By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State Polytechnic Bajoga has matriculated its newly admitted 352 students for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the school premises Bajoga, the Rector Dr Abbas Umar Farouk charged the new students to be law abiding and utilize the abundant learning materials to their advantage.
Represented by his deputy Engineer Aminu Muhammad Chiroma, the rector charged the new students to take their studies with all seriousness, shun cultism, social vices and dress decently to avoid embarrassment.
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“Be sincere in all you do, relate with other students peacefully, stay free of social vices, read hard and you will excel”, the rector admonished.
While advising the matriculants to always carry their identification cards along, Dr Abbas warned the new students to handle their smart phones with caution; avoid reckless posting about the school on social media without prior permission.
Presenting a paper on the theme “Entrepreneurship and the 21st Century Students: The Role of Polytechnics in Nigeria”, the guest speaker Professor Babawuro Shuaibu from Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa University Bauchi, charged the new matriculants to be self-reliant and employers of labour rather than job seekers, maintaining “the era of white collar jobs is over”.
He said “As graduates from this polytechnic, you are expected to be innovative, take risk, have an initiative mindset, adoptability, resilience and financial management skills to add value to yourselves and your society.
He said entrepreneurship cut across all walks of life, challenging the new students to create business opportunities for themselves and for others while in the polytechnic.
“While on campus, you can come up with business ideas and be self reliant, not necessarily wait for sponsorship from your parents or guidians. Involve yourself into social interpreneuship with your smart phones and engage in online businesses across all sectors”, he added.
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The guest speaker tasked the new students to take entrepreneurship education courses very serious to earn the necessary skills and knowledge for their success.
In his address, the Special Guest of Honour Engineer Musa Madaki, Head of Logistics Ashaka Cement Company, charged the matriculants to give back their parents and guidians, value of what they spent on them.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor Gombe State University (GSU) represented by the Dean Students Affairs Professor Hasana Muhammad Bello, advice the matriculants to always school’s rules and regulations, work hard and be good ambassadors for their parents, the polytechnic and the state at large.
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The 352 matriculants drawn from the school’s nine departments, were administered oath of matriculation by the registrar, making them bonafide students of the polytechnic.
Some of the students interviewed expressed commitments to study hard and contribute their quota to nation building.
Highlights of the ceremony include a drama presentation by students on the significance of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
