By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Continuing Education Programme (CEP), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Friday, 24th May 2024 held her one-day orientation programme for fresh CEP Students for the 2023-2024 academic session.
The orientation programme held at the University Auditorium was designed to enlighten and educate the fresh students about the CEP programme, inundate them about life in a University settings and as well processes that will ensure they will be in good academic standings in order to graduate with good grades.
In his address, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, congratulated the fresh CEP students on gaining admission into the University which is one of the most sought after in the federation. The Vice-Chancellor who was ably represented by the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (SAVC) on Academic Matters, Prof. Frederick Odibo stated that the institution took pains in organizing the programme as part of actions to give parity to the CEP and regular academic programmes of the University.
Esimone informed that as bona fide students of the University, they will be exposed to the same curricula in their various disciplines as the regular full-time students and are bound by the same academic regulations. The Chief Executive of the institution stated that the only difference is in the mode of study which is part-time for the CEP at the weekends and longer period while the regular students study full time.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the format of the certificate issued to regular and CEP graduates are same for both programmes. He highlighted the responsibility of students as payment of fees, attendance to lectures and eschewing negative practices such as examination misconduct, certificate forgery and cultism.
In his opening remarks titled, ‘Why we are here’ and delivering a lecture titled, ‘I and my academics’, by the Director of CEP, Professor Okenwa Cyprian Ogbodo congratulated the newly admitted CEP students. Prof. Ogbodo informed the students that the CEP programme is now a five-year programme for students who came in with their ‘O’ level certificate while direct entry students will have a gestation period of four year in the ivory tower.
Ogbodo stated that the orientation is necessary to build their minds with a view to building themselves academically, socially and mentally towards graduating with good grades. The CEP Director assured that the unit will do everything possible to equip them with the best possible teaching resources, practical exposure and training methods in order to shape their life and career for a progressive future.
Delivering his lecture on the topic, ‘Academic Regulations of the University’, the SAVC on Academic Matters and Chairman CEP Board, Prof. Frederick Odibo stated that the institution is founded on the philosophy that knowledge should be propagated and disseminated to all without hindrance and that teaching and research would be focused on primarily providing the needs of the Nigerian society and mankind in general. The scholar gave insights on admission processes, deferment of admission, course credit system and examinations.
In his lecture titled ‘Students’ Affairs and Behaviour’ by the Dean of Student Affairs, Engr. Professor Chinonso Achebe emphasized that the Student Affairs Department is established to attend to the welfare of the students of the institution and to ensure successful and fruitful stay on campus. Prof. Achebe disclosed that the Student Affairs Department has three units as General office and ICT/Protocol, Residency and Hostels, Graduation and NYSC all of which are headed by Deputy Registrars who report to the Dean of Student Affairs.
Achebe highlighted the services offered by the Student Affairs Department to include Orientation for fresh students, hostel management and accommodation for students, supervision of the transportation system, supervision of associations/clubs and supervision of Students Union Government (SUG). The scholar also informed that students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner, show concern and take ownership of their environment in what he described as Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB).
The institution’s Director of Medical Services, Prof. Lasbery Asomugha while speaking on the topic, ‘Health Issues and Facilities in the University Medical Centre’, informed that the University has put in place a very functional medical service that is available twenty four hours of the day for provision of services to both the students and staff population. He encouraged the students to leverage on these services during their stay in the university while disclosing that the only requirement in accessing the free medical services is evidence of tuition fees payment.
In a vote of thanks by one of the first year students delivered by the Class Representative of Department of Entrepreneurship, Divine Ojiribe stated that the Orientation programme has enlightened their minds and engendered strong desire to hit the ground running towards a successful academic journey. He thanked the CEP management and the institution at large for the opportunity while admonishing his fellow students to always carry the spirit of the orientation programme with them in their strive for excellence and opportunities ahead.
On her part, the Deputy Director I of the CEP, Prof. Edith Umeh in her vote of thanks eulogized the management of the institution for the opportunity to serve and for the support in organizing the programme. The scholar promised the students that the CEP Unit is poised in ensuring that their quest for academic excellence will be achieved in the course of their stay in the institution. She also advised them to study hard in order to achieve success in their academic pursuit and graduate with good grades.
Other lectures delivered by members of the University Management and principal officers of the institution were on Administrative Structure and Channels of Communications by the University’s Acting Registrar, Pastor Samuel Ufoh; Use of Library and E-Library Resources by the University Librarian, Dr. Stella Ngozi Anasi; Financial Guidelines for Students delivered by the University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwatu represented by the Deputy Bursar and Head of Finance of the CEP, Mrs Angela Chika Nneji.
There were lectures also on Entrepreneurship by the Director COCES, Prof. Ada Sam Omenyi represented by the Deputy Director II, Dr. Taiwo Abdullahi and Security Issues in and around the University by the Chief Safety Officer, Chief Ken Chukwurah.
Other highlights of the orientation programme was interaction with the students and staff in form of a question and answer session as well as group photograph.
