Veritas University, Abuja

The management of Veritas University, Abuja has pronounced strict codes of conducts, which would position the students to have the right attitude to academics and university life. Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Justin Ukpong, who handed down the rules during the matriculation ceremony of its pioneer students,

held at the take-off campus in Obehie, Abia state, said “If you think that getting into a university is a way of escaping parental control, please understand that Veritas University is not for you because you may be running from frying pan into fire as our own control might be stronger than that of your parents." Ukpong said that there would not be allowed to go out of the campus and come in at will adding, “If you tell us that your parents want you at home for one thing or another, we will call them first to confirm before allowing you to travel.” He said students must have the right attitude towards the university and life generally in order for them to understand the “correct purpose for which a university exists and for which your parents have denied themselves many things to send you to a university.” The VC urged the matriculating students to work hard, he said one of the ideals of the institution was 'hard work', adding that it was not for those whose idea of a university was to get a degree by all means. On cultism, he said the university “is a cult and a drug-free family” and that such vices should not even be mentioned among the family members. “If you see any student attempting to engage in any of these things, you are bound to let the authorities know because every member of the family has a responsibility to guide and preserve the integrity of the family.” Ukpong said the institution would strive to maintain its uniqueness by producing high quality human capital for the nation, based on the basic principle of Catholic education, which sees education as a holistic formation of the human person.

From Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia, 12.23.2008