By Adesina Wahab

The Vice Chancellor, Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has urged new intakes into the university to manage their time well, saying that could determine what their academic journey would look like in the end.

He gave the charge on Wednesday during the eighth matriculation ceremony of the institution during which 715 new students were formally inaugurated as students of the university.

“As a university, we will continue to ensure that the confidence that parents, guardians and students reposed in us is not misplaced. The importance of time in life cannot be over-emphasised. Time is valuable and cannot be replaced. It is a limited and precious commodity.

“Our activities at TU resolve around time, a commodity that cannot be controlled, stopped or slowed down or reserved. What you do with your time on campus will determine what class of degree you obtain at the end . You are advised to manage you time well. Attend lectures, ensure that you do what you are expected to do at the right time,” he said.

He told the new students that the university would not tolerate vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, bullying and other anti-social behaviours.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, Pastor Samuel Olatunji, in his speech, said the new students made the right choice by coming to TU for their university education.

“We have a clear vision to be a world class university. Our mission to effectively and comprehensively equip our students and maintain our identity as an institution that is built on the Rock of Ages and committed to all round excellence. As a university, we uphold the value of godliness, academic excellence, professionalism, integrity, leadership and discipline. These are not just words on paper , they are the heartbeat of Trinity University,” he stated.

Delivering the matriculation lecture, the Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, spoke on “Coping with the challenges of university education in Nigeria: The role of psycho-social adjustment.”

He listed the challenges of university education in Nigeria to include academic challenges, economic and environment challenges and social challenges which have given birth to psychological and social stressors among others.

The challenges, he noted, lead to burn out, reduced concentration, emotional exhaustion, depression, anxiety disorder, low self esteem, loneliness and social isolation, identity confusion and so on.
He advised students to develop emotional awareness, build supportive relationships, adopt effective study and time management skills, seek help without shame, maintain a sense of purpose etc.
The matriculation oath was later administered on the students by the Registrar of the University, Mr David Oyejide.