Speech Delivered During The 10th Matriculation Ceremony Of The 2016/2017 Academic Session By The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola On Wednesday, 8th February, 2017 Across Colleges

Protocols: 

Principal Officers
Provosts of Colleges
Deans of Faculties
Directors
Heads of Departments/Units
College Secretaries
Matriculating students 
Parents and Guardians
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press 
Ladies and Gentlemen

I welcome you all, most heartily; to this august occasion that marks the official entry of every student into higher institutions of learning. It is significant because it is a statutory gathering to formally admit deserving and qualified candidates who are fortunate to be offered admission into this institution. Why should the matriculating students of today count themselves fortunate?

For 2016/2017 academic session, a total number of six thousand, seven hundred and seventy-nine (6779) candidates applied to Osun State University to study various courses being offered in the Institution. Of this number, only two thousand, seven hundred and fifty (2750) candidates were offered admission having been found successful in the mandatory Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the oral screening conducted by the University to further ascertain and strengthen the quality of candidates being admitted to the University in particular. Our record shows a snapshot of the 2016/2017 Admission Exercise as follows: College of Agriculture-125, College of Education-322, College of Health Sciences-451, College of Science, Engineering and Technology-720, College of Management and Social Sciences-736, College of Humanities and Culture- 349 and College of Law- 47. Being among the lucky few calls for deep reflections.

Licensed on 21 December, 2006 as the 30th State University and the 80th overall in the country (for which we are also known as “3080”), this University commenced academic activities in September, 2007 and has maintained a steady academic calendar. A simple testimony to this is that while many Universities in Nigeria are still battling with the 2015/2016 academic session your University is already in the 2016/2017 academic session. We indeed desire this trend to continue.

The University as of now has about 44 academic programmes, out of which all the 39 that are mature for accreditation are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Our Postgraduate College also commenced admission of students in the 2015/2016 academic session.

It may interest you to know that you are the very first set of students that I am admitting into the membership of this unique community (i.e. UNIOSUN) in my capacity as the third substantive Vice-Chancellor of this University. I envision a state University that is first among equals, most preferred, making significant contributions to the society, an efficiently run, self-reliant, sustainable institution and a force to reckon with among Universities globally; a truly 21st century University by the end of my tenure. Gladly, you have come at the right time, and I challenge you to enlist in this noble vision.

The University has continued to focus on her pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and service to society as enshrined in our vision: “To be a centre of excellence providing high quality teaching and learning experiences which will engender the production of entrepreneurial graduates capable of impacting on their environment while globally competitive’’ and mission: to create a unique institution committed to pursuit of academic innovation, skill based training and a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and community service. Again, I welcome you on board to key into this vision and mission.

You need to continually remember that the distance between today’s ceremony and convocation ceremony is quite wide and it is important that the journey ends successfully. For this to happen, you need to be regular in attendance at lectures, carrying out all your assignments, shunning deviant behaviours and other vices that can expose you and others to danger. This University has zero tolerance for cultism, any form of hooliganism and corruption. I need to further advise you to show respect to your colleagues and staff in the University to make your stay fruitful and productive. Be modest and decent in your dressing and approach to issues. I am aware that in the just concluded orientation programme conducted across the campuses in the University, you must have been informed of the co-curricula activities available on our campuses. We will strive to improve on them as time goes by. Please, avail yourself of these opportunities, not only to excel in learning, but possibly to become our sport Ambassadors. Please strive to uphold the ideals of the University.

In spite of dwindling resources, the University has managed to stay afloat to deliver good services to our students. We must continue to be prudent with, and make judicious use of our meagre resources by blocking every possible leakage. Your role in prompt payment of fees and other charges would assist the University greatly in this regard.

The recent audit of the payment of fees reveals that the University is being owed over Two Billion Naira. This unwholesome trend must stop. The University has therefore, decided that no students will be allowed to write examinations without full payment of all prescribed fees. We need your cooperation in this regard to enable us deliver on our mandate of producing graduates that are globally competitive and can contribute meaningfully to global development. On our part, we assure you of probity, transparency and accountability in the use of your resources.

.Finally, I wish to assure you of maximum security on all our campuses. We however, plead that you do not hesitate to report any suspicious activities to the Dean of Student Affairs, Sub-Deans, Security Officers attached to you campuses, and your Course Advisers. Be reminded that the oath you have taken today is to be obedient to the Vice-Chancellor, all those in authority, and to be of good conduct throughout your stay in the University. Please be warned that a breach of the oath taken today will definitely attract appropriate sanctions. Again, I admonish you to steer clear of cultism, hooliganism and other forms of social menace.

I pray that the Almighty God will watch over all of you, prosper you and make you all a source of pride to your families, states, country and humanity. Today’s joy shall be permanent. Amen.

Once again I congratulate all the matriculating students and wish you a productive and fruitful stay in Osun State University.

God bless us all.

Labode Popoola
Vice-Chancellor.