Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos holds its matriculation ceremony for 2019/2020 academic session of its Degree programme in conjunction with the University of Benin.
By Charles Ogwo
Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos has held its 5th matriculation ceremony for students of its Degree programme being run in conjunction with the University of Benin.
In attendance were top officers of both institutions, including Professor Osamede Omorogiuwa, the Chairman, Affiliation Supervisory Committee and University of Benin Admission Board (UAB), who represented Professor Lillian Salami, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ademola Azeez, the Provost of the College, acknowledged the interest, support and logistics provided by University of Benin towards the success of the College’s degree programmes.
Azeez talked about the significance of the occasion which afforded the matriculating students the privilege of taking the Matriculating Oath, signing the Admission Register and formally becoming bonafide students of the institution.
“This is also a ceremony at which fresh students are fully integrated into the academic community. In summation, it is the climax of activities designed to introduce fresh students to the College systems and ensure that they derive the greatest benefits from the resources available in the College,” he said.
He then counseled the students on how best to accomplish the goal on which the two institutions were established, which is to provide qualitative science and vocational and technical education to students who in turn, will impact the knowledge to the larger societies.
He specifically stated that the students are required to cultivate the habit of attending lectures regularly and punctually; be of good conduct, observe laid down rules and regulations; eschew evils and shun all associations and groups that will put them on collision path with the College and University authorities.
“Keep away from drugs and other anti-social activities such as cultism, hooliganism and examination malpractices. Endeavour to interact with your fellow students, lecturers and other staff of the College”, he said.
Professor Salami, in her address read by Omorogiuwa, urged the students to see their admission as a rare opportunity, which they must be grateful for; and a privilege, which they must protect and guard jealously throughout their stay on campus, because not all their peers have been as lucky.
She pointed out to the new entrants that University of Benin has an acronym, UNIBEST; which means that the institution aims at the very best in all its dealings. She said there are numerous indicators to support this claim.
“For many the University has been adjudged one of the most sought-after universities in Nigeria. This is attested to by the statistics available from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) indicating that out of the applicants seeking admission into Nigeria universities, a sizeable number of them, choose the University of Benin”, she noted.
Buttressing her points further, the VC noted that graduates from University of Benin are very competitive in the labour market and that they excel in postgraduate studies in Nigeria and abroad.
“With the knowledge of the foregoing, it is, therefore, your choice as fresh men and women to remain in this great citadel of learning and be a part of making history,” she said.
Dr. (Mrs.) Janet Adeboye, the Director, Directorate of Degree Programmes, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, while thanking officials of the University of Benin for their continued support for FCE’s Degree programme, assured that the College will work tirelessly to improve the enrolment level of programmes which she considered low for the 2019/2020 session, considering the College’s capacity in terms of infrastructure and staff.
Adeboye stated that the Directorate is committed to re-engineering itself in many ways under the management of the College to meet up with the NUC requirements.
“We have diligently managed recourses to keep the programme at global best practices and make our students comfortable during their programmes”, she stressed.
A total of 319 students were offered admission on UTME and Direct Entry levels for the new academic session. 216 matriculated for various programmes in 100 level, while 50 students were admitted as Direct Entry students.
Business Education had the highest intake of 166 students, followed by Biology Education with 47, and Computer Education is third with 29 students.
Omotola Adewale, the President, Degree Students’ Association of FEC Technical, Akoka, while pointing out that every matriculated student is entitled to all rights and privileges recognized by the university authority, reminded the matriculating students that this also place on them the obligations to maintain law and order, pay their school fees and other levies, protect the university property, and other obligations.
Adewale, in his admonition, enjoined all matriculating students to avoid violent fighting on campus and shun all forms of social vices.
“Please learn to imitate great feats whilst decisively shunning and neglecting the evil deeds of some few unclean elements. The actions of saboteurs, cultists and criminals have never and will never be permitted to define our standards and stand as an association. This is the prestigious home of the leaders of today, carefully bred with class and capable of turning the future of the nation around”, he stated.
Dignitaries present included Dr. Abiodun Lamidi, the Deputy Provost FCE (T), Akoka, Mr. Rasheed Dada, the Registrar, FCE(T), Akoka, Mrs. Amaka Nwoji, the Bursar, FCE(T), Akoka, Mrs. Catherine Olaotan, the College Librarian, FCE(T), Akoka, and Mr. John Osagie, PAR and Records, University of Benin.
