All roads led to Seriki-Sotayo near Abeokuta in Ogun State when the McPherson University held its second matriculation. AYODEJI ADESINA reports.
The quiet Seriki-Sotayo community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State came alive last Tuesday when the McPherson University, held its the second matriculation. Parents, guardians and residents thronged the campus to celebrate with the freshers.
By 10am, the students and their parents were already seated in the university’s multipurpose hall, waiting for the arrival of the principal officers.
A few minutes later, the procession of members of the university administration, adorned in blue academic gown, moved into the hall.
The freshers, who were led to the hall by the Students’ Affairs Officer, Mr Olufemi Adebowale, filed out in a procession according to their faculties. They could not hide their joy when the event started.
The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Adeniyi Agunbiade, led the procession of principal officers, which included the Acting Dean of the College of Social and Management Sciences Dr Anthony Okubanjo, Dean of College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Prof Olusegun Atanda and Dean of College of Humanities Prof Olusola Ojo.
Others are the university Librarian, Mr Tunji Abayomi; Bursar Mr Adeyemi Onilado and Registrar Mrs Adebola Abegunde.
In his address, Prof Agunbiade reminded the students that the path to academic excellence was through quality decision, diligence, doggedness and devotion to God, urging them to maintain excellence in line with the vision of the institution’s founding fathers.
“The university expects you to bring the best – intellectually and morally – out of yourself, and it expects you to place those excellent potentialities in the service of Nigeria and the entire world to the glory of God. You must be aware that the degree you earn here is for excellence in character and learning,” the VC said.
Agunbiade warned the students, saying the university has zero tolerance for malpractice. He said the Senate would sanction erring students. He also urged the students to obey the university rules, they should shun vices that could tarnish the good image of the institution.
Prof Agunbiade took the audience into the history of matriculation, saying: “The ceremony of matriculation can be traced back to the beginnings of universities many centuries ago during what is commonly referred to as the Middle Age in Europe. During the ceremony, students swore an oath of allegiance and with the acceptance of the oath, the students’ admission into university was regarded to be completed.”
Mrs Abegunde said the university would not compromise excellence and adherence to best practices. She said: “McPherson University is not your conventional institution where everything goes. We don’t compromise on standard because our vision and values must continue to be held in high esteem.”
She said the institution had competent staff that would mentor the students to be ambassadors on their fields and to be excellent in research, character and learning.
The students promised to adhere to the school rule, pledging to observe all academic and administrative regulations, which may help to promote the good image of the university.
Prof Agunbiade said the occasion marked a turning point in the lives of the students, urging them to justify the opportunity by working hard to make their parents proud.
