Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE matriculated 1,767 students admitted through the UTME and Direct Entry programmes conducted by JAMB in the 2016/2017 academic session.

Students have been charged to make reading a hobby.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele gave the charge during the eight matriculation ceremony of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor who pointed out that knowledge is in books and rules the world, encouraged the students to start laying the foundation to win the one million naira cash prize instituted by Senate for the overall best graduating student.

He congratulated the students for choosing IAUE for their higher education and warned that the university has a zero tolerance policy for cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing and other anti-social vices.

He informed them that the university has been adjudged the most peaceful campus in the south south and urged them not to allow themselves to become destructive tools to destabilize the peace and academic calendar of the university.

He also warned them not to bring heartbreaking news of rustication, expulsion, imprisonment, undue harm and unexpected death to their parents who are making sacrifices to ensure that they are educated for a better future and who expect them to return with degrees and certificates at the end of their studies.

The Vice-Chancellor who highlighted some of his humble achievements expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his people oriented policies and programmes that have earned him the name “Mr Projects” and for his developmental strides in the education sector.

He thanked the honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku for his love and interest to see that the name of the university is changed to accommodate some other programmes outside mainstream and for his intervention in a recent development that would have rocked the relative peace in the university.

He equally commended the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Dr Farah Dagogo and his team for their unreserved commitment to the development of the university.

Professor Ndimele appreciated the students who on community service beautified the campus by painting the university fence, hostels, and other places with the “Made in Ignatius Ajuru University paint”, adding that the enthusiasm, zeal and excitement exhibited during the exercise clearly demonstrated that there is indeed dignity in labour and that self help efforts can be rewarding.

He thanked parents and guardians for their presence and prayed God to grant and favour them as they continue to shoulder the noble task of providing sound education for their children and wards despite the harsh economic realities of the time.

Three thousand , seventy eight students were admitted but only a total of one thousand, seven hundred and sixty seven students who scaled through the various screening stages and satisfied all admission requirements to pursue degree programmes of the university matriculated.