FUNAI VC TASKS EBONYI YOUTHS ON ACADEMI C EXCELLENCE

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba has charged Ebonyi youths especially those in tertiary institutions to pursue academic excellence in other to achieve sustainable success in future.

The Vice Chancellor stated this recently during a one-day seminar on Academic Excellence and Examinations Ethics organized by Elliott and Grays Foundation in collaboration with the Office of the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the National Assembly at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki for undergraduates.

Presenting the keynote speech with the theme: “Prepared for Academic Exploits and Social Advancement”, the Vice Chancellor who was represented in the occasion by the Director of General Studies, Prof. Christiana Ugodulunwa noted that academic excellence is vital for success in the present knowledge-driven world.

Rep. of VC, Prof. Christiana Ugodulunwa speaking at the event

He maintained that “academic excellence is an attitude not a skill”, stressing the importance of goal setting, hard work, obedience to University rules and regulations, and attendance to lectures and carrying out course assignments to academic excellence.

He further stated that those students that are usually culpable of examination malpractices were those that do not prepare ahead of time but rather depended on luck and chance, ‘sorting’ and other unwholesome behaviours to succeed, adding that there were no shot-cuts to academic excellence or success of any type in life.

Welcoming the invited guests and the students of tertiary institutions from Ebonyi North senatorial district to the seminar, the Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner of Education, Ebonyi State, Prof. John Ubochi Eke, said the seminar was apt especially now that the Nigerian youths were facing identity crisis.

Ebonyi State Commissioner of Education, Prof. John Eke warning the participants to shun cultism at the event

He further noted that closeness to God and abhorrence for cultism and cult-related activities and other social vices were factors that engender academic excellence, and appreciated Senator Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu for his thoughtfulness and sincere concern for the development of Ebonyi youth by putting the seminar together.

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, told the youths to count themselves lucky that out of millions of people that seek admissions into tertiary institutions each year, they were among the privileged few that have secured admission into different institutions in Nigeria.

He added:  “University education is not as easy as sagging.

‘You must have a goal or a dream and you should also muster enough strength to achieve it

“Education is the key to any success”, and went ahead to highlight some other success nuggets.

Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, HE Dr. Kelechi Igwe addressing the participants at the seminar

 The Ebonyi State Deputy Governor further motivated them to “desire the life that is above the ordinary, get it right now, to be able to soar like eagles in their various endeavours.” He also admonished them to shun cultism, excuses and procrastination if they want to succeed in life.

“The best way to succeed in life is to do it now”, he concluded.

Speaking on the topic “Examination Ethics, Importance of Mentoring and Scholarship Opportunities for under graduates”, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, FUNAI, Prof. GMT Emezue, urged the participants to pursue education rather than certification, as many Nigerian youths were presently doing.

She reiterated that it was the quality of their skills and knowledge that would drive their success in life, not certificates, encouraging them to identify and have a good mentor in other to be well groomed for future success.

Prof. GMT Emezue delivering his lecture at the seminar

The Professor of English further encouraged the participants to read hard and widely, deal with their old emotional and psychological hurts in other to enhance their self-confidence which is vital for success. She further stressed the importance of surfing the internet for available national and international scholarship programmes in their respective disciplines to improve their academic standing.

Paper was also presented on “Academic Excellence: The Making of a True Intellectual” by the Deputy University Orator, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Chike Okoye, who advised students to shun truancy, academic laziness and the so called campus attractions in other to succeed academically, adding that daily exercises were also important in keeping the body healthy, which is crucial for success.

Earlier, the sponsor of the seminar and the first civilian governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam O Egwu noted that his decision to promote the capacity building of Ebonyi undergraduates was necessitated by his desire to see them grow and develop into instruments for nation building.

Senator Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, addressing the participants at the event

He recalled with nostalgia how he went through thick and thin in other to have University education, calling on the youths to take their studies seriously as their success in life depends to a large extent on their intellectual capacity and learned skills.

The seminar brought together all 100- level undergraduates of Ebonyi Norh Senatorial district in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The FUNAI drama troupe was also on hand to spice the occasion.

Senator Dr. Sam Egwu in group pix with the resource persons at the event