Worthy in Character and in Learning: Are we missing something?

By Richard Peters

An Institution of higher learning is a place where people are moulded to become models that society would look up to. That's why during every graduation ceremony, particularly before students receive scroll of honour and are pronounced “graduates”, the Registrar will invoke what could be regarded as academic ethos, saying, “the persons standing have been found worthy both in character and in learning to be admitted to the degree of this institution.” From this phrase, character and learning are the two major constituents of a degree a graduate parades as a symbol of academic training. Remember, character comes first before learning.

It is therefore expected that those who are in higher institutions should lead lives worthy of emulation.

However, instances abound where some students neglect this essential aspects of their studentship and go morally berserk, dragging the name of their Ivory Towers to the mud. But some institutions that know the essence of academics have in many cases rose up to avenge such moral offences perpetuated by some of their students.

Recently, what played out in Akwa Ibom State University where the institution suspended her student over an insulting Facebook post he made against the Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, has taken center stage. While some have condemned the institution for suspending the student, others have commended the school for being proactive to defend its name.This post is not to either praise the management of AKSU or condemn same, but to address another salient issue that is trending.

We live in a society where leaders, especially political leaders are blamed for almost everything. From a fire incident in a private home in far away Eastern Obolo to flooding in a remote village in Use Ikot Amama, the governor would be blamed. It's unthinkable that government shouldn't be blamed for some things, but should the Government be blamed for everything?

Some people have dragged Gov. Udom Emmanuel's name to the incident at AKSU, alleging that the governor has a hand in the suspension of the student. This is laughable. There are severe cases where people rain insults and abuses on the person of the governor, yet he never bothered about such. He won't even lose sleep over it, let alone mention it and at the same time dignify it. He is that modest. He is focused on delivering his mandate to the people. 

Gov. Udom Emmanuel is one man that doesn't take criticism very personally. He hardly respond to attacks on his person, because of his understanding of his role as a governor and father of all Akwa sons and daughters.

One fact that everyone must know is that education is purely administrative affairs. Decisions are not taken haphazardly or to impress anybody or organization. It's unbelievable that people considered to be learned would stoop so low to accuse Gov. Emmanuel of meddling with the affairs of AKSU, and in an inconsequential matter as criticism from a student. Of what use is the suspension of the student to Gov. Emmanuel or the state government?

Gov. Emmanuel  go to AKSU as a visitor during special events. His presence there is on official capacity, and can never have interest in such matters when there are major state matters desiring his attention, especially at a time like this.

Gov. Emmanuel is a great disciplinarian who knows where to draw the line. He believes in separation of powers, and has never been heard of trying to use his position to influence certain outcomes, even when they are within his power to do so.

He has worked in financial institutions for years, and rose to the top echelon in the sector, overseeing branches within and outside the shores of Nigeria. It has never been reported that he was involved in sharp practices.

Everyone knows that if there's any suspicion of fraud by any staff of a financial institution, the person's new home would be behind bars. And till date, there's no trace of fraudulent activity linked to Gov. Emmanuel.

He has equally brought such spirit of financial discipline to bear in the discharge of his duties as a governor. There's no place that believes in delegation of duties as a corporate organization like the bank. The same modus operandi is what is guiding the governor, and so there's no reason why he should even be mentioned in the suspension saga.

Methink that the public should allow the school authority do what they feel is right. The said student by all indication is the primary public of AKSU and the institution have laid down rules for handling cases of this nature. 

It is not the first institution to have suspended its students and would never be the last. It's on record that some schools even suspended their students for involving in the just concluded EndSARS protests, and heaven did not fall.

Let us be guided accordingly and stop blaming the government for everything. Some times, citizens do err.