University of Ilorin, UNILORIN matriculates 10,886 as Vice-Chancellor tasks new students on excellence, discipline …cautions against cultism, pornography.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has told the newly admitted students of the institution to be committed to the ideals of excellence, discipline, peace, stability and development for which the University has been known for years.

He also cautioned them against cultism, unregistered groups and associations, and watching pornographic films in and outside the campus, warning that involvement in such associations and activities would derail their academic career and potential greatness.

These were the kernel of Prof. Ambali’s message to the new students in his address at the Matriculation Ceremony of the 2016/2017 academic session last Wednesday (March 1, 2017).

In his address, entitled “New Beginning”, the Vice-Chancellor told the students, “Equally, you don’t engage in examination malpractice; don’t join unregistered groups and associations; don’t dress indecently; don’t fight with anyone and don’t disobey constituted authority. With these tips, you will always be in good standing and even be outstanding in the University.”   

Congratulating the students for what he described as an important milestone in their life, Prof. Ambali pointed out that many had applied to study at the University but that only a few were admitted because of the limited number of spaces.

The Vice-Chancellor advised the new students to see their admission as a golden opportunity and to match it with a corresponding responsibility, adding that no one can limit them except they themselves. He said, “If you are target-driven and goal-oriented, your average of four years in the University will lay a solid foundation for your future. Interestingly, the future is even now. Therefore, set your mind to excel and by the grace of God, excellence shall be yours.”

Prof. Ambali informed the students that they would face challenges in the course of their studies but assured them that they would overcome because challenges are part of life, noting that anywhere there is a problem or challenge, opportunity is also present.

The Vice-Chancellor revealed that a total number of 110,675 candidates applied to study in the University in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with 13,570 admitted while 10,886 eventually registered in keenly contested but transparent admission exercise.

Prof. Ambali told the students that their set means a lot to him because “you are the last set of students that will matriculate under the Administration I am privileged to head”. He said that their admission was a golden opportunity that would launch them to lofty heights if properly treasured.

He said,  “I expect the best from you, our new students. I expect nothing, but hard work, from you. There is no room for vices here, once you are caught, you are gone”.

While administering the Matriculation Oath on the students, the Registrar of the University, Mr. Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, explained that the Matriculation is a solemn and sacred exercise representing a contract between the students and the University.

Mr. Obafemi, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar (Academic Support Services), Mrs. R. A. Okojie, charged the students to become great in their chosen career, adding that the sky would be their starting point if they take heed to the counsel given by the Vice-Chancellor in his address.

The programme was attended by the Principal Officers of the University, Provost and Deans of Faculties, some Directors of academic and non-academic units and a host of others..

A breakdown of the matriculated students show that the Faculty of Education has the highest number of 2,442 fresh students while the Faculty of Veterinary Science, with 40 registered new students, has the least.