By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The Continuing Education Programme (CEP), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Friday, 7th March, 2025 held her one-day orientation programme for fresh CEP Students for the 2024-2025 academic session.

The orientation programme held at the University Auditorium was aimed at enlightening and inundating the new students about the CEP programme, what is expected from them in the course of their stay in UNIZIK and also processes that will ensure they will be in good academic standings in order to graduate with good grades.

Declaring the event open during his address, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu stated that the institution took pains in organizing the programme so as to familiarize the new entrants with the University environment in which they will study, with a view to easing their passage through the ivory tower.

Prof. Ikechebelu who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (SAVC) on General Duties, Prof. Au. Nonyelu disclosed that his short term vision for the institution tagged 'BLESSeD UNIZIK' is to Beautify UNIZIK; Light-Up UNIZIK; to have an Excellent UNIZIK; Safe and Secure UNIZIK and to Digitize UNIZIK.

Prof. Ikechebelu informed that as bona fide students of the University, they will be exposed to the same curricula in their various disciplines just like the regular full-time students and are bound by the same academic regulations. The Chief Executive of the institution stated that the only difference is in the mode of study which is part-time for the CEP during weekends and longer period while the regular students study full time. 

The Acting Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the format of the certificate issued to regular and CEP graduates are same for both programmes. The institution's Chief Executive highlighted the responsibility of students as payment of fees, attendance to lectures and eschewing negative practices such as examination misconduct, certificate forgery and cultism.

In his remarks and lecture titled, 'I and my academics', the Director of CEP, Professor Okenwa Cyprian Ogbodo congratulated the newly admitted CEP students. Prof. Ogbodo informed the students that the CEP programme is a five-year programme for students who came in with their 'O' level certificate while direct entry students will have a gestation period of four year in the ivory tower.

Prof. Ogbodo averred that the orientation is necessary to build their minds with a view to building them academically, socially and mentally towards graduating with good grades. The CEP Director posited that the CEP which this session attained 35 years of existence has close to 1500 students admitted in the current session. The scholar disclosed that the current administration under the leadership of Prof. Ikechebelu has given the nod for erecting of a legacy CEP administrative building with the foundation stone laying ceremony to be performed during the upcoming convocation ceremony.

Delivering her lecture on the topic, 'Academic Regulations of the University', the SAVC on Academic Matters and Chairman CEP Board, Prof. Ada Sam-Omenyi stated that the institution is founded on the philosophy that knowledge should be propagated and disseminated to all without hindrance and that teaching and research would be focused on primarily providing the needs of the Nigerian society and mankind in general. The scholar gave insights on admission processes, deferment of admission, course credit system and examinations.

In his lecture on the topic, 'Students' Affairs and Behaviour' delivered by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Makodi Biereenu-Nnabugwu emphasized that the Student Affairs Department is established to attend to the welfare of the students of the institution. Prof. Biereenu-Nnabugwu highlighted some of the services offered by the Student Affairs Department which includes Orientation for fresh students, hostel management and accommodation for students, supervision of associations and supervision of Students Union Government (SUG). 

The institution's Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ifeerika Igwe while speaking on the topic, 'Health Issues and Facilities in the University Medical Centre', affirmed that the University has put in place a very functional medical service that is available twenty four hours of the day for provision of services while clinical services runs from the official working hours of 8am to 4pm. The top medic who was represented by Dr. Chiazo Anyachebelu encouraged the students to leverage on these services during their stay in the university while disclosing that the only requirement in accessing the free medical services is evidence of tuition fees payment and valid student's identity card.

In a vote of thanks, the National President, Union of Anambra State Students, Comrade Felix Nwachinemelum eulogized the Director of CEP and his team for the enlightenment programme for the fresh students. He called on the students to ensure they abide by the rules made by the institution and study hard to graduate within the stipulated time and with good grades.

Other lectures delivered by members of the University Management and principal officers of the institution were on Administrative Structure and Channels of Communications by the University's Acting Registrar, Mr. Victor Modebelu represented by the Dr. Blessing Ezeobi (Deputy Registrar I, Personnel Unit); Use of Library and E-Library Resources by the University Librarian, Prof. Stella Ngozi Anasi; Financial Guidelines for Students delivered by the University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu represented by the Deputy Bursar (Student Accounts), Alex Anene, Esq.

There were lectures also on Entrepreneurship by the Director of Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (COCES), Prof. Ifeoma Enweani Nwokelo represented by the Deputy Director I, Dr. Taiwo Abdullahi Olabisi; Security Issues in and around the University by the Chief Safety Officer, Chief Ken Chukwurah and Matters regarding Sexual Harassment in the institution by the Chairperson, UNIZIK Committee on Sexual Harassment, Dr. Nneka Umeejiaku.

Other highlights of the orientation programme was interaction with the students and scholars who presented their lectures using the orientation programme.