The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, has told the 2023/2024 matriculants of the University to see themselves as the best of the best, the champion of champions.
The Vice-Chancellor said this was because 39008 candidates chose UI as their University of first choice, 14971 scored 200 and above in the UTME, 7647 sat for the Post UTME, 5507 scored above 50%, 3974 were offered admission while 3749 accepted the admission into various courses of the University.
He said the matriculants constitute only 9.6% of those who chose the University of Ibadan.
Professor Adebowale stated all these while delivering an address to participants of the virtual 2023/2024 Matriculation Ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor, who titled his address “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” advised the matriculants to see their admission as opportunities and challenges.
He said the admission is an opportunity to stand on the shoulders of an abundance of giants who had consistently raised the bar of academic excellence, morality, good conduct, and service to humanity.
He said the standards have to be surpassed or maintained and to do this, he told the matriculants to share with the giants, similar values of hardwork, honesty and integrity, respect for others, kindness and respect for laws and constituted authorities.
Professor Adebowale charged the students to be giants of tomorrow by abstaining from activities that can tarnish their image such as violence, examination malpractices, theft, gangsterism, the occult, ritual killing etc.
He charged them to gird their loins for the task ahead, adding that the University Management would do its possible best to ensure a comfortable stay for the students on campus.
A Matriculation Lecture entitled “Harnessing the Giant in You for Giant Strides” was delivered by Dr. Victor T. Alabi, of the Centre for Language Studies, Brown University, U.S.A.
Dr Alabi described UI as a prestigious institution that had produced exceptional giants in global space – business, politics, religion, academia, media, etc.
He said UI Alumni had proven that creating a positive impact in the global space is a reality.
He advised the matriculants to study hard, work hard, and work smart; not to neglect their gifts and talents but rather think of the best ways to cultivate such.
He also advised them to network and connect with great minds, be disciplined with the use of time, see big things and dream big things, and above all, to never give up.
The Registrar, Mr. G. O. Saliu administered the Matriculation Declaration/Oath on the Matriculants.
The virtual ceremony was watched by 5018 viewers from all over the world.
