Member of the United Nations Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture and President of Global Justice Research Centre (GJRC), Dr. Uju Agomoh has charged the 2022/2023 Matriculating Students of Chrisland University, to always shun violence and be good ambassadors of the great citadel.

This remark was made during the 8th matriculation ceremony of the fresh students into Chrisland University.

The event which held at the University auditorium, Abeokuta, on Thursday, 16th February, 2023, matriculated 483 fresh students into various programmes for the 2022/2023 academic session.

In her keynote address, Dr Agomoh urged the students on the need to: ‘’promoting peace, security and development: A collective responsibility.’’

She said the choice of topic was influenced by the present spate of insecurity across the globe which is a serious source of concern to all; hence, the need to motivate the new intakes to help promote peace; security consciousness; and contribute positively to development while in Chrisland University.

The UN Project Coordinator expert stressed the needs to always do away with violence and embrace peace at all times, and cautioned that it is always easy to destroy than to build.

She also emphasizes the needs for students to do away with pride and always do everything to make their environments safe at all times. She further counseled the students on the challenges ahead and how best to approach it with intellectual reasoning that will not lead to violence and insecurity of their studies.

She harped on the: “needs to always do away with violence and embrace peace at all times, as it is always easy to destroy than to build.”

She also emphasized the needs for students to do away with pride and always do everything to make their environments safe at all times. “That is why the topic is so apt at this period of early stage in the campus,” while lauding the developmental trend of the school, and commending the Vice-Chancellor and the management team for the drive for academic excellence.

Dr Agomoh urged the students to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the operations of the institution, stressing that such compliance would surely go a long way to mould them into what they have dreamt of becoming in life.

Dr Uju Agomoh is the founder of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA). A non governmental organization with a mission of promoting institutional reforms in formal and informal sector for access to justice, rehabilitation, and social development of prisoners, ex-prisoners, torture victims and youth at risks. She served as the Project Coordinator for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) supervising the Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria Project.

In a chat with CEOAFRICA, the guest speaker, Dr. Uju Agomoh stressed the needs to build the students not just in academics but also on promoting Peace and security in the country.

She opined there is a need to always encourage peaceful co-existence in every community. Hence, students should be encouraged to live moral life as a mean to have a peaceful society which is a collective responsibility.

Also addressing the matriculates, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Chinedum Peace Babalola congratulated the neophytes for scaling the hurdles of qualifying examinations and other prerequisite qualifications necessary for gaining admission into the University.

She said it is indeed a great honor to be admitted in the prestigious Chrisland University.

The renowned professor of pharmacy also extolled the parents and guardians of the students for providing the support and logistics to secure the admission.

She urged them to regularly monitor their wards and their academic performances. She advised the fresh students to meticulously go through the University handbook and follow all the rules and regulations therein.

“Do well to pick up your students handbook which you all have your digital copy and go through the rules and regulations. If you go through it and obey the guidelines, you will not have any problem’” she cautioned.

Prof. Babalola, who noted that the matriculation marked the beginning of a new journey, warned the students against cultism, examination malpractice and any other form of social vices that could bring the University into disrepute.

“I like to congratulate you, once again, for the opportunity to be among those admitted to fill the University’s current admission. For you to have made the list is indeed a rare privilege and should not be taken for granted.’’

Remarking on the coming general elections, the Vice Chancellor warned, “Very importantly too, now that we are in the electioneering period as a nation, under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be used for any purpose that would bring the name of the University into disrepute. Say no to political violence or thuggery.

You are more precious than that, because the great future of this country lies in your hands,” She advised.

The Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for the students to take serious their academic activities by attending lectures regularly and doing assignments.

She added that they must study very well and prepare adequately for their examinations and cautioned that anyone found guilty of the University law will be sanctioned without hesitation.

While praying God to give students wisdom, knowledge and understanding to make the best out of the academic pursuit in this great University, she assured the matriculants that Chrisland University had been adequately positioned to prepare its students to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century as prospective graduates.

In his speech, tagged “Message of Hope”, the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Distinguished Professor Ayodeji Olukoju congratulated the matriculating students and advised them to always endure, patient and attend lectures at all times.

He urged them to always submit to the University authorities and above all, the almighty God. Professor Ayodeji prayed for the matriculating students and assured them of total and full support atall times.

“I welcome you to Chrisland, I assure you of every support. We will pray for you; we will nurture you; we will encourage; and lecture you.” Professor Ayodeju assured.

The 8th matriculation ceremony had in attendance different personalities within and outside the University community. The representative of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), The Pro-Chancellor, Vice Chancellor of the institution, other Principal Officers of the University, including the registrar Mr. Samuel Omotoso, the Acting bursar Mr. Moses Esah and other academic dons, University staff, parents and students all graced the beautiful event.As part of the academic tradition of welcoming fresh students into Chrisland University today, the 2022/2023 academic session matriculation marked the eight-matriculation ceremony of Chrisland University.