The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has charged new students of the institution not to take God out of the equations of their lives.
He gave the charge at a reception held for the new students by the Chapel of the Ressurection after the Orientation Service for new students held at the Chapel.
Professor Adebowale counselled the students to see their admission as a privilege, choose their friends carefully, and follow the rules and regulations of the university, adding that the fear of the Students Disciplinary Committee is the beginning of wisdom.
He advised the students to see their academic pursuits as their priority assignment while all other pursuits should be considered as additional benefits.
The Vice-Chancellor told the students to allow the university to pass through them by joining beneficial groups.
He enjoined the students to take advantage of the PEER Assisted study group that has been instituted to assist the new students in passing identified difficult courses.
He then wished them all the best and a fulfilling stay on the UI campus.
The Registrar, Mr Ganiyu O. Saliu had earlier told the students that they were fortunate to have been offered admissions into the University of Ibadan.
He disclosed that over 20,000 candidates sat for the University’s Post UTME, 4200 were offered admissions, and only 3983 accepted the offers of admissions.
He advised the new students to work hard in order to be found worthy in character and learning at the end of their various programmes.
He enjoined them to attend the compulsory orientation programme that would hold later in the week and to always seek guidance from appropriate channels.
The Chairman of the Chapel Committee, Professor E. O. Ogunkola told the students that their attitudes would determine their altitudes and urged them to see their freedom from home as the freedom to do things right.
He charged the new students to take control of their future and do the right things.
In his sermon, the Chaplain of the Chapel of the Ressurection, The Venerable Dr. V. I. Oladele appealed to the new students to beware of pastors who preach “Hypergrace,” who claim that grace covers all sins.
The theme of the Chaplain’s sermon was “Christian Service,” and he charged Christians to render service to God in a Godly and Holy manner.
He stated that God does not accept all manners of service, adding that a service not rendered according to the will of God is not acceptable to God.
He urged the new students to buckle up and do well in their studies, not to overstep their bounds, and obey the rules and regulations of the University so that they would make their parents, the Chapel and the University very proud.
Dr. Oladele who stated that UI was the best thing to have happened to him noted that it was good for the students to have passed JAMB, better for them to have been admitted into a University and best to have secured admission into UI.
He maintained that it was a rare privilege that should be guarded jealously.
The Chaplain who had obtained his three degrees from UI advised the students to dress, eat, and think responsibly and not to join bad groups.
He urged members of the University community to be
‘in loco parentis’ to the students by returning to communal living of being their brother’s keeper.
The first scripture Psalm 139: 1 – 12 was read by a fresh student; the second scripture Leviticus 11: 42-47 was read by the Registrar while the Vice-Chancellor read the third scripture, 1 Peter 1: 13 -19.
The orientation service expectedly was well attended by fresh students, the Students Union Executive Committee members, the Dean of Students, Professor Adekeye Abiona; the Deputy Dean of Students, Dr. Comfort Aiki-Raji and other officials of the University.
The Provost of the College of Medicine was represented by Professor Oyeronke Odunola, the Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
The 2022/23 Session Orientation Programme continues with
Orientation Interaction and lectures on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31, while a Jumat service holds on Friday, September 1, at the Central Mosque, University of Ibadan.
