The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, (FCAH&PT), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, has organized a first of its kind three-day orientation programme for the newly admitted students of the college, urging them to aim for excellence in academics and morality.
The event, which held from Tuesday, October 18 to Thursday, October 20, 2022, saw different activities, ranging from admonition from the provost of the college and other principal officers, together with other members of staff, to wise counsels from other invited guests, speakers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Provost, Dr Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, who ensured he created time out of his schedules to speak with the newbies in those three days of the event, stressed the need for them to face their studies squarely, while emphasising that the college is committed to helping them make their dreams realized.
“I want to congratulate you for scaling through the hurdles of admission and I want to assure you that by the time you are graduating, you will be thanking God. 
"This place is a spin board for all the great things destined for you. Even if it is only OND of this college that you can afford, it will open doors for you.
“This is the first time some of you will be in a state of independence, please use it wisely. The principal reason why you are here is your academics. Attendance to class is compulsory. Do not ignore practical classes. Don’t be lured into dangerous societies. 
"No one will intimidate you or extort money from you. If such happens, please report, through the appropriate channels,” he said.
He further thanked all the resource persons and the entire staff of the college for their sacrifices in ensuring that the event was a reality, while urging the students to be true ambassadors of the college, shunning peer pressure.
Speaking on the topic, “Understanding of Drug Use and its Impact on Student’s Life”, which centred on “Consequences of Drug Abuse and Seeking Way out of it as it Affects Students and the Society at Large”, the Oyo State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Comrade Abdullahi Saeed, urged the new students to avoid seeing the use of drug as a sign of maturity.
The NDLEA boss, who was represented by Mrs Okuwobi Mutiat Adetola, the Public Relations Officer, further lamented that drug abuse has colossal and spiral negative effects, as it affects the abuser and extend to other innocent members of the society, who will eventually fall victim of the abuser’s misbehaviours.
She further explained that the use of drugs of abuse makes one irresponsible and such a fellow ends up terminating one’s aspirations and dreams, warning them to desist from joining those who do same, as it jeopardises their health, as well; she added that possession of drugs could earn one nothing less than 15 years’ jail term.
The speaker from the Department of State Service (DSS), who spoke on “Menace of Cultism in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: The Way out”, took everyone on a memory tour of the history of cultism in the Nigeria and how it has affected tertiary institutions in the country.
According to him, cultism started in 1952, with the formation of the Pirates by Prof. Wole Soyinka and others, with the sole aim of fighting tribalism as well as ensuring that education be made accessible to the lower class.
Lamenting the shift in focus of subsequent successors in the 70s, leading to eventual proliferation of the already corrupt structure in the 90s, he explained that cultism has become an unwanted trend in the country, stating that the solution for the ugly situation lies in parenting, security consciousness and thorough check on one’s association.
In the same vein, the Deputy Provost (Academics), Dr Isaac Olusegun Ayodeji, explained that this is the college’s first time of holding her orientation programme in such manner, stressing that all the students who participated in the event would bear witness to how it has been.
The Deputy Provost (Administration) of the college, Dr (Mrs) Funmilayo Ogunleke Oladunni, in an interview with CEOAFRICA, explained that the idea behind organizing the event in such a manner was born out of the vision of the college to keep evolving and further foster unity among the students and staff, irrespective of their departments.
Both deputy provosts reiterated that the college is one of the government’s effort to combat unemployment in the country, emphasizing that if students duly participate in all the practicals of the college, they must be employers of labour and not job seekers.
The Chairperson of the programme’s organising committee who doubles as the, the Dean, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Dr (Mrs) Omolara Jemimah Ojezele, in expressing her deep gratitude to the Provost for the confidence reposed in the committee while thanking everyone for making the event a success, called on the students to avoid associating with those who do not have regard for education, by saying that “school na scam”.
Speaking in exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, she explained that the orientation programme is crucial, as it helps the school to know about the students, while bringing the school closer to the “freshers”.
The Secretary General, Commonwealth Scholars Alumni Association of Nigeria, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, who spoke on “Academic and Moral Excellence amidst Current Societal Ills”, charged them to aim for excellence in both character and academics, as that is the only way they can become good leaders, tomorrow; he outlined few principles that could guide them, which are anchored on decision, determination, focus, discipline and diligence.
In his own admonition, a public speaker and educational consultant, Mr Oluwaseun Michael Adeniyan, who spoke on “Emotional Intelligence: A Vital Recipe for Academic Excellence”, urged the new learners in the college, to understand themselves and avoid doing things because others are doing so, stating that people fail examination because of the fear of examination.
A health consultant, Dr Tinuade Adesola Ajani, who spoke on “Rape and Sexual Assault”, explained different kinds of rape, as well as actions that constitute sexual assault, and advised the students on the right action to take immediately, if such happens, stating that there are emergency therapies for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, immediately after a rape incident.
The Director of Academic Planning, High Chief Dr (Mrs) Folasade Olubunmi Ajasin, spoke to the students on how their welfare is taken rather seriously by the college, asking them to freely express themselves as well as telling them that Guidance and Counselling Team, headed by Mrs Ogedengbe is always available, while warning them on the dangers of examination malpractice.
The Dean, Directorate of Student Affairs, Dr Yinka Adekunle, urged the students to be their “brothers’ keepers”, while ensuring that they do not join any organization that is not duly registered in the college; he further charged them to be custodians of the college’s facilities. 
The Medical Director, Dr (Mrs) Olabunmipo appealed to the students to always eat, as the lectures and other academic activities can weigh them down, she further directed them to ensure they get registered at the college’s clinic, because it helps to keep record of their health and diagnostic history.
The National Youth Service Corps’ Desk Officer, Mrs Mary Salawu, urged the students to ensure that their names are always spelt correctly and arranged in the order they are arranged in their certificates and other credentials.
Adding to that, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Desk Officer of the college, Mrs Abiola Osulaja, explained to the students the need to print their admission letters and offered to assist them, where they face challenges in that regard.
The Head Department of Physics and electronics, who doubles as the college’s Director of Sports, Mr S. M. A. Shittu, rolled out the sporting activities of the school while urging them to join the training in preparation for the upcoming Nigerian Colleges of Agriculture and other Related Discipline Games (NICARDGA), tagged ‘Ibadan 2022’; the agriculture-related colleges in Ibadan will be hosting others across the country.
Recall that we had earlier reported that the games, which will take place from 13th to 27th November, 2022, will be held at Federal Cooperate College, Federal College of Agriculture and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, all in Ibadan, with about 30 colleges of agriculture participating in the sporting activities.
Others whose voices were heard include the Registrar, Ven. Babatope David, the Librarian, Mrs Ariresere, the Students’ Union Government’s President, Olunloye Olaloluwa and the participants.
The students, Oduesan Omosewa and Amao Peace, who also spoke with CEOAFRICA  explained that they learned a lot, not only for their academics, but also for life in general. Kehinde Akinjobi added that no one who had attended the event, with such information, is permitted to fail.
Other people who were at the event include the college’s Director of Livestock Services, Pastor Rotimi Ajayi, Deans College of Fisheries and Agricultural Management, Dr Aregbe and College of Animal Health and Husbandry, Dr Jalade A.A. Shamsi.
Heads of Departments of Agricultural Extension and Management, Dr Abotale, Pasture and Range Management, Dr Michael Odetola, Science Laboratory Technology, Dr Funmilayo Omasola, Animal Health, Dr Tope Adebola Adeoye, Mathematics and Statistics, Dr Akande, HND Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr Kikelomo Odusola, HND Biology and Microbiology, Mrs Olufunmilayo Salami, HND Environmental Biology, Mrs Ayoola, Computer Science, Dr Abdulgafar, General Studies, Mrs Jumoke Adegbile, Fisheries Technology, Dr Banjo and others were in attendance.
Others include Director of Laboratories Mr Razak A. Salako, Dr Fasaye, Dr Kemi Fagbohun, Dr Salawu, Mrs Sonibare, Mr Ajosa Amusan, Dr Odesola, and other principal officers, as well as other academic and nonacademic staff of the college.
There was also a lecture on “Life on Campus: How to Navigate”, by Dr Yinka Adedeji and Dr Moshood Popoola; the students were also taught how to calculate (Cumulative) Grade Point Average (C/GPA).