Chrisland University, on Thursday, 11th March 2021, held first phase of its 6th matriculation ceremony.
The University, which started with seven (7) students in 2015, matriculated over 300 new intakes for the 2020/2021 academic session.
In her speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Chinedum Peace Babalola welcomed the new intakes and warned them against cultism, hooliganism and disrespect, adding that the learning institution frowned at such corrupt practices.
She also enjoined the students to abide by all rules and regulations of the institution and participate in all activities of the University.
“I welcome you all to this great institution. Chrisland University is an institution that has zero tolerance against cultism, hooliganism, disrespect and other corrupt practices.
“As fresh students, it is expected that you abide by all rules and regulations of this great institution and participate in all activities of the University.
“You must be fully committed to your studies and justify your selection of studying in this noble Institution. Make the good choice.
“By way of advice, I urge you to continually bear in mind the reason you came to Chrisland University which I believe is to acquire knowledge that will enable you achieve your God given potentials.
“This University has zero tolerance for cultism, any form of hooliganism and corruption. I need to further advise you to show respect to your colleagues and staff in the University to make your stay fruitful and productive.
“Be modest and decent in your dressing and approach to issues. I must also add that university is all about learning but also about character,” she informed new student.
While speaking with CEOAFRICA, on how the university, which started with seven (7) students in 2015, and within 6 years, its number of students has increased to over 300, the VC described it as an “explosion”.
Babalola explained that the 6th matriculation with the theme “Purpose Driven” was tagged “First Phase” because the institution is still admitting.
She added that the first phase was to officially to mark the entry of the of more than 300 students who have been admitted already into the institution.
On his part, the guest speaker of the matriculation ceremony, Dr. Gbenga Adeoye, the Managing Partner, Gbenga Adeoye & Co (Chartered Accountants), who spoke on the topic: “Character, Quality Education: Panacea for Success and Sustainable Wealth Creation,” charged the over 300 matriculants of the institution to start well in the new journey they have begun in order to end well.
Adeoye pointed out that “purpose, hardwork, preparation and determination are rules of success.”
He advised the new students to build a character that would warrant other people to recommend them for good jobs and better opportunities after graduation.
“There is need to build a character that would warrant other people to recommend you for good jobs and better opportunities after graduation.
“Somebody is going to take a decision to either marry you or run away from you when they watch your character.
“Your classmates are watching you. The University management is also watching you.
“Can anyone recommend you for a job after your study on account of your character?” he stated.
Adeoye enjoined them to value relationship, have good friends; relate with people that add value, and use information wisely for wealth creation.
While speaking with CEOAFRICA, the guest speaker lamented that education in Nigeria is not in good flow because the government has refused to take proper position and have not solve the incessant strike.
He revealed that incessant strike, lack of learning facilities, quality of lecturers, the welfare of students and teachers are factors hindering the good flow of academic session in educational system in Nigeria
He said “when we have incessant strike in our schools, there is no way we can have a good flow of academic session.
“Besides, if there are no learning facilities, good learning environment, quality lecturers and if the welfare of students and teachers are not catered for, quality of education will be affected.”
He further stressed that content of the study is another factor that determine quality education, therefore, policy makers in our educational sectors are urged to review the syllabus of schools from primary to secondary, and higher institutions, in order to have a needful and quality contents.
“There are too much subjects in our schools which is causing a lot of problems. There is no way, you go to school on Monday, you have three subjects, different classes, the same happens on Tuesday. When are you going to read all of these?
“So, we need to streamline and ensure that we don’t have too many things that are irrelevant.
“Policy makers in our educational sectors should review the syllabus of schools from primary to secondary, to higher institutions, so that students can be produced as professionals.
“If you get to primary school and they look at you that you are moving towards becoming an engineer, you begin to do things that are related, not just junks that have nothing to do with you,” Adeoye elaborated.
The Dean of College of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Chrisland University, Professor Temidayo Akinbobola, while lamenting on education in African , during an interview with CEOAFRICA, urged African leaders and educational policy makers to look away from imposing or institutionalizing Western policies on education in African learning system.
The Dean explained that there is a wide difference between the developed countries and the developing ones; for this reason, Africa leaders and policy makers should not import foreign policies into the continent.
“We must have a different path from the West. In the West, they see education differently.
“We must begin to create our own path for Education. We don’t just bring in imported policies into Africa. Africa has its features, its characteristics that are quite different from what we have in the West.
“They are developed; some of the policies in the developed nations might not really work here.
“The government needs to put in more efforts and resources into educational sector.
“The UNESCO says 26% and the government takes less than 5% in education, if the government increases the budget into educational sector, different things will come up, the whole idea will be put in place and it will shape the structure of education in Nigeria,” he disclosed.
Akinbobola added that African-made policies and educational system must be developed based on the continent’s own ideas, background and what the students should to learn.
Professor Babafemi Badejo, Chrisland University first Professor, noted that the government needs to pull all resources together in order to achieve maximum quality in education.
He said “there are lots to be in place. There was quality education in the country before. Past then, when I finished from the University of Lagos, I went to the US.
“Those who came from India were at that time asked to spend extra year in order to be in the graduate programme. But those that came from Nigeria at that time were recognised, but it is a way round today.
“India has gone far beyond, while Nigeria is regressing in many respites. This means a lot in pulling all resources together by the Federal Government, State government and various private entities that are investing into education of today.”
