The gods said NO! – Nne mmuowu ndi Igbo niile declares at UNIZIK 2023/2024 matriculation ceremony

By Innocent Goodness

In an unexpected turn of events, for the first time in the matriculation history of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Lolo Chika Ibeneme and other representatives of the gods shows up uninvited with a message for the matriculating students.

The Vice-Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone expressed great pleasure in welcoming every freshman to the institution while beckoning on them to pardon his absence which were for reasons that could not be helped.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Health Science faculty, Dr Maduabuchukwu Joseph Nwankwo, declared the ceremony open which kicked off with the National Anthem, the School Song and an Opening Prayer by Dr Tochukwu Florence Sibeudu, the sub-dean of the faculty.

Under the guidance of the Registrar, Barrister Philomena I Okoye, the 100level students took an oat of loyalty to the university and to stay away from cultism. The students also signed a matricular to regiment the promise they made to the university and stand as evidence against them should they ever break the oat.

The matriculant were admonished to face their studies squarely as it is not to late to fail. Professor Gladys I Ahaneku explained that extreme or reoccurring failure in courses will lead to the termination of the defaulting student’s admission or a repeat of the same level. She stressed on the need for students at 100level to have outstanding results and a good CGP. She also advised them to expel fear of failure as herself and her fellow professors were products of the same strict educational system.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Lolo Chika Ibeneme requested a moment to address the undergraduates. She claimed to be sent by the spirits with a warning that no student should engage in cult practices as it is not allowed by the gods. “arusi ndi Igbo biakoro onu kwuo si na nwa akwukwo obula agaghi aba otu nzuzo obula. Ha ekweghi na umuaka mahadum ga ba otu obula di iche iche. Umu ndi Igbo, rubere ndi nkuzi unu isi ma rube isi n’iwu o bula mahadum setipuru, she warned in Igbo dialect.

The end of the ceremony was marked with lots of refreshments provided by the parents and well wishers of the new undergraduates. It was a moment of fun and laughter as students engaged in different games set up around the event environment while others danced to their heart’s content. Pictures were taken to document this memorable phase of their lives.