TO ALL NEWLY ADMITTED/FRESHER OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY- Comr. Utov Solomon Hilary

By Comr. Utov Solomon Hilary
Dept of Sociology

Before anything else, I must congratulate you all for successfully scaling through the processes that legitimately qualifies you for admission; finally, you are part of this great institution, I celebrate with you, and I welcome you all.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. posits that: "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education."

However, if you miss a step, instead of being a critically thinker you become a nuisance inturned.

So I ask: Are you prepared for this journey?

The delapidating state of our dear Nation; the bewildering stance of the Educational sector; and the demeaning processes in securing admission has actually rendered many students hopeless and few getting in unduely. The value placed on "degree certificate" is making many student study what they won't end up practicing in thier later life. So, all many want is just the certificate.

Would you rather pass through the school or allow the school pass through you?

In truth, there exist many distractions that would bit-by-bit swallow you into perpetual pestilent if you are not mindful. Amongst many are: partying, fashion, cohabitation, formication, cliques, drugs & alcohol and many more... The moment you give in, you begin to drown. I urge you to stand on firm!

Once you get your Student's Handbook please study it religiously. Here we don't call for assemblies or line ups, once you breach any law you would face the disciplinary committee and ignorance won't be an excuse.

There is a phrase in pidgin that says: "Who know road no dey miss road." That is to say, have a mentor or someone (in your dept precisely) who is ahead of you and must be academically sound to mentor you academically, and get you quickly acquainted with any pertinence to the subject matter.

Learn to take responsibility. Take responsibility for yourself. When some students begin college life their sense of personal responsibility seems to disappear. Parents or guardians are not longer “cracking the whip” making certain that everything is getting done correctly or on time. That work is now the responsibility of the student.

Chose your friends carefully. Friends can support you in your efforts to maximize the benefits of a college education. Friends too set on having a good time at the expense of a good education can be seriously detrimental.

Lastly, there would come a time when the stress, frustration, brokenness, and the burden of schooling would mount on you and you would just feel like giving up; that is when your "DRIVE" would keep you going. Your drive is "why you are here" and never forfeit it for anything.

Let me warn, in BSU, if you want to graduate immediately just engage in a physical combat, in less than a day you will be expelled. Don't ever try to hit anybody.

Once again, you are all welcome. As we await your matriculation please invite me if there would be enough jollyfication.

WELCOME TO BSU.