By – Aduwo Ayodele
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has admonished newly admitted students into the University of Ibadan to consider themselves best and champions.
The Vice-Chancellor who gave this charge on Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, during the virtual
2023/2024 matriculation ceremony, explained that the fresh students constituted only 9.6% of those who chose the University of Ibadan.
“39008 candidates chose UI as their University of first choice, 14,971 scored 200 and above in the UTME, 7647 sat for the Post UTME, 5507 scored above 50%, 3974 were offered admission, while only 3749 accepted the admission into various courses of the University” the Vice Chancellor noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, who titled his address “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” urged the matriculants to see their admission as both an opportunities and challenge.
Professor Adebowale emphasized that the standards of the academic world have to be surpassed or maintained, as newly admitted students must be ready to share with the giants, similar values of hard-work, honesty and integrity, respect for others, kindness and respect for laws and constituted authorities, which are non-negotiable for excellence.
Professor Adebowale charged the students to be giants of tomorrow by abstaining from activities that can tarnish their image such as violence, examination malpractices, theft, gangsterism, among other nefarious practices, while imploring them to instead gird their loins for the task ahead, adding that the University Management would do its possible best to ensure a comfortable stay for the students on campus.
Presenting the Matriculation Lecture titled “Harnessing the Giant in You for Giant Strides” Dr. Victor T. Alabi, of the Centre for Language Studies, Brown University, U.S.A, described the University of Ibadan as a prestigious institution which had produced exceptional giants across the global space; business, politics, religion, academia, media, among other fields.
“UI Alumni had proven that creating a positive impact in the global space is a reality. As students, you must be ready to study hard, work hard and work smart” Dr. Alabi admonished.
The Guest Lecturer also advised the new intakes to network and connect with great minds, stay disciplined with the use of time, see and dream big things.
