Cultism Is Evil, Students told

Fresh students of the University have been advised not to touch cultism even with a long pole. This was the thread that ran through the admonition given to the new students by Oba David Olateru-Olagbegi, the Olowo of Owo; Oba Kofoworola Aruliwo 111, Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu Owo and Oba J. F Okikiola, Alale of Idasen;  and Mr Adeola Fagbayibo, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Owo Local Government; and Dr. S. A. Omotoso, Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo when the students, led by Reverend Bayo Oladimeji, Director, Student Affairs, paid courtesy calls on them as part of orientation activities for the new students.

Although Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, who is also the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, was holding a meeting in his place, he sent High Chief Olusola Ogunleye, Olubola of Owo, to receive the students.  Delivering Oba Olateru-Olagbegi’s message, the new students were advised to face their studies, “which is your real mission”, and grow up to be among the great leaders of the nation.

 At the Ojomo Oluda’s palace, Chief Aladenusi Aruwajoye stood in for Oba Aruliwo, who was out of town. He told the students to be guided by their Bible and Quran and be careful with the friends they keep. He, however, urged them to be their “brother’s keeper”. 

Oba Okikiola, Alale of Idasen, poured royal blessing on the students and wished them a happy stay in his domain. He said the Idasen community, the University’s host community, abhors cultism in any form. According to him, “here, cultism is a taboo”, and there is serious percussion for those who dare.

The message at the Owo Local Government Secretariat was the same: the need to avoid cultism. Mr. Oluwatobi Olukoju, Head of Personnel Management of the Council, who received the new students, advised them not to allow themselves to be co-opted because “whatever a man sows he shall reap”.

Guided by Mr. D. O. Olatigbe, Principal Administrative Officer, the students were also toured nearly all the departments of FMC such as Medical Records,  GOPD/Casualty, Dental Services, Physiotherapy, Ortho & Trauma Complex, Renal Department, the Mortuary and the Admin Block, among others. At the end of the exhaustive exercise, the students were treated to some refreshment after which Dr. Omotoso met with them.   Although he wished the freshers “minimum of problems, he assured them of the Centre’s readiness to offer them first-class medical services whenever the need arose. He prayed for a successful stay in the University and that they would be “great achievers”.