Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), a world class University described by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a model, benchmark and reference pointfor other Universitiesheld its4th Matriculation Ceremony for 2012/2013 Academic Session on Thursday, January 10, 2013.
Welcoming guests to the occasion, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sidi Osho, commended the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, for his untiring efforts in the development of this Citadel of Learning. She considered it an honour and privilege to receive and welcome the distinguished guests and parents to Afe Babalola University.
In her speech, she laid emphasis on the philosophy and vision of the University which is already been achieved. The vision is stated thus: “To be a world-class educational centre of excellence in academic, character, sport and vocational development; while the mission is: To be a result-oriented institution for producing highly skilled and socially relevant graduates capable of applying scientific knowledge for the resolution of social problems”
In the course of actualizing the vision and mission of the great Afe Babalola University, Prof. Sidi Osho said in her speech, that concrete and accelerated developments process have been put in place to make ABUAD distinct from other Universities across the globe. This is evident as shown with the speed with which the ultra-modern College of law building was competed making it one of the largest and best Law College/Faculty building in Nigeria. Other college buildings are of equal standard both in structure, elegance and functionality.
The University can also boast of other ventures such as the Bakery, Printing Press, Water Plant, Laundry and two Cafeterias with more than 1500 Students’ capacity each, the Guests House with a befitting and well-furnished facilities and Staff Quarters (with the Junior Staff Quarters recently completed). She referred to other newly completed projects and those that are nearing completion. The gargantuan College of Engineering complex and the state-of-the-art Sports Centre (with indoor games facilities) were among those she mentioned.
The Vice Chancellor hinted that Afe Babalola University has become an exclusive Tourist and Recreational Centre for adventure and excursion for people across the world. She further alluded to the uniqueness of the ABUAD Commercial Farming describing it as one of its kinds in the area of demonstrating and disseminating knowledge from its research results on contemporary agricultural exploits. She explained further that, there are over 75,000 mango trees that are fruiting in phase 1 and over 80,000 mango trees in phase II, over 50 (fifty) earthen ponds stocked with over 5000 fingerlings per pond. There is also the Hatchery that produces more than 100,000 fingerlings daily and over 1,000 Melina and Teak trees which have been planted in the University Farm Centre.
Continuing with her speech, she used the opportunity to sound a note of warning to the newly admitted students to shun all form of social vices which are capable ofendangering their moral sanctity and adversely affect their academic pursuit.
Prof. Sidi Osho, who gave the warning during the 2012 /13 Matriculation, said the institution, has zero tolerance for discrimination, extortion and all form of fraudulent practices; hence, the school authority will not hesitate to apply maximum sanctions on anyone caught perpetrating or encouraging the perpetration of those unforgiveable acts. She, however, stressed that the university will continue to encourage, motivate, reward and promote hardworking, serious-minded and honest students.
The Vice Chancellor opined that the University was committed to the fulfillment of students’ personal and collective dreams and urged them to be agents of change in our avowed commitment to transform education and elevate it to greater heights in the country.
In achieving this aim, Prof. Sidi Osho urged the Students to be sound in character and in learning. She appealed to them to familiarize themselves with the contents of the Students’ Handbook which is available to them in order to make them worthy leaders and achievers.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Matriculated Students, pointing out that their admission was based strictly on thorough screening, transparency and merit.
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While presenting the matriculating students to the Vice-Chancellor, the Provosts of the Colleges noted that all the matriculating Students have fulfilled all the University’s admission requirements and have been duly registered into their various colleges.
The oath of allegiance was administered to the students by the Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode.
At the end of the ceremony, Prof. Olowolafe gave the vote of thanks. In the process, the Professor expressed appreciation to the distinguished guests and parents for taking their time to grace the occasion with overwhelming pleasure.
The ceremony was well attended by parents of the students and the entire ABUAD Staff.
