will be conducting as the Vice-Chancellor of this University and by the grace of God, I will see you through in the next five years.
“I like to congratulate you, once again, for the opportunity to be among those admitted to fill the University’s current admission quota of 7,000 out of over 20,000 candidates who took part in the Post UTME screening test for the 2021/2022 academic session. For you to have made the list, is indeed a rare privilege and should be thankful to God.”
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the matriculation climaxed the induction of the new students into the University system, which began with a three-day orientation programme previously organised by the University Management.
“I believe all of you freshmen must have gone through different sessions of talks, lectures and presentations that would, to a great extent, help to align your thought with the terms and conditions of achieving the set goal in your choice careers,” he added.
Prof. Agboola, who stated that the future of Nigeria lies in the hands of the students, however, cautioned them against political violence and thuggery as the country moves into the electioneering period.
He said, “Towards ensuring that your individual dreams and aspirations come to fruition, this Institution has as its mission, the provision of the best educational experience for its students and the public, through ‘excellence in teaching, research, creative activities and service to the State, society and the world at large.’
“Very importantly too, now that we are in the electioneering period as a nation, under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be used for any purpose that would bring the name of the University into disrepute. Say no to political violence or thuggery. You are more precious than that, because the great future of this country lies in your hands,” he further enjoined the matriculants. The Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for the students to regularly attend lectures and do their assignments, adding that they must study very well and prepare adequately for their examinations.
“I pray God will give you students the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to make the best out of your academic pursuit in this great University,” he added.
Prof. Agboola assured the matriculants that OOU had been adequately positioned to prepare its students to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century as prospective graduates. For the students to excel, the Vice-Chancellor tasked their parents and guardians to make it a point of duty to regularly check on them “and in most cases, when they least expected.” He added, “This is important, if you must know what kind of a person he or she truly is. Endeavour to ask them and possibly their lecturers, questions on their academic progress. The University edu.portal is also a veritable platform on which you can, at a glance, view their academic performance, once you have the password to their profile.
“You should, therefore, demand for the password from them and carry out a regular check on their results as they progress on their studies. Importantly too, pray for them always. These children are coming into an environment that is very different from where they are coming. They are, therefore, vulnerable to different forms of ill advices, if not well monitored.”
The matriculation ceremony was graced by other Principal Officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; the Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole, and Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde.
Also, the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who was represented by the Ogun State Coordinator of the board, Mr Abdulhameed Hakeem, attended the event as well as Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, College Secretaries and Faculty Officers in the University.
