Use education for your environment” benefit, FG tells matriculating students

By Moses Oyediran, Enugu

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farooq has appealed to the educated people in the society not to use their academic status to the detriment of the non-educated.

 The Minister said this at the 2nd matriculation ceremony of the Federal School of Social Work, Emene in Enugu at the weekend.

“You will agree with me that education comes with responsibility. Those of you, who are fortunate enough have an obligation to use your education for the benefit of others”, she said.

The minister who was represented by Hajia Nadia Mohammed, a director in the ministry advised the matriculating students urged them to be focused.

“Excellence does not come from spending 24 hours a day in the library; nor does it come from spending 12hours a day on religious activities. Spending all your time on entertainment, devoting all your energies to organizing other events will not lead to excellence”.

“As a student, you will be well on the way to achieving excellence if you are able to strike the right balance between your academic, extracurricular, and social life”.

“The Ministry will continue to do its best to make your stay here as pleasant as possible”, she said.

Earlier in an address, the Provost of the School, Mr. Duru Oliver said matriculation of the institution is a statutory gathering for new students offered admission.

” I welcome you all, most wholeheartedly to this occasion that marks the official entry of every student into higher institutions of learning.

It is significant because it is a statutory gathering to formally admit deserving and qualified candidates who are fortunate to be offered admission into this great institution.

The provost pleaded with governments, stakeholders, corporate organizations to help in rehabilitating the access road leading to the institution. 

“Other areas that require support according to the Provost, include Provision of standard e-library for proper learning and research, provision of 500/1000KVA generator to complement power from the national grid, and sinking of a motorized borehole in the school amongst others.

Duru however warned that failure to fulfill 75% attendance in class will amount to the forfeiture of studentship in the school.

“The qualities of character expected from you include honesty, politeness, communal spirit, dedication, discipline, tolerance, perseverance, punctuality, and regularity at lectures and the fear of God”. Oliver said.

The provost also commended the host community for being a dependable host.

” I commend the host communities, the Enugu State government for being a dependable host to the school for more than 36 years now”, he said.

Daily Times gathered that the institution which was established in 1983 is the only school of social work in the country and in west Africa.