Unizik Matriculation: Parents, Friends stranded for hours, as VC, Prof Esimone warns students

By Chukwunonso Erasmus, Ogonnaya Okike, Pleasant Sobechi Gerald and Ibegbu Daniel, Awka

Thousands of guests to the 2024 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Matriculation ceremony for it’s Freshers were stranded for several hours sequel to human and vehicular traffic.

The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway leading to the university gate and all adjoining roads within the university were on a standstill for several hours sequel to unprecedented crowd coming to celebrate with their loved ones.

So many guests could not reach their wards until the food they were coming with changed taste and at some points rotten due to excessive heat, thus throwing confusion for the visitors and the guests alike.

www.odogwublog.com reports that this is coming as the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe Uni­versity, Awka, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone,FAS has warned the fresh students to shun all forms of fraud, exam malpractice and cultism, if they want to achieve their ambition in the university.

Prof Esimone in his address to the 2023/2024 Matriculation ceremony of the university said among other things that for the students to succeed, they must pay fees prescribed by the university which according to him is very essential for the university to maintain existing facilities and provide new ones.

Prof Esimone said: “Any student who does not pay his/her fees by the appropri­ate time runs the risk of being excluded from examinations. Besides, students must have attended at least 75% of all lec­tures and practicals for them to be allowed to write examinations.They must shun examination misconduct which could fetch them suspension for up to three years and even expulsion”.

“Among other things, they must shun certificate forgery because registering with fake certificates can earn them ex­pulsion.
Cultism is anathema in the University as all proven cultists are expelled.These and other deviant be­haviours such as robbery, rape, and so on are not tolerated be­cause they are both misconduct and crime punishable by expul­sion from the University and terms of imprisonment by the State”.

Prof Esimone represented at the Faculty of Social Sciences by the Dean, Prof Frank-Collins Okafor and at the Faculty of Education by the Dean, Prof Vivian Nwandu reminded the students that the event marked the formal closure of admission of fresh undergraduate students into the University.
He noted that Nnamdi Aziki­we University is placed 501+ in global ranking and 5th in Nige­ria.
It runs 15 Faculties and the academic programmes of which most are variously accredited with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the rel­evant professional bodies.

He further informed that the university has linkages with many world-renowned Universities spread across the United State of America, China, Europe and Africa.

Additional reports from Udegbunam Ginika, Onuora Ngozi Blessing, Imole Chioma, Chikezie Miracle Mmesoma, Uche Thelma, Okafor Chinyere, Oforbuike Chinenye Judith, Nchekwube-Okechukwu Chidumaga, Udechukwu Precious, Nosike Chinenye Mavis, Mbogu Miriam, Samuel-Ocha Divine ,Silas Kossy, Obasi Onyedikachi, Nwatu Chinasa Jessica, Emeafu Amanda, Anyaegbu Chidera Chelsea. Onuora Ngozi Blessing, Nwume Chukwuebuka Daniel, Glory Mbah, Agbata Oluoma J, Okwunwanne Favour Ibeojo, Kelvin Alex, Anyalebechi Emmanuella, Eneh Marysandra Kosisochukwu, and Nneoma Blessing.

So many trekked distances to locate their loved ones as the traffic stood still for several hours due to wrong parking and booking if access roads by human traffic.

Many of the matriculants went to school on empty stomachs hoping to eat and wine with their families before noon but the traffic made it impossible ans some ate by 3 pm while many couldn’t locate their loved ones on time.

According to www.odogwublog.com, Mmadabuchi Dennis and Gilbert Okafor went to school on empty stomachs and were Sen scouting for where to eat ,even with their matriculation gowns.
For Gloria Chibuike, and Jeremiah Benson , the induction was a happy moment for them and family as they choose UNIZIK to tap from it’s motto of hardwork, excellence and self reliance.

According to www.odogwublog.com reporter, Associate Prof NC Abamara anchored the Social Sciences faculty event along side the Sub Dean of the faculty, Dr KK Osayi while Heads of Departments witnessed the event including HoD of Mass Communication, Dr Chioma Agbasimelo among others.

Though, the 25th matriculation ceremony was a joyous moment, some Freshers were unable to participate simply because their anticipated guests and parents notified them , they wouldn’t make it to Awka.
A student of Human Relations, Faculty of Arts , Oluebube Okoye described matriculation as the day her journey to womanhood starts; while Miss Chinenye Okafor said it was a journey self discovery for her, adding that it is about challenges, triumphs, achievements and friends as well as memories to create during one’s academic journey.

Highlight was taking of oath to keep to university’s guidelines and path against cultism. HoD’s danced with the students alongside some staff of each of the Departments.