The newly elected Student Union Government officials of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike have been sworn in, with a charge for them to join hands with the present University Management to ensure that their fellow students achieve academic excellence in this citadel of learning.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Hilary Edeoga who assured them of his support, advised them to take their academic pursuit seriously as this remains their primary goal in the MOUAU.

Prof. Edeoga who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E.N.T. Akobundu reiterated that the present Management has zero tolerance for all acts of indiscipline including examination malpractices, cultism, gangsterism, indecent dressing and so on and urged the new SUG officials to fight against all acts that run contrary to the rules and regulations governing their studentship.

The Dean Students Affairs, Dr. Sam Ogbonnaya in his welcome address advised the new SUG officials to concentrate on identifying and addressing the welfare needs of their fellow students and reminded them on the importance of respecting and adopting the students’ union constitution in all they do.

Dr. Ogbonnaya appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hilary Edeoga for distinguishing himself in addressing students and students’ union problems with all his strength and might, stressing that he has entrenched probity, sincerity and fair play in students’ union life.

Adding his voice, the immediate past SUG President, Comrade Kingsley Nwakama called on the new SUG officials to make students welfare paramount in their plans and advised them to join hands with the present University Management under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hilary Edeoga to ensure that MOUAU known for its peaceful nature remains so.

In his vote of thanks cum inaugural speech, the new SUG President Comrade Sampson Igbokwe thanked the University Management for giving the students the opportunity to choose their leaders and appreciated the Dean, Student Affairs for ensuring a free and fair election.

Comrade Igbokwe disclosed that his government will remain committed to protecting the rights and dignity of students and promised that the new SUG will co-operate with the University Management to realize its developmental goals as well as ensure that peace reigns in MOUAU.

The event which featured the administration of the oath of allegiance to the SUG & SRC officials by Chief Magistrate O. K. Onuma. He admonished them to be exemplary in their conduct as SUG officials stressing that oaths are sacred and must be kept. Chief Magistrate Onuma warned them of the consequences of not keeping to the oath they have sworn to and wished them a successful tenure.