From left is Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, VC,KOMU, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, Imo State Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the VC’s wife. Pix by Everest Ezihe, Ideato.
…Uzodimma thumbs up management
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Impressed with the level of academic excellence, infrastructural transformations and growth in students population ongoing in Imo State government (IMSU) owned Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, (KOMU) Ideato, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu says the State government has advanced plans to uplift the University in tandem with global expectations.
Nwachukwu who’s the State’s Commissioner for Tertiary Education disclosed this while ably representing Governor Hope Uzodimma during the University’s well attended 7th Matriculation Ceremony held at the University Pavilion.
He expressed gratitude to the students, staff and management of the university for being compliance to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s mission and vision about the institution .
While commending the Vice Chancellor for being articulate, he revealed that Governor Uzodimma is also very much passionate of every activities of the University and have demonstrated genuine fatherly love to the institution.
The Commissioner described matriculation as one of the greatest academic activities in the life of a student noting the 7th matriculation ceremony as being significant because the number 7, is biblical number that shows completeness, justifying that the university is now matured having celebrated her 7th matriculation ceremony.
He also commended the Vice Chancellor for his comprehensive address especially as it concerns the university expectations from the students.
Nwachukwu enjoined the students to embrace the University activities as strategic means of achieving their future life endeavours.
He further congratulated the matriculants for passing through the rigorous processes associated with gaining admission in such a prestigious university but reminded them that the journey has just began and should embrace the wisdom of God at all times with hard work as the route to success.
While commending the administrators of the University for their resilience and patriotism, he reassured them of the State government concerns in improving the lots of the University.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, applauded Imo State government under Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON for being educationally friendly and for always giving priority attentions to things concerning the University.
Dozie prayed for God’s abundant blessings to the Governor and members of his team while describing Prof. Victor Nwachukwu as God’s divine instrument for the Eastern Heartland State.
He pointed out that, matriculation ceremony is characterized by the formal admission of freshmen and women into an institution after they have taken the Matriculation oath of good conduct and good behavior.
“Today, we will admit an estimated 900 students into our prestigious institution for the task of grooming them to become future leaders in their chosen areas of endeavour.
“The significance of administering the matriculation oath is that the student has agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution.
“Therefore, I enjoin our new students to internalize, remember, abide and live by the words of the Matriculation oath you have sworn. As you struggle each day to receive your education at KOMU, let the Matriculation oath be a guiding compass” he advised.
The Vice Chancellor informed that the University is a public institution created by the Imo State of Nigeria Law No. 1 of 2021 to replace the former Eastern Palm University which was established in 2016 and recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the 42nd State University and the 143rd in the Nigeria Universities record.
He stated that the University currently offers 33 academic programmes for various undergraduate degree programmes, and distributed across Seven (7) Faculties namely, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences [4 programmes], Faculty of Arts [4 programmes], Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences [1 programme], Faculty of Environmental Sciences [2 programmes], Faculty of Science [11 programmes], Faculty of Social and Management Sciences [10 programmes] and Faculty of Law [1 programme].
Dozie equally gave impressive statistical information on what students stands to gain by choosing the University for their studies,these includes; stable academic calendar, timely graduation of students, quality teaching/learning mentorship, programmes accreditation, introduction of new programmes and good students’ experience on graduation.
Other motivational incentives he said, are; affordable fees, impressive facilities, ultra modern university library, ICT facilities, University Website, smart, secured and beautiful campus environment, Employability and Job Creation Skill (EJCS), certification programme i.e double certification programme, experienced management team, friendly and accommodating host communities.
The Vice Chancellor also took time to explain to the matriculants and the students the dos and don’ts of the institution, “the university is a place for teaching and learning, aimed at grooming the young ones for self-reliance/self-actualization and for the task of state and nation building i.e. grooming future leaders in all life endeavors.
“The university is a place that strives to uphold the finest traditions of academic excellence and scholarship and for fine-tuning the moral values of members of the community. You must be found worthy in character and in learning to earn our prestigious degree.
“The university is a place where anti-social behaviours and conducts are not tolerated. Such anti-social behaviours and conducts include, but are not limited to, the following: fighting, bullying, assault, cultism, examination misconduct, use of drugs and alcohol, smoking, rape, stealing, sexual harassment/solicitation, forgery, indecent dressing and disrespect for staff and visitors.
“You must avoid all forms of anti-social behaviours and misconducts as the University Senate will punish anyone found culpable.
“Endeavour to study the Student Handbook i.e. the KOMU Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Students and always use it as your companion.
“You must never succumb to unhealthy peer pressures. For the avoidance of doubt, the University Senate gave different sanctions (ranging from warning, rustication and indefinite suspension) to some students in the past academic sessions” he stated.
The Vice Chancellor further expressed gratitude to parents and guardians for the confidence of entrusting their wards to their care.
“We assure you that your wards are in safe, good and competent hands. Above all, we are committed to give them the very best of not just quality training, but comprehensive education that will make them the “whole man” as provided in our institutional philosophy”.
Dozie while reiterating the University’s gratitude to the Visitor and the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON especially for his love, care and unflinching support to the university, he
admonished the matriculants with words of Franklin Benjamin, the Founding Father of the United States of America, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each day find you a better man”, thus stating the university Motto as: One Team. One Mission. Selfless Service to Humanity
