…Matriculates 9035
By: Felix Ikpotor
Management of the Rivers State University, RSU, has sounded it loud and clear that it does not tolerate cultism and other anti-social activities by students on campus.
The university said the penalty for involvement in such vices is outright rustication.
Vice Chancellor of the school, Professor Nlerum Sunday Okogbule gave the warning at the 42nd Matriculation of the school.
He urge the students not to waste their time on activities that won’t improve their academic grades, advising further that students should only join legally recognized organisations within the school campus.
“As you have been told during the orientation exercise, the key to success in an institution such as this is hardwork and unwavering focus on your academic assignments. You are therefore expected to take your studies seriously and not waste your time on unproductive ventures or activities. Know that you have started, there should be no break, remain focused and you will be able to achieve your goal.
“Let me also inform you that the university has zero tolerance to all forms of anti-social activities such as membership of secret cults groups, examination malpractices or sorting, we don’t countenance that at all and that’s why we have committees dealing with matters of this nature. The moment they get you, you’re out of the system,” Okogbule stated.
He added: “Penalty for involvement in any of these activities is rustication from the university and I do not waste time in doing this. Once a student is found culpable, by the time we suspend you or expel you from the university you then realized that you have done yourself great harm by getting involved in anti-social activities.
“The students’ directorate has a list of acceptable clubs that you can belong to in this university to assist you engage in extra-curricular activities on campus. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated or harassed by any person or group of persons under any guise whatsoever. Anybody that threatens you just secretly call the Chief Security Officer or any of us and then we take action against such a person.
“You’re also to desist from indecent dressing and acquaint yourself with the code of conduct of this university as properly spelt out in the student’s handbook”.
The VC advised further that to excel in their academics, the matriculating students should cultivate the habit of attending lectures, making use of the departmental, faculty or central library for your studies and to practice proper time management.
While congratulating the students and parents for their admission into the university, the VC used the occasion to announce a two weeks grace period for persons yet to complete the admission requirements such as payment of fees beginning from the date of matriculation.
He thanked the State Governor and Visitor to the university, Sir, Siminalayi Fubara for the trust and confidence he has reposed on the management and council of the university which he said has led to the positive transformation.
” As you are aware, recently, His Excellency approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council of our university, the enormous infrastructural development embarked upon by the administration of our university has no doubt given our university a new look both nationally and internationally. Today, we have four campuses of our universities up and running in the second year now and we pray to continue to sustain it,” Okogbule said.
The RSU VC used the avenue to assure students in satellite campuses that efforts are underway to address some of the challenges they are experiencing.
“Let me also say that as part of the teething problems of new enterprises or endeavours, there maybe some challenges and we are aware of those challenges those of you that are in satellite campuses are going through and efforts are underway to ensure that those challenges are properly addressed.
“Some of them have already been addressed. We have started with the solar powered lighting for the campuses. That of Etche, they have commenced work, as soon as they complete they will proceed to other satellite campuses of the university to ensure that there is regular power supplies to illuminate the environment and minimize incidences of people not being able to access their properties and all that. So the campuses are very dear to us and we’ll do everything within our power and our resources to ensure that the campuses function well. We have been assured of the support of the council and also of the state government to ensure the sustenance of the campuses so you have nothing to worry about,” he stated.
Port Harcourt Spectator reports that a total number of 9035 candidates were admitted.
