Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farooq has advised matriculating students of the Federal School of Social Work, Emene, Enugu to be focused and realise that what lies in front of them, is a tremendous opportunities and experiences that would define their experiences and set them on the path of professional, personal life and determine the direction of the rest of their lives.
The Minister who was speaking at the 2nd matriculation ceremony of the institution at the weekend in Emene, Enugu, encouraged the students to strive for excellence.
“Excellence does not come from spending 24hours a day in the library; nor does it come from spending 12hours a day on religious activities. Spending all your time on entertainment, devoting all your energies to organising other events will not lead to excellence”.
“As a student you will be well on the way to achieving excellence if you are able to strike the right balance between your academic, extra-curricular and social life”, the Minister noted.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq agreed that education comes with responsibilities and urged those who were opportune enough to be admitted at the federal school of social work, Emene to use their education for the benefit of others.
“The Ministry will continue to do her best to make your stay here as pleasant as possible”, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq said.
Earlier in an address, the Provost of the Federal School of Social Work Emene Enugu, Mr. Duru Oliver called and pleaded for a complementing efforts from all arms of government, stakeholders, corporate organisation and most especially, the Executive Governor of Enugu state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to assist in rehabilitating the access road leading to the Federal School of Social Work Emene.
Other areas that require support according to the Provost, include but not limited to the provision of standard e-library for proper learning and research, provision of 500/1000KVA generator to compliment power from the national grid and sinking of a motorized borehole in the school amongst others.
Mr. Duru Oliver however warned that failure to fulfill 75% attendance in class will mean the forfeiture of studentship in the school.
“The qualities of character expected from you include honesty, politeness, communal spirit, dedication, discipline, tolerance, perseverance, punctuality and regularity at lectures and the fear of God”, Oliver said.
As you may know, the Federal School of Social Work, Emene Enugu, was established in 1983 to offer a 2-year National Diploma programme in Social Development and charged with the responsibility of providing well equipped, trained and groomed social work practitioners in Nigeria and environs.
The Federal School of Social Work Emene, Enugu, (the only school of social work in the whole of Nigeria and West Africa) was previously under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs but now under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development since its establishment in August 2019.
Dominica Nwabufo
