Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emanuel has charged students of the University of Uyo to uphold discipline and high academic standard in which the institution is noted for, assuring that his administration is committed to the provision of conducive learning environment as well as ensuring the security of lives and property within the academic community.
Governor Udom Emmanuel stated this when he led some members of the state Executive Council and other top government functionaries to worship at the Town Campus of the Victory Chapel, University of Uyo.
Mr Emmanuel decried the prevailing moral decadence in academic institutions and questioned the rationale behind students indulgence in cultism and other vices, explaining that cultism does not guarantee a meal ticket but self destruction .
Hear him: “if any one has come to deceive you that being enlisted in a cult group is the gate way to achieving success in your endeavour, I’m telling you today that it’s false . You are actually moving yourself into condemnation”.
He advised the students to work hard to ensure a good future for themselves and justify the investment of their parents on their education, warning that the ban on cultism in the state is in force and that government would not hesitate to clampdown on erring students .
“…don’t think government will not get at you, I assure you that I will do everything within my power to make sure that I protect the life of the residents and citizens in the state. I’ve signed the law banishing cultism in this state .The day you’re caught, no body will intervene for you and that will be the end of your educational pursuits”, he stated.
Mr Emmanuel noted that students who indulge in crinminal activities while on campuses risk bringing down the wrath of God upon themselves and particularly congratulated the Vice chancellor and management of the institution for their commitment to upholding academic excellence.
He condemned in strong terms Lecturers who are members of cult groups and wondered the legacy they are bequeathing the younger generation as mentors , saying that God entrusted the youngsters into their hands for them to mold them to become useful citizens.
” if you are a Lecturer you should be a mentor but if at night you find yourself in a ravine with your own students in the name of cultism what are you mentoring the students to become. A day will come when God will demand an account of how you mentor the students in care”.
He reiterated the determination of his administration to take the state to another realm of economic development for the prosperity of the younger generation and carpet naysayers who criticise activities of government, saying “herein after the critics will come to full realisation of the gains of the programmes of this administration” .
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Enefiok Essien expressed gratitude to the Governor for being a father and thanked him for the advice given to members of the university community.
Earlier in his message, the Chaplain, Rev. Dr Iniobong Udoh who preached on the theme “When the Men are absent” taken from 1st Samuel chapter 30 verses 1 through 10, called on all to acknowledge God in all their dealings and to refrain from all acts of sin to attract more divine blessings.
The Governor was accompanied to the church by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, members of the state Executive Council, Board Chairmen and Permanent Secretaries.
Present at the service which climaxed with the presentation of a souvenir to the Governor by the Chaplain, Rev. Iniobong Udoh were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Enefiok Essien and other officials including the Provost School of Health Sciences, Professor Augustine Umoh and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Aniekan Brown.
