Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State, is presently admitting freshmen into courses in the college of medicine and the other seven faculties for the 2019/2020 Session. The university which is known for its serious mindedness is already running the registration of fresh students to enable them commence lectures immediately. In the same vein, the Students’ Affairs Unit recently used the opportunity to give students orientation to acquaint them properly with the university environment and system and prepare them to face challenges of university education.

Deputy Dean of Students’ affairs, Chiaka Nnodi, while welcoming the new students, thanked the university management for the opportunity to organize the program for the freshmen as it is important they have basic knowledge on how the university operates. She thanked the Vice-Chancellor for always putting the interest of the students first in all that is being done in the university. She urged students to pay attention and ensure they take note of all they would be taught and be ready to apply them during their stay in AE- FUNAI.


DVC, (Admin.) Prof. Philip Omoke, addressing the Students.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Admin) Professor Philip Omoke, who represented the Vice-Chancellor at the event, congratulated the freshmen for making it into the university out of 18,000 applicants for this session. “I am here representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba and he has asked me to tell you AE-FUNAI is a serious university, therefore take your studies seriously. Students leave here every year due to probation or withdrawal, which is caused by un-seriousness. Desist from cultism, stealing and exam malpractice as AE-FUNAI has zero tolerance for such acts” he pointed.

Prof. Omoke advised the freshmen to resist and report any person, students, or staff who attempts to take advantage of them, as such person may end up ruining them. He told them that lecturers are meant to act as their parents on campus and should not demand sex from them, urging them to develop themselves while on campus in order to be useful in the society. Prof. Omoke emphasized the importance of timely payment of fees and other levies and made sure to tell the students that books are only sold in the bookshop and not in classrooms by individual lecturers.


Mr. Vitalis Offor, presenting the Registrar’s Speech at the event.

The Registrar, Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs) represented by Mr. Vitalis Offor, introduced the university to the keenly attentive new students, starting from its establishment, Principal Officers, faculties, basic offices at their disposal, and registration points etc. Mr. Offor told the freshmen that every employee of the university is here to serve, teach and guide them, adding that AE-FUNAI has high and excellent relationship with students.


Prof. P. Ezeonu addressing the students.

The Provost College of Medicine, Professor Paul Ezeonu, took time to address students, noting that the college of medicine is a special place where one learns about the living, from the dead. He advised the students not to get carried away by the excitement of being in a university environment devoid of their parents or peers, as that could make them fall off the journey of academics. He said “It is wrong for parents to push you into studying medicine because you are making A’s in your result. Studying Medicine is a decision you must take personally to salvage humanity”.


Dr. Otu Otu Akanu, making his presentation.

Prof. Ezeonu pointed out that they are not expected to fail a single course, nor carry over any GST course. He charged them to be studious and avoid bringing shame upon their families. His parting words for the students were “Soar high like an eagle and perch on the mighty iroko tree so that people admire you and the tree you are perching on, do not be carried away”.


Engr. Dr. Ngozi Eli-Chukwu speaking at the event.

Director, ICT, Engr. Dr. Ngozi Eli-Chukwu was on ground to give the students step-by-step approach on how to make payments online, check results and also access hostel accommodations at the convenience of their homes. She pointed out that ICT is the vehicle that will take them to their destination during the four/five years of their stay on campus. She told them to ensure creating a student profile with the ICT as failure to do so means that the student does not exist in the university.

The students were richly entertained by the Nkwa Umuagbogho Afikpo cultural dance during the lunch break. Shortly after, Dr. Kelechi Ani, gave the students a lecture on academic issues they may experience, when they fail to focus on their studies including probation, withdrawal, rustication and expulsion. Dr. Ejike Igwebuike talked on the use of University library. Several other units; Security department, Counseling, Service delivery, gave detailed lecture on their responsibilities to students during the orientation.


Rev. Kelechi Okengwu, making presentation.

Reverend Kelechi Okengwu who came on special invitation to speak to the students on Campus Cultism exhaustively advised them to stay away from cultism as it is detrimental to them in all aspects of life. In his words;

I will be brutally honest with you, there are different cult groups with different

names and you need to be able to identify them so that you don’t join them.

You need to be careful with the friends you keep and the kind of places you expose

yourself to. The procedure for initiation into these groups expose you to deadly diseases

such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and several other deadly diseases caused by blood

exchange etc. And often times, being in the midst of these deadly people could

put your life at risk especially during cult clashes where you can be shot if seen

together with a cult member, remember also that if the university finds

out you are a member, they hand you over to the police authorities where

you rot in jail”.

Rev. Okengwu finally advised the students to be more devoted in the ways of God.

The Orientation came to an end with the presentation of Dean, Students’ affairs, Dr. Otu Otu Akanu with focus on depression and suicide, most trending topics amongst teenagers. He advised them to be strong willed and determined to face challenges as life in itself is not a bed of roses. Using himself as example, he shared the hardship he had to face in life as a young boy growing up and urged them to visit the counseling unit and discuss confidentially on issues bothering them to avoid bottling up emotional trauma or challenges they may be facing.


Cross section of Speakers and Students at the Orientation.