About 3,448 fresh students of the Federal University Of Kashere, (FUK) Gombe state have received a novel charge to shy away from cultism and accord due respect to the cultures of the community.
Professor Umaru A. Pate, Vice-Chancellor of the University gave the charge Friday in his speech during the matriculation ceremony of newly admitted students.
“Don’t involve yourselves in cultism, stay away from drugs and guard against gender-based violence or rape, avoid fake news and be critical in consuming information online and even offline.
“…Dignify your neighbours and colleagues and live decent lives to remain at peace with yourselves and the authorities, Always dress decently to maintain self-respect and uphold our demand for good behaviour”, said Professor Pate.
Professor Pate advised the students to be sensitive and respectful to the culture, norms and dignity of the host community and its people.
” As it is often said, respect begets respect. You should not, under any circumstances, get provoked to take the law into your hands or exhibit anti-social tendencies inimical to good neighbourliness and appropriate behaviour”, he added.
Professor Umaru said the institution, though young is growing tremendously in all ramifications.
“Without doubt, FUK is a young institution that is growing fast in terms of academic and physical development and, staff recruitment and students enrolment.
“Currently, we have five Faculties with 23 Departments offering 49-degree programmes, a school of postgraduate studies, a specialised centre for Maritime studies and many more”, he said.
According to him, the institution at the commencement of this academic session had obtained approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to the take-off of seven new degree programmes.
“Equally, we have commenced the process of establishing a College of Medical and Health Sciences to enable us to run degree programmes in Medicine, Nursing and the Health Sciences”, he added.
Professor Pate said the Management has approved the establishment of a scholarship support fund to aid disadvantaged undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University and neighbouring communities.