By John Odunjo
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, on Thursday charged Nigerian youths and leaders in various capacities to be diligent and focused in order for the nation to achieve greatness.
The VC advised the leaders to make Nigeria their priority, saying, “We must learn to be focused as Nigerians and shun sentiment and unnecessary emotion. We must understand one another and work together in a harmonious way.”
Fasina also urged university students, including freshers to “respect rules and regulations, be diligent in their studies, eschew all forms of social vices, including cultism, sexual harassment, advance fee fraud and internet fraud, examination malpractices and indecent dressing” among others.
The VC spoke at Oye Ekiti during the convocation ceremony for 7,377 fresh students admitted into the university for 2023/2024 academic session.
He assured the freshers and as well returning students that FUOYE would provide enabling environment for them to thrive and achieve their lofty dreams.
Fasina said, “I am particularly delighted and grateful to God for witnessing another matriculation ceremony of this great citadel of learning. Of the 12 universities in our generation, FUOYE remains the first and the best among its peers. As a matter of fact, FUOYE keeps beating older generation universities in terms of subscription and even webometrics rankings across various platforms.
“During the UTME that brought you in, a total of 33,751 candidates subscribed to our university. To give you a more detailed picture, as at yesterday, 7,377 candidates had accepted their admission into the University while 615 were at various stages of the admission process.
“These candidates were admitted into the over 77 programmes run by the university in our 14 faculties including the College of Medicine which has its very first set of students here with us.
“I can assure you that FUOYE is the place to be, FUOYE is the university to beat and FUOYE will not let you down; as you must not let yourselves, your parents and your generation down”.
“As you embark on this interesting but challenging adventure in pursuit of knowledge for self-development and the advancement of humanity, I urge you all to seize every positive opportunity to contribute to FUOYE and Nigeria’s development.
“On our part, we will always endeavour to provide you with an enabling environment to actualise your potentials. We will not fail in our duty of care to you, as a university. But you must work collaboratively and sacrificially with us to make this happen. In making this commitment, we are not oblivious of certain extraneous variables outside our own control.
“As partners in progress, I urge the matriculating students of today to honour their matriculation oath and attendant obligations, most notably the payment of all approved fees and registration. Without these essential first steps, you cannot fully actualise your studentship”.
He advised the freshers to always consult the Student’s Handbook for guidance.
