EKSU partners TOPCOED, matriculates first set of students

…As Ag. VC assures students of quality education

Esther Taiwo

Ekiti State University (EKSU) in affiliation with Topmost College of Education (TOPCOED0, Ipaja/Agbado, Lagos, has matriculated first set of students for Sandwich degree programmes in the institution. The event which was held at TOPCOED in Lagos had the acting Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi, the Registrar, Barr. Akin Arogundade among others in attendance. Speaking at the ceremony, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, KSU, Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi, said the vision and mission of the university is to train and produce men and women of honour, equipped with good education, strong character, high level of morality and integrity. “That is why the institution had been blessed with high-caliber, world class academics and professionals who have distinguished themselves in their areas of specialization,” he stated. Ajayi added that this is the class of responsible group that they are aspiring to belong. She however said it takes moral uprightness, academic alertness, self-discipline and mental capacity to resist peer negative influence to reach the graduation goal. “I hereby assure all matriculants that the university will give you a quality education deserving of any reputable tertiary institution in the country and with that, committed and hard-working students would complete his or her course at the record time stipulated for the programme.” The Professor of Chemistry however enjoined them to shun anti-social behaviours and all other acts of misdemeanour such as cultism, examination malpractices and any other vices that could jeopardise their success and future endeavours in life. “You should know that the award of Bachelor Degree is subject to having satisfied the university in both character and learning, therefore acquaint yourselves with rules and regulations, study hard and shun anti-social activities,” she reiterated. Earlier in her speech, the Provost of TOPCOED, Dr. Olufunmilayo Odunayo, said Topmost had established very cordial relationship with other academic bodies in the past, but the debut leap to EKSU has been seen as a major breakthrough and shall remain indelible in her memory for long. “Let me add that some other universities had made advances in the past but on our drawing board EKSU was ranked a good model in terms of quality in the academic industry and which EKSU has been maintaining consistently since inception till now,” he said. Odunayo explained further that Topmost as a group is a giant in the field of academics and this has enabled her to establish unfettered relationship with renowned and very reliable organisations. His words: “Today apart from this new relationship with EKSU, we maintain balanced relationship with premier bodies like National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, Industrial Training Fund, ITF, and a host of other bodies saddled with the responsibilities of promoting education.” On how the institution works, the provost said the college operates an open-door policy. “Although, students /staff unionism is highly discouraged, to avoid disruption in our academic calendar, we have set up the students’ representative council whose responsibility is to be a forum to check and balance the system. “This maiden set has been identified as a force to reckon with and our belief is that the confidence reposed in them shall not be misplaced either now or in the future.” Congratulating the matriculating students, Odunayo urged them to see the degree programme as a life-time opportunity that comes once in a blue moon. “You are therefore enjoined to strive hard and reciprocate the gesture of your benefactors by operating within the ambits of the law because success does not come without sacrifice.” In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Coordinator of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, Mr. Tony Nwachukwu disclosed that government has taken a firm decision by stating December 2019 as deadline for all teachers to be certified and licensed. “Professionalisation carries with it the tenents that ensures high quality of practitioners, qualitative service delivery and restrict entry into the vocation which is consequently followed by high reward, high status, prestige and full recognition,”Odunayo stated. He said in order to make it easier for Education Students, TRCN has commenced “Catch them Young Programme” whereby graduates are registered at point of graduation. To the matriculants, the coordinator told them that teachers are critical nation builders, therefore they should count themselves fortunate to have taken a bold step towards becoming active members. “My wonderful teachers in the making, you would become partakers in moving the nation’s education sector forward,” he said. The President, Students’ Representative Council of the institution, Lukman Agbaje, assured the university authority of the students’ good behaviour and compliance to the university’s rules and regulations. “We look forward to the successful completion of our various programmes within the record time because EKSU is known for qualitative education and we are not bargaining for anything less,” he admonished.