THE Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, has asked the new students of the university to shun cultism, drugs, malpractices and other vices while in the campus.

He admonished the new intakes to imbibe the biblical virtues of love for God, neighbour, kindness, accountability, honesty, integrity as well as respect for staff and fellow students.

Ayuba gave the advice during the matriculation of the university in Karu, Nasarawa State.

A total of 1,869 students from the over 9,000 applications received by the varsity took part in the exercise.

Ayuba said the students were spread across 15 faculties and 54 departments of the institution.

He said: ‘‘Today marks a significant milestone on your journey to becoming solution-providers, innovators, job-creators, policymakers, technocrats, as well as being salt and light to a dying world.”

He explained that the university received over 9,000 applications from qualified candidates, who sought to be admitted into various programmes but could not be shortlisted owing to reasons of quota allocation by regulatory bodies and their capacity to absorb all.

The VC said: “The university has grown in leaps and bounds with 15 faculties and 46 undergraduate and 58 postgraduate programmes. There are two campuses – Karu campus is the main campus while the Teaching Hospital is in Jos. We have a vibrant and enthusiastic staff with knowledge, expertise and experience in diverse fields.”

He, however, advised the students to always remember that their overall success requires daily, committed and sustained efforts and diligence.

He said: “Whether your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the final year will be 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 or 1.0 depends on how well you plan your life and how diligent you study. I look forward to signing your certificates in the next 3 to 4 years with many of you with first class or second class upper. Your time starts now! Make each day count.”

The guest speaker, Ass. Prof Joy Shuaibu, advised the students to set their goals on why they are in the university and break it into smaller parts to help them achieve them.

Admitting that being on campus is not going to be easy, she said whenever they feel like giving up, they should remember that their parents have made huge sacrifices to bring them to the university.