Newly admitted students of Enugu State College of Education (Technical),  ESCET, have been urged to embrace academic discipline saying any student who indulges in anti-social vices would be rusticated.

The institution which is affiliated to the University of Nigeria Nsukka ( UNN) made this known at the weekend during the 19th matriculation ceremony for over 500 new students admitted into the various programmes of the college including National Certificate of Education, NCE, Degree, Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) and Outreach.

Provost of the College, Dr. Stella Chinweudo Ekwueme, in her address at the occasion, congratulated the students and urged them to take their academic journey seriously.

ESCET Provost, Dr. Stella Chinweudo Ekwueme

She emphasized the importance of regular class attendance, timely completion of assignments and extensive use of the College Library.

“I urge you to embrace academic discipline, personal integrity, and responsible conduct. Cultism, drug abuse, and other vices have no place in our academic environment,” the provost said.

Dr Ekwueme told the students that the College maintains strict zero-tolerance policy on such matters, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully by upholding high moral standard while in the institution.

Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Oguejiofo T. Ujam, represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Anthony Attama, also addressing the students, reemphasizes  the need for strict adherence to institution’s laid down rules and regulations.

He assured them of the University’s commitment to creating a conducive academic environment for all and encouraged them to report any form of exploitation from any staff to the appropriate authority through the office of the Dean Students Affairs.

He also cautioned against involvement in cultism warning that “any student found to be involved in secret cult activities will be rusticated”.

The Vice Chancellor condemned cybercrime, stating that the university “frowns at all forms of ICT-assisted crimes.

In a show of government support, the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah in a speech presented by His Special Adviser, Dr. Obinna Muouh, assured the College Community of the unwavering support of Governor Peter Mbah to the College.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment’s to enhancing the welfare and development of the institution.

The well-added ceremony was marked under a convivial atmosphere as newly admitted students took their matriculation oaths symbolizing the official commencement of their academic pursuit at the College.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, on Wednesday, announced the release of N50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of earned allowances, as promised by President Bola Tinubu.

This  was disclosed in a statement titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority”, issued by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education.

Boriowo stated that the move “stands as yet another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector. It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital.”

According to the Minister, “This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them.

“By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.”

The Minister expressed President Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions.

“Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community,” the statement added.

The President reiterated: “The youth are the heartbeat of our country. Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. Keeping our children in school is not negotiable. It is my commitment that strikes
in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past.”

Recall that university-based academic unions have been at loggerheads with past governments over the failure to release earned allowances, among other demands.