Federal College of Education (FCE) Okene, Kogi state, has matriculated 161 students into the 11th undergraduate programmes of the institution for the 2018/2019 academic session.
Addressing the undergraduates shortly after the administration of matriculation oath at the institution, the vice chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, told the students that the affiliate university remains the epitome of knowledge, morality and decency within and outside Nigeria, urging them to display a high moral standard in all their activities within and outside the academic environment.
“The University of Ibadan forbids all forms of social vices such as cultism, drug abuse, cyber crime, uncultured dressing and most importantly, examination malpractice.
“I therefore implore you to obey the rules which are in place for your own good. The university will not, in any way, shirk in its responsibility to produce highly disciplined and responsible students. This is why the institution places high premium on moral uprightness,” the VC said.
The vice chancellor who was represented by Director, Directorate of Affiliated Institutions, Professor M. K. Akinsola, charged the matriculating students to always get involved in positive activities that would enable them to become high intellectual that would be found worthy in both learning and character at the end of their studies.
Commending the management of the institution on the success recorded so far on the programme, the vice chancellor assured that the university would continue to do its best to sustain the culture of academic excellence in all its affiliated institutions.
Earlier, provost of the college, Dr Umaru Hassan, in his speech, disclosed that 50 students were admitted to 100 level while 111 students to 200.
Dr Hassan urged the new students to take their academic works seriously and shun examination malpractice, cultism and other anti-social activities that are inimical to their scholarly pursuits.
“I am aware that you have been enlightened on the fundamentals and basic values guiding your course of study in both institutions. It is very important to stick to those rules and regulations religiously because any default by you will attract serious negative consequences.
“You are therefore expected to digest thoroughly and comply with them to serve as your guide in navigating through the fountain of university education,” Dr Hassan told the students.
The provost who commended UI for its commitment toward the success of the programme, appealed to the management of the institution to prevail on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to increase the carrying capacity of the college and reduce the cut-off point.
“One of the teething problems this programme is confronted with is the dwindling enrollment, which we believe is not unconnected with the high cut-off point of the university, pegged at 200.
“To improve on this trend, I wish to reiterate our earlier position calling on the university to review the cut-off point to 180 for affiliate institutions to accommodate the teeming prospective candidates seeking admission placement on the programme in the college.
