Yes, Matriculation!

It was the 40th Matriculation ceremony at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Due to the frenzy that followed that matriculation, I was sort of made to recall my own Matriculation in a previous post, though sketchy, I felt like asking few of the matriculating students, what matriculation meant to them.
For Chidindu, it means a dream come true; Chinagolu had previously attempted JAMB for four times, which means his mates are already out of the university and some out of the National Youth Service year. For him it meant a fulfillment of years of hard work, anxiety and dashed hope for each time he failed to cinch the admission to the university his hopes waned but this season is a season of hope and a call to duty and harder work.

The Adeze, it means an elevation to a higher ground, she has left some of her mates behind and are running alongside some while others are already ahead. However she is greatly thankful to God almighty who have finally given her her dream of becoming a student of the prestigious UNN.

For Chinenye, she is happy but not totally elated as she was not offered the choice of her choice which is pharmacy but she plans to run her course with so much determination so that she can confortably change to her choice department -pharmacy after the first year.

For me however I advice each to take the matriculation as a time of reflection and determination to do justice to the academic and moral call which is bestowed by this process as is seen in the University's announcement for the matriculation which goes thus:

"1.     General Information 

The 40th Matriculation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria will hold on Saturday, March 08,  2014 to admit freshmen formally to full membership of the University. All freshmen are expected to solemnly and publicly make a declaration of loyalty to the University of Nigeria on that day.

 The ceremony will take place in the various faculties at both the Nsukka and Enugu campuses of the University at 10.00a.m. 

Full participation in the ceremony is mandatory for all freshmen. It is also mandatory that every matriculated student who is fully cleared will sign the Matriculation Register. Any freshman who fails to participate in the ceremony loses the chance of being formally admitted into the University community. Consequently, he or she will be regarded as not having fulfilled the requirements for full studentship in the University. 

2.    Matriculating Students 

The following categories of students are required to matriculate: 

(i)    All regular freshmen and transfer students registered for first degree courses; 
(ii)    All regular fresh postgraduate students who are not graduates of the University of Nigeria;  
(iii)    Other regular undergraduates and postgraduate students in (i) and (ii) above who had not previously matriculated in the University of Nigeria. 

The following are not required to matriculate: 

(i)    Postgraduate students who are graduates of the University of Nigeria; 
(ii)    Freshmen who have not been fully cleared 
(iii)    Freshmen registered for diploma and certificate courses; 
(iv)    Occasional students. "

Gogo Paul-Onyia's Matric with Chinny Winny and myself (Ama Nnabueze)

Santhus Tochukwu with a friend during their matriculation at Enugu