‘Greatness starts with education,’ Prof. Okalabama charges students’

 Nwoye Divine 100-level Linguistics
Both newly-admitted and old students of linguistics were advised to make hay while the sun shines and to make their studies their priority.

The head, Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian language, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Chibiko Okalabama made the charge while addressing the students at the orientation ceremony organized by the National Association of Linguistics Students (NALS) UNN for the newly-admitted students.

“Greatness starts with education; do not mind money, God has placed you on a pedestrian to greatness.”

The event which kick-started with the opening remarks by Prof. Okalabama was held at the final-year class of the department. The HOD welcomed the freshers and applauded their effort in making it into the department. He further advised students to make effective use of their time and take their studies seriously.
Dr. Enyinnaya Ikeokwu, NALS staff adviser, who administered the oath of allegiance emphasized the need for the newly admitted students to be devoted in order to be found worthy in character and learning. He added that time is paramount in their academic pursuit and urged them to be time conscious and restrain from distraction of social media platform.
The departmental academic adviser, Maazi Chuma Okeke, while lecturing on how to calculate grade point, directed the student to engage their time in reading their books.
Somtochukwu Nweke, NALS president, said that the freshmen “should balance their lives in these four areas of life, increase in knowledge, stature, in favour with God and man.”
Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said they were happy to be admitted into the Department.
Uduakobong Nkanang said she was happy because she had always wanted to study Linguistics in the university, adding that she saw the department as a big family cater for its student.
Richardmary Uzoma said the orientation was a wakeup call to work harder, adding that he had always dreamt to be in this citadel of academic excellence.
“I feel excited for been in the citadel of excellence and I will try my possible best to be work hard. I had always nursed the ambition to study linguistics, and I know that UNN would help me to actualize that dream,” he said.

Highlight of the occasion was award presentation to the outgoing executives of the association.