UDUS matriculates 4,950 as VC charges students against extremism

The Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University in Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, has urged newly matriculated students of the institution to conduct themselves well.

Professor Zuru gave this charge during the matriculation ceremony held for 4,950 students at the institution’s matriculation ground on Friday.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the students were selected from the 26,000 candidates who applied for admission into the university, through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

During his speech, Professor Zuru urged the students to shun violence and extremism and advised them to read the student handbook, as this will serve as a guide for their conduct during their stay in the university.

“Remember that hopes of your families, communities and our dear country are vested in your successful completion of the programme for which you are being matriculated today. I hasten to advise you to stay away from extremism, violence, intolerance, especially in ethnic, political and religious matters. These are some of the major vices that are currently posing threats to our country.

“I enjoin you all to be extra vigilant and security conscious and report any suspicious movement, person and groups to the appropriate organs of the university, calmly and professionally,” the VC said.

He then disclosed the distribution of the 4,950 new students across the 11 faculties of the university.

According to his records, 540 students were admitted into the Faculty of Agriculture, 311 into the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies, 1,114 into the Faculty of Education and Extension Services and 119 into the Faculty of law.

1,601 students were matriculated to study in the Faculty of Science, 290 in the Faculty of Management Sciences, 288 in the Faculty of Social Sciences and 120 in the Faculty of Medicine.

Others include the College of Health Sciences with 398 students, 94 into the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and 75 students into the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Design.

The Vice-Chancellor said 98 per cent of the institution’s courses are duly accredited as ‘only newly introduced programme was denied accreditation.’

“It is also on record that the university has been impressively competing well and sometimes overshadowing many highly rated first generation universities in Nigeria. You should, therefore, count yourselves very fortunate and express gratitude to Allah SWT for blessing and insurance for your future,” he added.

Founded in 1975, UDUS is a federal government university located in the city of Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria.