By Faith Igbudu
Vice Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, Prof. Tor Iorapuu has charged newly matriculated students of the institution to imbibe good behaviour as the school will not shield them if they are found wanting.
He stated this Friday, during the matriculation of 5,574 newly admitted students for 2020/2021 academic session of the university in Makurdi.
He urged students to always tow the path of peace and be tolerant of each other as they pursue their various programmes. He said much time has been wasted on the issue of strike advised students to channel their energy into fulfilling the reason they enrolled into the university.
The VC further charged students to make the best use of existing array of curricular and extra-curricular activities to boost their assignments and research, as well as utilize every facility the university has to offer.
“Let me caution you that the university will not insulate you from public scrutiny; be careful and be law abiding. In addition to academic work, I equally implore you all to imbibe the culture of patience, quietude, and dialogue in the conduct of all your activities both within and outside the campus.
“Part of our mandate is that you all graduate as responsible citizens. Therefore, as you join the membership of your Student Union, we expect that you will do so with a purpose and following prescribed official rules and channels of communication, avoiding unwarranted and ill-motivated protests, shunning all forms of violence, and securing the University property, especially hostels and lecture halls from vandalization. Only students that are duly registered at all levels will be allowed to vote and be voted for. Please, ensure that you get a copy of the student’s handbook and read it as your bible on campus.
“Note that all the facilities are open to you upon matriculation from today,” he stated.
Iorapuu assured parents of students that the school is progressing rapidly. “In the next couple of weeks, we are expecting the NUC Resource Verification team for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It is hope of the Council, Senate, and Management, that we should admit students for this programme in the 2023 JAMB Exercise. Soon after, we shall proceed with Architecture, Engineering, Digital Agriculture, Special Education among others,” he said.
He appreciated the government of Benue State, led by Governor Samuel Ortom for always considering the welfare of students and staff of the institution by placing them on first line charge.
“BSU is expanding with the help of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State. Samuel I. Ortom. His singular decision to bequeath the JS Tarkaa Foundation to BSU is extraordinary. This facility will serve as a major centre for the proposed ‘Middlebelt and Minority Rights Studies.’ Similarly, His Excellency has agreed in principle to bequeath the site of the defunct Agricultural Development Company (ADC) to BSU to enhance the CEFTER BSU-World Bank Supported Programme,” he said.
He equally appreciated the meaningful interventions from notable sons, daughters and organization towards the improvement and development of education at the institution.
The Voice gathered that a total number of 5,574 students (2,860 females and 2,714 males) respectively were matriculated.