SHUN VICES, EMBRACE VIRTUES - UNIOSUN VC TELLS NIGERIAN YOUTHS, LAUDS CORPS MEMBER FOR ERECTING MONUMENT AT MAIN CAMPUS GATE

 

The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola has called on Nigerian youth to embrace virtues and shun vices, even as he lauded Miss Kevin Terri Din, an outgoing Batch B Stream 1 Corps member serving in the University for erecting a dazzling sculpture at the University's main campus gate.

Professor Popoola said this in a remark on Thursday, 9th November, 2017 when the officials of Osun State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  visited the University to formally unveil the monument. The expression “Shun Vices, Embrace Virtues” are the wise, sententious precept written on the huge marble block that bears the statue. The Vice-Chancellor, impressed by the beauty of the project and the wisdom in the apothegm, described the project as a novel idea, urging the youths to emulate Miss Kevin in developing the spirit of giving to society. He maintained that his admonition to shun vices  was not directed only to the youths but also pointing at every member of society including the old and the young as this would make us achieve a better humanity.

“She had this idea and she met us. We felt it was good. It is even enough; it is like sermon in the church or in the mosque. Even if everything is going on fine, people still need to be spoken to. This conveys an important message. We don’t want vices and the damage they have caused to our society. Our prayer and hope is that every one of us will shun vices and embrace virtues and this will serve the purpose of giving us a better humanity,” he added.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Osun State Coordinator of the NYSC Scheme, represented by the Head of Public Relations of the NYSC, Osun State, Mr. Jimmy Fatogun said the monument was an award winning project, adding that Miss Kevin had done what was expected of all corps members. He said: “The NYSC Scheme comprises four cardinal programmes: the orientation course; primary assignment; community development and the passing out. “Miss Din Kevin has done what is expected of all corps members and we are all here in recognition of the good work she has done. She would have won an award if she had completed the project at the time we were compiling names of best corps members for various award categories. But even at that, we are going to make a report on this remarkable project and by the grace of God, she would receive a commendation certificate from the NYSC.”

Miss Kevin, an indigene of Plateau State, is the first corps member to serve in the University as a Pharmacist. She served in the Health Centre, Osogbo Campus under the supervision of the Acting Director of the University Health Services. In her remarks, she appreciated  Vice-Chancellor and the entire management team for granting her an approval to embark on the project. “I m grateful to God Almighty for the idea. It was not my idea but God's. I was looking for the best approach to campaign and sensitize the students and the youths against social vices and keep them awake to their indispensable role on nation building. So, this idea came and I am happy that it is now a success. I want to appreciate the VC and the entire management team for giving me the approval to embark on the project,” she said.

Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Development, Professor Janet Olaitan; Acting Registrar, Mr. Adewale Adeosun; the University Librarian, Mr. Maxwell Oyinloye; the Acting Bursar, Mr. Mukaila Oyekanmi, the Director of Inter-Campus and Public Affairs, Professor Anthony Kola-Olusanya; Acting Director, University Health Services, Dr. A. O. Odeniyi; Assistant Registrar, Public Relations, Mr. Jibola Oyekunle and a Representative of the IMTC, Mr. Owolabi Ayesanmi.