~ Felix-Joe Chibunkem
COOUNewS, 2024.
On Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, fnipr, addressed the incoming first-year students during their orientation session. This followed their recent matriculation ceremony held on March 15, 2024.
Professor Omenugha warmly congratulated the students on embarking on this new chapter of their academic journey. She emphasized the transformative nature of university life, highlighting that they would undergo significant changes in their attire, speech, and behavior as they immerse themselves in the university experience. Stressing the importance of both academic excellence and personal development, she encouraged them to strive for top grades as having a C is a bad grade as long as she is concerned and to cultivate positive relationships while avoiding negative influences.
“Your grades matter,” Professor Omenugha emphasized, noting that mediocrity was not acceptable. She urged the students to aim for excellence, setting their sights on achieving A’s and B’s in their academic pursuits.
In addition to academic success, Professor Omenugha urged the students to be discerning in their choice of friends, cautioning against associating with individuals whose behavior may compromise their own values and goals. She reiterated the importance of remembering the family they come from and reminded them of their responsibility to make wise decisions and prioritize their safety, especially when navigating unfamiliar environments.
Encouraging a proactive approach to problem-solving, Professor Omenugha assured the students that support and assistance were readily available from the university, including dedicated hotlines for urgent matters.
In response, Nwabude Ifeoma Lucy, a first-year Mass Communication student, expressed gratitude on behalf of her fellow students, pledging their commitment to upholding the university’s standards and making the institution proud.
As the orientation concluded, the university extended its congratulations to the incoming freshmen, wishing them success and fulfillment in their academic pursuits.
