- January 21, 2025
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: Education, Tertiary Education, Uncategorized, University
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025, hosted the 16th Matriculation Ceremony, welcoming 2,955 students into its academic community.
The colourful event, held at the university’s Alfa Belgore Hall, marks the beginning of a transformative journey for fresh students who have opted for Nigeria’s top-ranking higher education institution.
Delivering the matriculation address, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde FCArb, FCAI, commended students for choosing ABUAD, an institution renowned for excellence. She highlighted ABUAD’s impressive global rankings, including its No. 1 position in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7: Clean and Affordable Energy, Outreach, and Stewardship.
“ABUAD is No. 1 in the World in Outreach with a score of 98%, No. 1 in the World in Stewardship with a score of 98.2%, No. 4 in Africa, No. 1 among all the 264 Federal, State, and Private universities in Nigeria for three consecutive years: 2022, 2023 and 2024”.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the matriculants, including; 2,507 regular students, 34 enrolled in the Open and Distance Learning programme, and 414 part-time students, to uphold ABUAD’s core values of labour, service, and integrity, exemplified by the exceptional life of the University’s Founder and Chancellor- Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola.
“Set clear goals, master time management, avoid negative influences, and build a balanced personal brand,” Prof. Olarinde advised.
Speaking on behalf of the matriculants, Ms. Orits-Ebiaghian Ebiere Pearl, of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, appreciated the Founder for being a motivation; the formidable management staff, lecturers and colleagues.
After administering the matriculation oath to the prospective students, the Registrar, Lady Christie Oloborode in her vote of thanks admonished the students to be responsive and responsible throughout their programmes stating:
“You may not be aware of it, you may not be conscious of it, but your values shape your decisions and your decisions shape your life”.
“Today, your tassels are on the right-hand side of your caps. In another 4, 5, 6 or 7 years, as the case may be, you will be asked to turn your tassels to your left-hand side. Then, you will be bonafide Graduates of ABUAD who can stand the test of time anywhere in the world.” Lady Christie added.
In her closing remarks, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the students on behalf of the Founder and Chancellor, and encouraged all Fresh Students to reflect on the words of ABUAD’s anthem every day, describing it as “the launching pad to excellence, with determination, faith in ABUAD’s philosophy of industry, service and character, a future for greatness and excellence is assured.” She further added: “The anthem is the Afeism, the philosophy ABUAD is built on. The very call to greatness and to excellence.”
She reminded the Freshers of the Founder’s wise advice: “With hard work and the ambiance of our serene environment and internationally acclaimed faculty, you can become anything you dream to be”. The road to greatness begins now—walk it with purpose, diligence, and integrity.”
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From the VC’s Desk