AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Veterans in various fields of human endeavours have taken the newly admitted students of the Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences Institute, University of Ibadan on ethical conducts in fields of health, gender issues, security, environmental, educational, cultural practices etc. as part of the year 2023 orientation programme of the institution.
Among the facilitators are the Provost, Post Graduate College, UI, Prof. Ayodeji Ogunjuyigbe; Chief Security Officer, University of Ibadan, Mr. Victor Fadeyi; Director, UI Health Services, Dr Aderonke Ajav; and Director, Office of International Programmes, Prof. Fawole Olufunmilayo, represented on the occasion by her predecessor in the office, Prof. Ayotola Aremu.
They harped on the need for the 110 newly admitted students from 47 African countries for various Masters and Doctorate degree programmes to make good use of the opportunity given to them by the African Union by maintaining their integrity, remaining focused to their studies, embracing the opportunity of the wide cultural diversity of Africa and determining to pass the knowledge acquired within the period of studies to their countries of origin when they graduate.
During her talk, Prof. Aremu said, “Take good advantage of the diverse cultural environment, do not cocoon yourself. Ibadan is a very receptive cosmopolitan city with very rich culture; visit local restaurants, stores and neighborhood, but just be careful. Find out about local food before you eat, build meaningful connections and share your stories. You can gain much more. Maintain mutual respect with people.”
Ajav highlighted the importance of healthy living, stressing that it is better for an individual to pay attention to his health than to begin to seek medical intervention when down with ailments and diseases. “Living a healthy lifestyle is a choice and you should not let anybody derail you from achieving it. Ensure that you are happy, engage in exercise, dance and maintain cleanliness at all times,” Ajav advised.
The UI Chief Security Officer, who took the fresh students through security and safety issues in Ibadan and environs, harped on the fact that Ibadan is a warm and welcoming cosmopolitan city to non-indigenes but also urged them to be security conscious and not engage in any conduct that could endanger their lives or tarnish the image of their countries.
Fadeyi said, “You are advised to see Ibadan as home away from home. So many foreigners who come here don’t want to leave. Apart from the regular police, the city house different security outfits that are represented at all levels of government to ensure that Ibadan remain safe.
“Security is everybody’s business. So, it is also your business. Self preservation and self defense are your responsibilities. All of you are accommodated on the campus. You are not expected to accommodate a stranger or a visitor in your room without the knowledge of the management.
“It is not everytime that you will be happy with what is going on around you. But we do not allow protest. As a matter of fact, post graduate students are not allowed to get involved in protest at UI. If you have to travel, discuss with the management. Don’t embark on unauthorized journey. Let people know where you are going.
“It is the age of technology. Life becomes beautiful. Avoid buying second hand or used phones. Buy new phones with receipts because Police can stop you to ask for the receipt of your phone. People’s properties are sometimes taken at gunpoint. If you buy such properties, it becomes a problem.
“You are advised to have the numbers of those whom you can contact in case of an emergency. Do not be in possession of unwholesome substances. Avoid late night movements. If you must go out at night, carry a valid means of identification. If you go somewhere and it is late, stay there till the next day.
“Respect the religion of others. It is better you don’t argue about it at all. Don’t go into argument with people on issues of religion. Also, back up information on your electronic system. Do not use unapproved materials like electric cooker, gas cooker. If you allow your roommate to use it, you are an accomplice. If you have to change your money, be very careful not to fall into wrong hands.”
Provost, Post Graduate College, UI, Prof. Ayodeji Ogunjuyigbe, spoke on Post Graduate studies in general at UI disclosing that UI had large array of experienced and award-winning lecturers/ researchers.
The Deputy Director of PAULESI, Prof. Michael Adeyinka Oladunjoye, while welcoming the students to the Institute, hinted that they were drawn from various parts of Africa representing the five regions of the continent to pursue Masters and PhD degrees at PAULESI.
Oladunjoye said, “This orientation programme is organized to help you with the needed information to enhance your stay on campus and to have a hitch-free study experience at PAULESI. The Institute has brought together seasoned facilitators who are veterans in their various spheres of academics, operations and administrative assignments and are available to help. Please, feel free to ask questions so as to be guided and well-informed.”
Congratulating them on the PAU scholarship award, he disclosed that of the 3,318 captured applications from 47 African countries, only 110 candidates, representing 3.31per cent, were selected following thorough process for the 2022/23 academic session.
“PAULESI is a high-performance rated institution with the drive towards sustainable excellence by providing a suitable academic ambience for our students to productively engage in learning and research with the guide of prominent academics who serve as teachers, supervisors, mentors and many other roles. All the new students will go through intensive language course to get students acclimatized with the official language of the institute. Students from francophone countries will take English classes while those from Anglophone countries will take French classes.
“We have our peculiar culture here in the Southwestern part of the country which forms part of the cultural diversity of the African continent. We try our best to accord respect to one another. Hence, you are admonished to be on your best behaviour through your stay at PAULESI and in Nigeria.
“In spite of your cultural differences, I encourage you to live peacefully with one another, act responsibly, be good ambassadors of your home country and practice Ubuntu – I am because you are – a quality that includes the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity.
“After the intensive language classes, there will be series of entrepreneurship and innovation activities as entrepreneurs are wheels of economic development. Therefore, every student of PAU should have an awareness and be conscious on entrepreneurship, issues related to gender, human rights and African history. I will like to encourage you that through your stay at PAULESI, strive to explore innovative ideas and be creative, the institute will provide some support towards publication in quality journals and registration of patents,” he said.
On behalf of H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki, Commissioner, Director, Rector of PAULESI, the Deputy Director expressed appreciation to the UI management, the PAULESI support staff, members of the organizing committee and the returning students just as he wished the new students all the best.
The Pan African University is an initiative of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union. It is a Premier continental university network whose mission is to provide quality postgraduate education geared towards the achievement of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa.
Three of the new students of the institute, namely Tanni Quinter Wenzi, Gassem Gacha and Michael Chungu, expressed excitement on the African Union initiative.
Wenzi, a Cameroonian and PhD student in Mineral Exploration, said she was happy to be given opportunity to see the vast landscape of Nigeria. According to her, she would be glad to study some of the aboundant solid minerals in Nigeria. Asked about reason for studying the course, she said, “I have always had a passion for Geology right from high school. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering and I have a Masters in Mineral Exploration. My country has rich mineral reserve.
“Doing Mineral Exploration, you have to be somebody who is open-minded. It is an opportunity for me to know the Geology of Nigeria. I count myself very fortunate to have been selected by the African Union Commission. I intend to do my best and to represent my country to make my country a better place as far as mineral exploration is concerned.”
Gacha, from Tunisia, studying Petroleum Geoscience programme, said, “This is an interesting opportunity. In our hall, we have students from 47 countries. There is a big cultural exchange, the people are very friendly. People are ready to assist, the environment is secured, so we are very happy here.”
Chungu, a Zambian, who is pursuing a Masters in Environmental Management, said, “Coming to Nigeria is nice. It is a different environment from where I come from. I am enjoying the new food and culture and most of all, I am enjoying meeting different people from different countries of Africa. It’s been a great two weeks so far, I am looking forward to having more of it. I have learnt about a lot of things so far. They have talked about gender equity, learning new cultures and languages. I am looking forward to learning French and I hope to pick a few words in Yoruba language.”
