No few than 100 students of Senator Adetunji Adeleke Cooperative College, Ode-Omun, were on Friday taken an oath to formally begin their academic sojourn in the institution.
The ceremony formally welcomes new students into the academic community and mark the beginning of their academic studies for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The newly admitted students were the first set of the institution after the state government renovated and upgraded the college from the moribund state last year.
Recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke commissioned the rehabilitated Cooperative College, Ode-omu, December 11, 2024.
Addressing the matriculants after the oath-taking ceremony at the college hall, the Director of the college, Mr Elijah Babatunde, stated the readiness of the institution to adequately prepare the students for the highly competitive labour market.
He urged the matriculants to imbibe the spirit of commitment and pursuance of excellence, which according to him, is the major ideal of an academic environment.
Babatunde noted that the college has been upgraded to award Higher National Diploma in Cooperative Management and would soon be awarding Degree in Cooperative and allied courses in collaboration with Osun State University.
He pledged the readiness of the institution to propel the students to greatness by ensuring that they have the most conducive environment to learn and excel.
Babatunde added that the College has been dedicated to training the best for tomorrow with a seamless academic calendar, reputable standard and a niche for all round progress of all stakeholders especially, students.
The Director encouraged the students to follow the rules and regulations of the college and avoid exam malpractices. He warned the students to shun cultism or join illegal groups in the college, urging them to make good use of their time while staying in the institution.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe, said the development aligns with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive to transform the college into a degree-awarding institution in collaboration with Osun State University.
He stated that the college’s mission is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in cooperative management and related fields.
“The matriculation of these students marks a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering professional development in the cooperative sector”.
Ogungbangbe stressed that the initiative reflects the state’s dedication to enhancing educational opportunities and supporting the growth of cooperative societies through professional training and development.
He noted that the state government is steadfast in its commitment to supporting the institution and enhancing the cooperative ecosystem through progressive policies, funding opportunities and creation of a supportive infrastructure.
The commissioner urged the new students to embrace the opportunity to pursue their academics in order to make impact not only in their community but global economy.
Ogungbangbe admonished them to shun all acts capable of jeopardising their studentship, and tasked them to project the College greatly by being good ambassadors of the institution both offline and the global community.
