AS IT HAPPENED
On this Day, 17th of February 2016 the programme kicked off some minutes after the hour of 9:00am as students were required to register before going into the Main auditorium. Students from different faculties and their respective departments trooped in, occupying the dark colored seats in the Main auditorium.
Different dignitaries came in and sat on the High table, one of which was significant was the arrival of the Vice Chancellor who was welcomed with a standing ovation.
The M.C at that moment, made the auditorium lively with the popular alute: And of the Greatest Lasuites. In which everyone echoed GREEAAAAAT!
This followed with the Opening prayer, National Anthem and the School Anthem. Both the National Anthem and the School Anthem were led by LASU’s Musical Band (a group of talented students).
The Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries; some Professors and Senior lecturers were recognized.
Being time conscious, the Vice-Chancellor addressed every 100 level student present in the auditorium in a very special way. The Vice-Chancellor’s communiqué was truly a unique one.
He called out eight bold students from different departments and asked each student the same question: “Why are you here?” The first person who answered the question was a lady from the department of Nursing. I can’t quite remember what she said but she got everyone electrified. How did she get everyone electrified?
She answered in a bold and stylish manner and what she said made everyone want to cheer her. One of the students answered in a gesticulate manner, saying he was here to be orientated. Some other said he was here to be learned and prove to the world that LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY is the Best.
These answers the student gave all seemed satisfactory to the VC. He appreciated them with a warm hand shake and of course, a handy takeaway.
The VC made it known to us that these students have said exactly what he was meant to say.
Talking in a passionate manner and like a good father would advice his son. He enlightened us on the dos and don’ts of LASU. He warned against any form of bad behavior among students, rudeness to lecturers, staff and officials, arrogance and cultism.
Penalty for such offences among students would result in what he called Early Graduation which is rather known as Expulsion.
He advised students to face their studies squarely and avoid any form of distraction.
Concluding his speech, he talked briefly on the sentence “the future starts here and now”. He thanked everyone that made the programme possible and immediately, he took His leave.
As he left there was a thunderous applause in the auditorium. An escort and some professors followed from behind.
The programme continued it was rowdy outside just by the door way as more students kept trooping in just to be part of the programme. Those that couldn’t find a vacant seat were asked to go upstairs or rather stand by the door way.
The bursar, the chief librarian, the I.C.T Head official, an executive from the Examination and Result board, LASU, the M.D of Wema Bank, LASU branch, the Security head official and some Volunteers from the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation addressed the students.
The bursar, who didn’t get much of the student’s interest talked about School fees and registration of students; School fees payments, amount of school fees, paying school fees as at when due, paying online and to no other person nor bank.
The bursar took some questions from a couple of students and answered professionally. He also talked about Scholarships and Bursary payments (a particular amount of money paid to a student of LASU by the Local government/ State which the student hails from). This amount of money is given to the student yearly.
Before any student is paid this bursary, he/she must have met some requirements like submitting some required documents and getting approved before he/she is entitled to bursary payment .“He said”
He referred the students to the student association of their respective states for more enquiries and information on Bursary payments.
The student association of Osun state Students was present at the programme. They functioned as Ushers and took the attendance of students that hailed from Osun. These Ushers were all on white T-shirts with an imprint which read “The student association of Osun state Students”.
The Chief Librarian lectured the students on the use of the University Library. He advised students to use the Library to their advantage for better Learning. He hinted on the amount of information the LASU Library contained.
He brought to the notice of students that they get registered by getting their library cards in order to use the library fully.
The I.C.T Head official, using some presentation tools (Laptop, Projector and Screen) with the aid of an assistant showed everyone in the auditorium how to go about checking their results online (LASU’s website-www.lasu.edu.ng)
He gave a brief lecture on the Topic DATABASE, how results were uploaded online and how results were being graded:
Ø 5.0-4.5à First class
Ø 4.4-3.9à Second class upper
Ø 3.8-3.4àSecond class lower
Ø 3.3-2.9à Third class and so on
He caught everyone’s attention when he narrated the story of a LASU first class student who beat two UNILAG students to come top. He also showed everyone the result of this first class student. He concluded his presentation by sharing some contacts of the I.C.T Dept. LASU
The executive from the Examination and Result board, LASU was passionate in her presentation I really felt the passion in her. She talked about exams, Statement of results and Certificate. The area on Statement of results caught everyone’s full attention.
She gave an experience of a lady who knew nothing of a document called STATEMENT OF RESULTS. The statement of result as the name implies shows the statement of your whole result from your first year in the university till you become a graduate.
This lady in question graduated from LASU, collecting her Certificate alone, got a job, worked for some years in a particular organization and was asked for her Statement of results which she couldn’t provide. You know the rest of the story.
The executive urged that while graduating from LASU, you shouldn’t just collect your certificate alone; it must be coupled with the Statement of Results or else your hard earned Certificate would be rendered useless after some working years. This could prove fatal to one’s career. TAKE NOTE!
She made it known to everyone that while collecting your statement of result, you shouldn’t be intimidated by anyone or asked to pay some amount before collecting your statement of result. “It is your right!” She made it clear. She concluded by sharing some contacts.
The M.D of Wema bank, LASU was also highly recognized in this programme. From the looks of things, Wema sponsored the programme I believe. The M.D, a graduate of LASU, talked about the partnership with LASU.
Using this medium, she advertized Wema bank to the students and convinced the students to open an account with Wema bank. “You can open a Wema bank account with a minimum of N1000, opening an account with Wema helps you manage your resources” she said.
She made reference to the fact that Wema bank as a financial institution in Nigeria partners with other higher institutions like UNILAG, Yaba College of Technology, Federal Polytechnic of Ibadan and many other institutions.
She excited everyone when she talked about the prices to be won when you take a group selfie, post it on Instagram, have the highest number of likes and become a winner of these wonderful prices (Amount of money worth N20000, Smart phones, Flat screen TV, Sound system and other consolation prices).
She concluded, reminding the students of the motto: with you all the way
The Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation represented by a woman really gave an inquisitive but educative one on the topic RAPE.
Summarizing what she lectured, she shared some stats with the student which says that: 1 OUT OF EVERY 5 FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IS RAPED MOST IN THEIR FIRST YEAR, 75% OF CAMPUS RAPE, 80% UNREPORTED.
She shared some safety tips:
ü Know your limits
ü Stick with friends
ü Watch your drink
ü Trust your gut
And what to do if sexually assaulted or raped:
ü Go to a safe place
ü Report to the nearest police station
ü Call a friend, family member, or someone you trust who can be with you and give you support
ü Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault
ü Place each item of clothing in a separate bag
ü Get medical attention
ü Seek counseling
She talked about staying safe on campus:
· Be secure
· Stay alert
· Make a plan
· Know you limits
· Protect your drink
· Think about plan B
· Make other earn your trust
· Be careful about what you post online
· Know your resources, phone numbers you can contact during emergency
“Be a good friend who cares” she advised.
Cà create a distraction
Aà ask directly
Rà refer to an authority
Eàenlist others
She shared some useful contacts in case of an emergency Lagos state Help line: 112, 08037960048. Mirabel centre: 07013491769.
At this point the Auditorium was tensed up, thanks to the students from the theatre Arts Dept. who put up some lively show of cultural dance coupled with some beat from traditional drums played by some male students.
The ladies gave their all, singing and dancing to the beat from the konga drums. The crowd, on their feet went wild, full of cheers and hails.
The crowd got to the peak of the entertainment when two performing ladies danced up to the High table where the M.D of Wema bank, LASU was seated and the two influenced the M.D to dig it.
T’was a wonderful show put up by the performers. As they danced off the stage, the crowd, once again wild, gave a loud cheer. What a way to get entertained.
The mc thanked the performers very much. There were also refreshments for the students.
The programme ended with prayers and everyone, in a rowdy manner trooped outside to continue the day with some Wema-organized-get together (party). Students opened their Instant Wema Bank Account just in front of the Main Auditorium while others took their time in taking the best group selfie hoping to win prizes.
STATS & FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
§ The orientation programme comes up every year.
§ This is the Vice-chancellor’s first orientation appearance as a VC in LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY (He was recently sworn in).
§ This is the second time in two years Wema Bank would be partnering with LASU on this programme.
§ The main auditorium, since it was reconstructed has not been used for a programme of such importance and magnitude.
§ On a rough sketch, 1 out of 3(100 level) student did not attend the programme.
§ Lagos State University does not hire Musicians/Instrumentalists during such programmes because it has its own band (consisting of talented students).
§ Sunday Ogochukwu Olisa (present super eagles Head Coach) was a graduate of LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY.
§ The youngest PhD Holder in South Africa finished her first degree in LASU.
§ A first class student from LASU beat two UNILAG students to come top in their project presentation.
§ Wema Bank was 70 years old as at the year 2015.
