The founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has charged students of the institution to make hard work, service and good character their watchword.
Babalola posited that being industrious would help the students to be successful in their studies and future endeavours.
He spoke at the institution’s 14th matriculation for 1,907 new students or the 2022/2023 academic session.
The legal icon said ABUAD was established to reform education in Nigeria and to create a space for educational revolution in the country.
According to him, “It pays the most for those who work hardest, If you follow the rules and regulations of this university, there is nothing you cannot achieve”.
He said the university was recently ranked by the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking as the number one of the 220 universities in Nigeria and number 321globally.
In her address, the vice chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde congratulated the matriculating students for being lucky to be admitted out of several thousands of students who indicated in being here and would have loved to be here today.
The VC who advised the new students to be of good conduct and avoid bad friends said, “Remember, show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. You must avoid bad company. Always remember that evil communication corrupts good manners.
“Shun vices and anti-social behaviours which are capable of ruining your otherwise very bright and thriving future. Remember that ABUAD has codes of conduct, with appropriate and commensurate sanctions for those who breach them.
Harping on what ABUAD is and stand for, Prof Olarinde said, “It is a university in line with the tradition in the oldest universities with a vision to reform and provide functional education by example and lead others in quality education, industry, service and character as well as discipline, matching the models of world class universities such as Yale, Oxford, Harvard, London, Stamford and Cambridge among several others.
“This institution is where students have quality, functional education and transformative education that is unique in many ways,” Olarinde said.
