The Vice Chancellor of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAU), Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan, has issued a definitive mandate to the institution’s newly admitted students, asserting that the university maintains an uncompromising zero tolerance policy toward all forms of social vice and academic dishonesty. Speaking at the university’s third matriculation ceremony held recently in Oyo Town, Professor Olaniyan formally welcomed a diverse cohort of 2,893 students drawn from 25 states across the federation. The Vice Chancellor’s address served as both a celebratory welcome and a stern constitutional briefing, as he cautioned the freshmen that the pursuit of academic excellence is fundamentally incompatible with involvement in violence, internet fraud commonly referred to as "yahoo yahoo" and examination malpractice. He emphasised that the institution is built upon a foundation of integrity, and any act that undermines this academic sanctity will be met with swift and decisive disciplinary measures.
In a poignant segment of his address, Professor Olaniyan officially designated the 2024/2025 intake as the “Radiant Generation,” explaining that the title was chosen to reflect the potential of the students to glow through their academic and moral achievements. However, he was quick to remind the matriculants that such a title is not a passive gift but a standard to be earned through consistent discipline and hard work. He urged the students to set clear, measurable academic and personal goals from the onset of their journey, remaining steadfast in their focus while navigating the complexities of university life. A significant portion of the Vice Chancellor’s warning was directed toward the modern digital landscape; he cautioned the students against the misuse of technology and social media, reminding them that they will be held strictly accountable for their online activities and that the university abhors all forms of harassment, whether physical or digital.
Complementing the Vice Chancellor’s charge, the matriculation lecture was delivered by Professor Stella Ojebode, the former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ibadan. Professor Ojebode framed the ceremony as a transformative milestone, noting that admission into a specialised university of education carries a unique societal weight. She reminded the audience that education remains the most potent instrument for national development and that the students, as future educators, represent the bedrock upon which all other professional sectors are built. Professor Ojebode highlighted the pressing need for teachers who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically grounded and innovative. She argued that the future of Nigeria effectively passes through the classrooms that these matriculants will one day lead, making their current character development as vital as their academic scores.
The lecture concluded with a powerful call to action, as Professor Ojebode advised the students to let integrity be their identity and excellence their standard. She noted that while a degree provides a credential, only true competence and character provide the capacity to lead. As the 2,893 students took their formal matriculation oaths, the ceremony solidified the university’s commitment to producing a new cadre of educators who are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The event closed with a final reminder from the university management that the privilege of membership in the EAU community is contingent upon continued adherence to the rules and regulations that govern the institution, ensuring that the "Radiant Generation" lives up to its name through both its intellectual output and its moral conduct.
