By Oluwaseun Kehinde Oso
The Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) on Sunday, 21st January 2024, held its 15th Matriculation Ceremony at the Alfa Bengore hall in the university.
The event, which kicked off at 10 am, saw the presentation of over 2000 freshmen for matriculation by provosts of their respective colleges.
The Vice Chancellor of the 14 year old University, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, in her Address congratulated the matriculating students, describing the day as their “lucky day.”
The Professor of Law further asserted that the university does not produce “regular graduates.”
In her words, “At ABUAD, we do not produce regular graduates. In a Country where mediocrity, failure, corruption, poverty and excuse for backwardness is fast becoming the norm, it is a disservice for any higher educational institution as endowed as we are to produce the ‘regular’ kind of graduates,” she said.
The Former Unicef’s Legal researcher also remarked that the Institution “unapologetically” believes that every one of their students is a genius.
“We Unapologetically believe that every one of our students is a genius. Every one of you. And that with the right nurturing, the enabling environment, the passionate, expert faculty and staff with your cooperation, discipline, focus and determination, you all could become geniuses before you graduate from ABUAD in few years from now, ” the VC asserted.
The matriculation oath, administered by the University Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode, echoed through the halls, as the reverberating chorus of students swearing the oath filled the air.
Jacob chima favour, who gave the matriculation speech on behalf of the students urged the matriculating students to seize the opportunity they have been given to explore and grow not only academically but in other aspects of their lives as much as the ABUAD community provides.
The registrar, while giving the vote of thanks, appreciated the parents, staff and students. She admonished them to maintain service, character and integrity as the watchword through out their academic years.