The Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman has charged pioneer students of the Faculty of Law to embrace discipline, innovation and academic excellence.

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Mohammed Salihu Niworu gave the charge during an orientation ceremony organised for the first set of Law students at the Faculty of Law Main Theatre, describing the event as a historic milestone in the life of the Institution.

According to him, the ceremony marked the formal introduction of the pioneer students to the values, culture, ethics and discipline required in the legal profession, as well as the academic standards of the University.

He urged the students to make wise and judicious use of their years of study to achieve their personal and professional goals, noting that IBB University remains a Centre of intellectual freedom, scholarship and the relentless search for truth.

“You have the opportunity to determine the direction and tempo of your story. While you are here, you must learn new things, acquire knowledge, develop skills and enhance your personal attributes that will prepare you for life after the university,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor cautioned the students against social vices and actions capable of bringing the University into disrepute, advising them to conduct themselves responsibly both on campus and on social media platforms.

He also assured the students of the Management’s commitment to their welfare and academic development, stressing that members of staff were readily available to support them in their quest for knowledge.

Earlier, the Pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Abdulmumini Bala Ahmed, in his keynote address titled “Building a Tradition of Excellence, Integrity and Professionalism,” described the orientation as a historic moment not only for the University, but also for legal education in Niger State.

Professor Ahmed explained that the establishment of the Faculty of Law was the outcome of years of planning and institutional commitment, adding that the approvals by the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education confirmed the Faculty’s readiness to train competent and ethical lawyers.

He described the pioneer students as foundation stones and torchbearers whose conduct would shape the future reputation of the Faculty.

The Dean outlined key ethical standards expected of the students, including academic honesty, professional dressing, punctuality, respect for authority, decent use of language and zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse and sexual harassment.

He emphasized that the Faculty’s dress code remains compulsory and non-negotiable, stressing that students must appear in corporate or formal attire within the Faculty premises.

In his welcome address, the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Abubakar Sadeeq Gudugi, congratulated the students on their admission and urged them to be disciplined, focused and law-abiding ambassadors of the University.

Professor Gudugi advised the students to take full advantage of campus facilities and support services while maintaining cordial relationships with staff and fellow students.

In separate goodwill messages, the representative of the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, Justice Idris Evuti and Barrister Muhammad Ndayako commended the University Management for establishing the Faculty of Law and expanding access to legal education in the State.

They encouraged the pioneer students to uphold justice, integrity and professionalism, noting that the legal profession requires dedication to ethical conduct and service to humanity.

The orientation ceremony was attended by Principal Officers of the University, academic and non-teaching staff, traditional representatives, members of the legal profession and students, marking the formal commencement of academic activities for the pioneer Law students in the Institution.

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and Ahmadu Bello University are considering the beginning academic collaboration visits among their students to enhance excellence.

The Vice Chancellor of IBB University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman made this known when he received members Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Faculty of Veterinary Medicine who were on a felicitations visit after his appointment.

The Vice Chancellor said such move would make students of like minds to exchange ideas for self development that of the nation.

Professor Sulaiman expressed delight for the visit by his colleagues and described it as beginning of a stronger relationship between the University and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in ABU.

He stressed that most of the systems in Zaria are replicated in IBBUL, hence the expected partnership.

He maintained further that IBBUL was always in handshake with ABU and working ascidously to admit international students as part of its strategic plan.

“So far we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between us and University of Hubei in China on forensic medicine,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Professor Muhammad Umar Kawu who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to the Almighty for the choice of Professor Hadi as the the sixth substantive Vice Chancellor of IBBUL and prayed for his success with the hope of leaving a legacy after his tenure.

He said even though their visit has taken a longer time, the spirit behind it matters most.

Also speaking, the Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Sani Adamu said their visit was to in solidarity with Professor Hadi and the entire IBB University community.

He advised the Vice Chancellor to always bear in mind that the appointment would not be a bed of roses, but with patience and resilience, success will surely be achieved.

Appreciating the delegation, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki said the visit will serve as an energiser, not only to the Vice Chancellor , but the entire University Management team.

He stressed that all the messages in the various advice given were noted.

The Niger State Government has inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Committee to work with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in resolving the critical gaps observed during the recent pre-clinical and advisory accreditation exercise conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The Committee’s mandate is to conduct a post-mortem analysis of all observations raised by the MDCN team and guide the state towards full compliance with Medical Education standards.

The Committee drawn from the Ministries of Health, Tertiary Education and Works, as well as State Bureau of Public Procurement and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai paid a courtesy visit on the University Management to initiate coordinated action on the gaps identified by MDCN.

The visit underscored the government’s urgency in addressing issues that directly affect the accreditation status of the College of Health Sciences of the University.

Chaired by the Managing Director of Niger State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Umaru Isah, the Committee is tasked with engaging stakeholders across health, education, procurement and infrastructure sectors.

It is expected to study the MDCN evaluation report, harmonize expert opinions and recommend both immediate, medium and long-term interventions and to submit a detailed report to the Governor within three weeks.

Welcoming the team on behalf of the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Salihu Mohammed Niworu described the State Government swift intervention as timely and strategic.

He said the MDCN’s report provided honest and professional feedback needed to strengthen the University’s Medical programme.

Professor Niworu stated that the University had already begun internal reviews of the observed gaps, particularly in infrastructure, staffing and laboratory development.

He assured the Committee of the Management’s full cooperation, stressing that the Institution is committed to meeting regulatory standards and building a Medical School that can compete with leading institutions nationwide.

It would be recalled that the MDCN delegation, led by Professor Idris Muhammad of Bayero University Kano, had spent 48 hours on campus assessing facilities, academic structures and compliance readiness for a full Medical programme.

The team made some observations that must be addressed before its revisit in the next six months.

These findings now form the basis of the Inter-ministerial Committee’s assignment.