The one week orientation programme for newly admitted students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti for the 2012/2013 academic session has ended with fanfare and clarion calls to the freshers to be devoted, steadfast and maintain the moral and academic excellence which the University had worked so hard to achieve.
The ceremony which took place at the magnificent Multi-Purpose Hall with over two thousand students and all the key officials of the University in attendance, featured among other things, motivational talks, lectures, sports, gala night etc. It was a statutory activity put in place by the management to assist fresh students feel emotionally secured and adjusted to their new academic environment.
In his statement, Aare Afe babalola explained that the establishment of ABUAD is to revolutionize education and engender transformation in University system which is solely of significance to the country at this period. He laid emphasis on ABUAD’s objective in impacting qualitative education at an affordable cost to average Nigerians, stressing that ABUAD is not established with the aim of making money, while the reasonable amount being charged is reinvested for development and making learning more conducive for students.
The Founder urged the new-intakes or freshers to take their studies seriously adding that ABUAD’s certificate will only be given to students who merit it and those who have imbibed the virtue of discipline, honesty, integrity, industry, reading and research.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ajisafe acknowledged that Aare Babalola’s model of education is purely humanitarian and not pecuniary coated. He bemoaned the awful state of education in the country, attesting that the Founder has selflessly committed his wealth to the promotion of education and knowledge.
He appealed to students to be good ambassadors of their homes while deploring high rate of indiscipline and acts of delinquencies perpetrated by students of other higher institutions.
Prof Ajisafe warned that any ignorable acts such as examination malpractices, stealing, smoking etc by students will attract summary dismissal.
Welcoming the Freshers into the magnificent Multi-Purpose Hall, the Chairman of the Orientation Committee, Prof. Adekunle Alalade, Who is also the Chairman, Parents-Teachers Consultative Forum congratulated them for being admitted into the best private University in Nigeria.
He told them to shun bad behaviors, negative tendencies and acts that can tarnish their image and that of their parents.
Prof Alalade emphasized the idea of goal setting as crucial to their success in life. He explained that goal setting which is a process of identifying and defining the aims, achievements and values one wish to fulfill has shown that self-confidence will improve, performances will be enhanced, laurels will be won and greater heights will be reached. Prof Alalade called on them to embrace goal setting as a compass to their academic accomplishments.
While noting that ABUAD is for academic excellence, Prof Alalade urged them to hit the ground running since the final Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the students will be determined by the efforts they put in. He announced that any student who excels in his or her studies with CGPA ranging from 5.0 to 4.5 will be awarded scholarship and merit awards by the Founder.
Also speaking, the Director of the Board of Trustees of the University, Prof Israel Orubuloye assured that ABUAD will maintain her in-loco-parentis-role for students to ensure adequate welfare, moral upbringing and high class education, and social training. He reminded them of the expectations of their parents and urged them not to allow peer group influence to distract their attention from their primary assignment.