Lagos State deputy governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has charged the new students of the University of Lagos, Akoka to stay away from social vices and be focused, self-disciplined.
Hamzat who gave the advice in his paper titled, “Preparing for Today to safeguard your future’s aspiration and goals” at the 2023/2024 Orientation and Matriculation Programme for Fresh UTME and Direct Entry Students held at the school campus in Akoka urged them to crave
for success and abstain from all forms of vices that may hinder their progress as they pursue their various programmes in the institution.
He said, “As you embark on the academic voyage, you should avoid
pitfalls first-year students often fall prey to, as it is easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges, distractions, and temptations to take shortcuts.”
Hamzat listed such pitfalls to include; spending too much time on social media, frequent skipping of classes; taking too many extracurricular activities, procrastination of registration and annual faculty clearance; projects and class assignments; failure to ask for aid from fellow students or even lecturers as the situation may call for such and attachment to wrong mindset they had in secondary school, amongst others.
The deputy governor therefore charged them to ensure that they understand the significance of preparing for today to safeguard the dreams they hold for tomorrow.
He stressed that there is a need for them to know that as they prepare for today, they are safeguarding the limitless possibilities that tomorrow holds and that their actions today set the stage for the realization of their future aspirations and goals.
The Deputy Governor said, “Today marks the commencement of a journey for each of you, one that intertwines present efforts with a tapestry of future aspirations and goals. Please note that, in the journey of life, our goals and aspirations serve as guiding stars, illuminating us towards a fulfilling and purposeful existence. For you to ensure that these dreams materialize, it is essential for you to adopt a proactive approach in preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”