- Launches N500m research fund
The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) recently established in Ogoniland by President Bola AhmedTinubu has conducted its first matriculation admitting 1,004 pioneer students.
Tinubu had on February 3, 2025 signed into law the bill establishing FUET in Tai as part of his efforts to address years of environmental degradation and injustices in the area.
It was gathered that right from its inception, the first university in Ogoniland had made continuous progress especially with the appointment of Prof. Chinedu Mmoh as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor.
The matriculation, which was held at the university’s campus in Tai Local Government Area, was reportedly designed to coincide with the first anniversary of FUET’s establishment by President Tinubu.
During the ceremony, a N500m Research and Development Endowment Fund was established for the university.
FUET located in Koromo/Saakpenwa warned against any form of students’ exploitation such as extortion and sex-for-grades.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Don Baridam, who issued the warning said any lecturers or non-teaching staff engaged in acts capable of bringing the name of FUET into disrepute would face expulsion.
He urged the lecturers to see the undergraduates as their children and give them required guidance to enable them attain excellence.
He said: “To the lecturers and non-teaching staff: I advise you to take these pioneer students as your own children and guide them to succeed in their career choices. You must refrain from extortion, the sale of handouts, and demanding sexual gratification.
“Lecturers who are not visible on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and those local scholars who do not publish indexed articles will not be tolerated in this University, certainly not under my watch as Chairman of Council. The ball is now in your court”.
The Pro-Chancellor said that the matriculation marked the beginning of a new chapter in the students’ academic and personal development, congratulating them for scaling the hurdles to be admitted as pioneer students of FUET.
Addressing the students, he said: “You are not only here to acquire knowledge, but also to build your character, identity, and prepare yourselves to play responsible leadership roles in a society that will expect so much from you. I welcome you to this new academic family of students and lecturers united in their quest for specialised knowledge that would transform society for good.”
In his address, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedu Mmom said 1, 246 students matriculated and completed registration formalities.
Mmom said academic activities had started in the six faculties of Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Environmental Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences and Management Technology.
He said: “I am certain that the pioneer students we are matriculating today will share the University’s goals and aspirations and intentionally strive to contribute to its continued institutional growth and well-being.
“As students at the University of Environment and Technology, you are uniquely positioned to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time – such as climate change, resource depletion, and sustainable development.
“This auspicious event marks a defining moment in the life of each matriculant, and for this University, which occupies a special place in the educational, social, and development history of Ogoni land, Rivers State, and indeed the Federal Republic of Nigeria and beyond.”
Mmom appealed to the students to shun all forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices and indecent dressing, which he said had been carefully outlined in the students’ handbook.
He said: “Let me state this in unequivocal terms: The Federal University of Environment and Technology will not tolerate the distasteful practice of students’ involvement in cult-related activities, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, drug abuse, offering grades for money, sale of handouts and unapproved books or manuals, especially through the so-called Faculty or Departmental Representatives.
“Indecent dressing and all other forms of misconduct that are listed in our rules book. I wish to assure you that the first student to plant the evil seeds of cultism in this University will be uprooted with the force of energy and legal backing.
“Remember that you can only be allowed to participate in semester examinations conducted in this University if you attain no less than 75 percent class attendance and Continuous Assessment. This standard practice will be non-negotiable.”
Part of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of a statue of late environmentalist and playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa in front of the university auditorium by the Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, Nwachukwu Nnam-Obi ..
