By Uzer Moses
Centre for Undergraduate Studies, College of Education (COE) Katsina-Ala, Benue State, in affiliation with the University of Calabar, Cross River State has matriculated 480 students.
Declaring the the 6th matriculation open Saturday at COE, Katsina-Ala, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Mrs Florence Banku Obi, charged the matriculating students to be serious with their studies and be disciplined to enable them succeed:
“You should take your studies seriously as there are sacrifices to be made for academic battles to be won or lost. Success requires self-discipline, diligence, hard work, resilience and dedication. These are attributes for successful completion of your academic programme.
The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Prof. Mrs Cicilia Ekwueme, warned students against all forms of social vices that could hinder their academic progress:
“On the other hand, students should endeavour to desist from activities such as vandalism, violence, examination malpractices, cultism, terrorism, prostitution, drug abuse and other criminal activities that can hinder their academic progress,” she stated.
Earlier in his address, the Provost, COE, Katsina-Ala, Chief Tsav-wua J.A. Gbaoigyo appreciated the VC, UniCal and her entire management team for graciously granting the institution affiliation status to run her degree programmes and hoped that the present affiliation witnesses a full-fledged and autonomous University of Education, Katsina-Ala.
The provost commended the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, the state Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Funds (TETFund) for various forms of supports.
His words: “I equally appreciate the National Universities Commission for making our affiliation status possible. We are equally grateful to the National Commission for Colleges of Education Education, the Benue State Government under the stewardship of His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom and the Ministry of Education for continued supervision and support to ensure that our academic programmes and activities succeed against all odd.”
He listed ten departments and the courses offered thus far in the institution to include: Home Economics, Human Kinetics, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, Social Studies, Economics, Christian Religious Knowledge, English Language and Literary Studies.
Chief Gborigyo who urged the newly matriculated students to obey the college rules and regulations and shun cultism, exam misconduct, gangsterism, alcoholism, restiveness, rioting, violent demonstration and wilful destruction of public properties equally reminded them of the security challenges in Sankera axis and the government’s efforts to restore peace in the area.
“The Sankera axis and Katsina-ala Local Government Area is having security challenges such as killings, kidnappings and robbery, you are advised to be security conscious, avoid moving with bad friends and report any suspicious person around you to the agents,” he said.
He continued: “The Benue state government has restricted the movement of people from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m and banned the use of motorcycles and a Toyota Corolla car, popularly known as “Duck Nyansh” in the Sankera area; you are advised to comply with the directives to avoid been harassed by the security agents.”
The Mayor of Katsina-Ala Township, Chief Clive Iorav who spoke on behalf of the royal fathers called on the new students to be focused and remain obedient, honest, just and pure among other good virtues, since their academic success depended largely on good conduct.
