BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka
The Federal Cooperative College Oji River Enugu State has formally admitted her new students into the institution.
The 26th matriculation ceremony which was held at the college matriculation arena at the weekend, was an opportunity for the new students to listen to scholarly advise from the Provost of the college Dr. Obodagu Tonica Owan, the chairperson of the occasion, Dr. Nkechi Ojiagu, fellow of Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria and Head of Department of Cooperative Economics and Management Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, the Guest Lecturer Prof. Andrew Chikodi Iheanacho of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu and a host of other academic giants who took turns to remind the new students of the dire need to take advantage of the vast opportunities at the Federal Cooperative College Oji River to build themselves into wealth creators and job providers upon graduation.
Addressing the matriculants, the Provost Dr. Obodagu Tonica Owan said Federal Cooperative College Oji River has zero tolerance to all forms of indiscipline and irrational behaviours but upholds the virtues of diligence, uprightness, sound character and moral etiquettes, hardwork and self-development, adding that the institution prides herself in top-notch facilities to help students build themselves academically and otherwise.
The Provost however noted that under his watch Federal Cooperative College Oji River has seen massive infrastructural transformations ranging from construction of the college internal roads, construction of more classroom blocks, construction of new administrative buildings, to mention a few, pointing out that he would continue to play fatherly role to the students especially the newly admitted students as they commence their academic pursuit in the college.
Meanwhile, chairperson of the FCCO 26th matriculation ceremony and Head of Department of Cooperative Economics and Management Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Nkechi Ojiagu, who is also a fellow of Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICPN), in her address, admonished the matriculating students to eschew indecent dressings, avoid unnecessary absenteeism from lectures and ensure that they maximized the vast opportunities at the Federal Cooperative College Oji River where they have come to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Also the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu who was represented at the FCCO 26th matriculation ceremony by Dr. Isona Gold of the National Institute for Oil Palm Research, said the Federal Cooperative College Oji River is empowering Nigerian youths with employable and sellable skills at a time when white collar jobs have become extinct in the country.
Prof. Sharubutu however advised the matriculating students to explore opportunities available in their respective disciplines as well as tailor their minds towards the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for self-empowerment, emphasizing that the hallmark of training at the Federal Cooperative College Oji River is the production of graduate Nigerians who will contribute their own quota to national economy through job and wealth creation.
The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Andrew Chikodi Iheanacho, a professor of Agricultural Economics of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Benue State, who spoke on Revamping Agric Business Value Chain, amongst other numerous salient issues, stressed the urgent need for a positive change in the way and manner in which agric business is being handled in the country.
Prof. Iheanacho amongst other recommendations, emphasized improved security architecture in the country through state policing and support for local vigilantes to guarantee safety of stakeholders in the agric business value chain.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the admissions officer of the Federal Cooperative College Oji River, Hon. Obinna Ezeano, expressed gratitude profound to all for making out time to attend the 26th matriculation ceremony of the college in spite of their busy schedules.
Ezeano specifically thanked the chairperson of the occasion Dr. Nkechi Ojiagu for her motherly advice to the new students. He equally appreciated the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu who was represented by Dr. Isona Gold.
The admissions officer on behalf of the students and management of the Federal Cooperative College Oji River, expressed gratitude to the Guest Lecturer Prof. Andrew Chikodi Iheanacho for his thought-provoking lecture, adding that the lecture was an eye-opener to all and sundry.
He also extended appreciations to the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College Oji River, Dr. Obodagu Tonica Owan, for his efforts in ensuring a tranquil atmosphere and an enabling environment in the college at all times even as he urged the new students not to deviate or derail from their primary purpose of gaining admission into the Federal Cooperative College Oji River.
Some of the matriculating students who expressed their joy, said indeed they have made the right decision by choosing the Federal Cooperative College Oji River to pursue their higher education even as the President of the Students Union Government, comrade Benjamin Chidiogo Ezeobi, admonished the matriculating students to abstain from all acts and actions inimical and detrimental to their academic pursuits.
Highpoints of the matriculation ceremony were oath-taking by the matriculating students, cultural dance displays by the Enugu State Cultural Troop and None Eastern Students Cultural Group respectively.