From Wole Balogun, Ado Ekiti
Management of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), has warned the 1,980 matriculating students of the institution that those with tendencies for drug abuse, cultism and rape, will have no room to operate.
ABUAD’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, said this during the ninth matriculation ceremony of the institution, which held in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday.
Ajisafe, who noted that the institution has zero tolerance for all forms of rascality, disclosed the university has got accreditation for all its courses and that there won’t be any reason for students to be afraid of the future.
He advised them not to abuse the academic independence they enjoy on campus, and added that any decision they take at this moment would either truncate or enhance their future. The vice chancellor disclosed that ABUAD was ranked in 2017 as second best private university in Nigeria and 13 on the Webometric ranking among the 268 universities in the country, describing the feat as novel in the history of education in the country.
“Hard work, like our founder, Chief Afe Babalola, would say, doesn’t kill,” he said.
But let me say this, there will be avalanche of influences and pressures in the university from which you are not insulated. You must be resolute, stand firm and toe the path of rectitude.
“You must be able to say no when you need to say no. You must appreciate the fact that there is a thin line between sublime and ridiculous. You must make the right choices always and know that in ABUAD, we have zero tolerance for rascality and any form of anti-social behaviour.
“Remember that the universities have code of conduct, with appropriate and commensurate sanctions for infractions for those who breach them.
“I must not forget to tell you that good money awaits you if you do well in your academics. The university gives scholarships to bright students and those who are indigent but bright.
“Founder had graciously put in place a programme whereby those with good CGPA go home with between N100,000 and N500,000 of his own personal money every year,” he said.
He urged the students to cultivate good personalities, learn the value of time management, remain focused and visionary and have positive attitudes to life and situations for their future not to be shattered.