2nd December, 2010
What would you do if you were among 6,400 students that were matriculated recently at the prestigious University of Lagos out of 62,276 candidates that applied for admission and the 45,369 that eventually sat for the post UTME? Scream, jump, dance or cry?
Well, that’s exactly what some students are still doing. It was a week-long orientation programme for the newly admitted students of the schoool, which started Monday, 22 to Friday, 26 November, 2010.
At the opening the ceremony of the 2010/2011 orientation programme for freshers, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Adetokunbo B. Sofoluwe, welcomed the new comers to the university.
He congratulated the ‘chosen few’ who constituted part of the 10 per cent of the applicants registered as worthy Akokites, admonishing them that the journey of three, four, five or six sessions, (depending on the course of study) requires determination, diligence, dedication and focus.
“You must have a vision, a dream. I envisage that your goal should be to acquire academic excellence with good character within the set time. When you exhibit this behaviour, surely you will excel, win accolades and graduate in flying colours,†he told the excited students.
In a fatherly tone, he admonished the jambites to shun all vices such as internet fraud, violence, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cultism, etc. as any form of misconduct or poor performance can abruptly terminate their studies because the university pays premium attention to safety as well as security and has zero tolerance for crimes and criminals
He enthused that his administration, through team work, will ensure that UNILAG remains not just a centre of excellence but ranked among the first one hundred universities in the world.
This was greeted with shouts and applause from the freshers who could not conceal their excitement.
Prof. Sofoluwe encouraged the jambites to avail themselves of the school’s facilities such as the medical centre, the counseling centre, sport centre, libraries, internet connectivity, and the Centre for Information Technology (CITS), where students are encouraged to acquire their personal lap-tops by cash or pay in instalments.
He also noted that students should not hesitate to report personal challenges and all forms of harassment.
Finally, he listed out incentives and motivational packages the university offers students on a cumulative grade point – average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above. These include:
•An annual endowment scholarship of N50,000
•Provision of accommodation in choice halls
•Fifty per cent discount on bed space.
•Nomination for participation in seminars and conferences nationally and internationally
•Nomination for scholarship from external bodies on request by organisations
•Selection as guest speaker at orientation programme to motivate fresh students.
After the vice chancellor’speech, Generational Rescue had a chat with some of the jambites, who expressed joy over their new achievement.
Akangbe Olaolu Olumuyiwa, who is studying Creative Arts, was one of them. “I am very glad because it is a privilege to work hard and get the right result. It has been so interesting, but also stressful. You know we have to go up and down to collect and submit files. But the fact that you are doing it with new friends makes it interesting.
“This is a new experience. Unlike in the secondary school, when we copy notes and teachers take time to explain topics to us, here lecturers will just come around and start talking. If you don’t write fast, you will be surprised when he says the lecture is over,†she said.
“No, I have no disappointment but the authorities should please make the registration process easier. I remember I got sick because of the stress.â€
Another student, Amarachi from Department of Geology, also expressed delight to be among the ‘chosen few’.
“I m very happy and grateful to God who made it possible for me to be on the merit list. I intend to spend the next five years very well by being hard working and dedicated to my studies. I will also be very prayerful because I intend to get a GPA of 4.5 by the special grace of God,†he said.
