THE vice chancellor of Kola Daisi University, Professor Adeniyi Olatunbosun, has described the social media as a necessary evil that has come to stay, saying as much as it has its benefits, there are also areas of problems attached to it that can adversely affect the sanctity of humanity or culture of the people if wrongly utilised.
He noted that the essence of social media is to serve as a platform for people to get information in order to be abreast of what is happening in the society as well as a means of communication and not for negative use.
Professor Olatunbosun made the observation at the 8th matriculation ceremony of the KDU adding that “most of the time, it’s better for social media users, especially students to balance their interactions on social media, hence they must use it moderately and wisely, within the content of their needs so as not to abuse or attract any negativity from it.
Speaking about the eighth matriculation ceremony, he said a total of 650 new students were admitted through the United Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Direct Entry and transfer from other universities into the faculties of Arts, Management and Social Science, Applied Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences and Law in the range of 165, 109, 314 and 62 respectively.
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While urging the newly-admitted 2023/2024 set, he charged them to eschew bad behaviours and stay away from negative gangs, saying, “there are many immoralities among the youths of today. There is an uncanny and absurd tendency to get what you cannot afford by all means. I plead with you to never be part of it. They have never brought peace to anyone; stay away from them.”
He stressed that the university has zero tolerance for vices of any kind, stating, “avoid them, instead, embrace good and acceptable social norms.
Speaking about the institution, he hinted that by February 6, the university will be commissioning its new Senate Building, just as the construction of a new four hostel buildings, which are on-going, will be due for commissioning in July.
He added that the construction of the new buildings for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and the Computer-Based Test Centre are on-going projects while the cafeteria and shops projects are at different levels of construction.
He disclosed that in May, 2024, the students of the Department of Chemical Science came second in a national inter-university competition on Green Chemistry, organised by the American Chemical Society and Africa Regional Conference on Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development
While he congratulated the parents and guardians of the new students, he solicited their “steadfast support and continuous oversight duties over them as they navigate this significant stage of their lives to a successful attainment of their goals in the university.”
Delivering the matriculation speech, entitled: ‘Taking a New Step in the Journey of Life: Illuminations,’ Professor Adenike Akinjobi from the Department of English, University of Ibadan, the internet has become a major distraction and even a danger to this generation, saying “while it can be a powerful tool for connection and learning, excessive and frivolous use can also be a distraction that might hinder your academic progress.”
“Explore its vast resources for academic purposes, and use them maximally for your knowledge enrichment. However, watch where the internet lures you. Avoid the dark side that lures to perdition,” she emphasised.
She also encouraged the students to not just acquire knowledge and skills from Kola Daisi University but “develop great character and values too, to never give up or lose sight of your vision. Pursue your passions, pursue your dreams, and focus on your goals.”