The Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Emmanuel Wonah, while addressing the matriculating students, charged them to be good ambassadors of the Institution.
Wonah commended the institute for increasing the courses available at the undergraduate level from 11 to 28.
“This is indeed very commendable,” he said, adding that as a premier hybrid institution in Nigeria, it concurrently runs both polytechnic and university systems.
“This makes you, the students, very unique in your training,” he said.
Wonah told the students that they are expected to be better than students from other contemporary universities, who, unlike them, do not have the benefit of theoretical and practical training.
He enjoined the students to remember their major reason for being in the institution, saying that it was to read, study, make good grades and be good ambassadors of their homes, school and the nation.
He urged them that while not losing sight of their academic goals, they should also have an active social life with their fellow students.
“You have sworn an oath of allegiance to remain committed and disciplined all through your period of study here.
“I, therefore, urge you all to look carefully at the contents of the oath in your spare time.
“Those words are binding, hence, you must be careful not to breach any aspect of the oath, which may lead to your suspension or expulsion.”
Wonah appreciated the AFIT commandant and the staff for their relentless effort towards providing an enabling environment for students to achieve a successful academic and career path.
Earlier, the AFIT Commandant, AVM Paul Jemitola, said this was the institution’s 6th joint matriculation ceremony for National Diploma and Degree Programmes.
Jemitola said the occasion marked the official and statutory admission of qualified and deserving students into institutions of higher learning.
According to him, AFIT occupied a very unique position in Nigeria as the only hybrid higher institution offering a blend of University, Polytechnic, and Military programmes.
The commandant said that the institution was under the supervision of NUC, NBTE and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.
“As we conduct your joint matriculation into the Institute today, may I remind you that you are fortunate to be in a place where emphasis is placed on both research and technical knowledge.”
He told the students to remember that certificates are awarded based on learning and character, therefore, they must find a balance between their academic, social and emotional lives in order not to lose sight of their goals.
“On our part, the Institute will continue to focus on her pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, service to society, well-being of staff and students.”
He advised the students to show respect to the staff and their fellow students in order to make their stay fruitful and productive.
“We are working tirelessly to provide more facilities to make your stay in school pleasurable.
“You are reminded that the oath you have taken today is for allegiance to the institute, obedience to the commandant, and all those in authority over you and to be of good conduct throughout your stay in the Institute.
“Be warned that a breach of the oath taken today will attract appropriate sanctions,” Jemitola said.
The commandant prayed that God Almighty would watch over all the students, and make them a source of pride to their families, states, country and humanity.
Also, the Provost of the Institute, Prof. Mohammed Dauda, said that AFIT was established for the purpose of generating, disseminating and applying knowledge through conduct of research, training and result-oriented utilisation of innovative research findings.
He added that these enhanced roles and objectives conferred considerable potential on AFIT to contribute strategically towards technological development of the Nigerian Air Force specifically and the country in general.
NAN
