Vice –Chancellor (VC) of McPherson Univeristy (McU) in Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, Prof Adeniyi Agunbiade has listed some factors that will enhance the institution’s rating.
Good character and academic excellence, he told matriculating students, would do the trick.
He enjoined the students to study hard and imbibe good behaviours, saying such remained the bedrock of building a career and their future.
At the fifth matriculation of the university, held at its multipurpose hall, Prof Agunbiade promised that the school would not derail from the values of its founding fathers.
The institution would not condone drug peddling, gambling, cultism, indecent dressing and malpractices of any sort.
The VC advised the freshers to stay away from crime, saying the university would not hesitate to rusticate or expel students found guilty.
He said: “You are in the university to study. You must be properly guided on how to achieve academic excellence and avoid regret at the end of your journey here. I enjoin you to study hard and build good character. This will help you build your professional career after school.”
Prof Agunbiade said the school expected students to give their best intellectually and morally, saying: “We expect you to place those excellent potential in the service of our nation, and the entire world to the glory of God after graduation. The degree you will earn at McU is for excellence in character and learning.”
During the pre-matriculation lecture titled: What are you doing here?, Prof Oluremi Sonaiya, a linguist and a former presidential candidate of KOWA Party in the 2015 general elections, advised the youth to contribute to the global pool of knowledge and human advancement. This, she said, would reposition Africa for progress.
The former Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife don urged students to work together with the school to re-shape the values that dominate societies.
In her 14-page paper, she said: “Many of you here may have had brilliant performances in your primary and secondary schools. Do not rely on those experiences in approaching this new situation. Do not take anything for granted and always be on your guard.
“You have not travelled this way before, and the winning attitude to imbibe is openness, eagerness to discover and learn new things, a readiness to have your views and perspectives on issues challenged so that you can learn some things.”
According to her, there must be equal access for everyone to engage and participate in the development of the society, noting that nations would reap the fruit of moral choices they make. She said Nigeria must begin to recognise the need for morality in the conduct of its affairs in public and private lives.
She said: “We do not seem to realise that when we permit, through our complacency, our apathy, or our unquestioning attitude the practice of immoral acts, we pay dearly for it down the line. When we are slack in demanding moral accountability from the leaders entrusted with the running of our affairs, but instead allow them to loot our treasury and steal our common wealth, we pay the price by condemning ourselves to a substandard level of existence. We would have dilapidated schools, poorly equipped hospitals, bad roads, poor delivery of services in key infrastructure.”
Agunbiade hailed Sonaiya for “incisive lecture”, hoping the theme of the lecture would have lasting impact on the fresh students.
Chairman of the school Board of Trustees, Dr Mayowa Afe, said the board would not relent in supporting the management. He praised the management for its commitment to the ideals of the founding fathers, which, he said, would make the nation better.
The VC thanked the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria and the school Visitor, Reverend Felix Meduoye, members of the Board of Directors, and National Executive Council (NEC), who attended the occasion.