The University of Ilorin on Monday matriculated only 7,098 under-graduates out of 64,121 candidates who obtained 200 scores and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and applied to the institution for admission for the 2012/2013 session.

The 7,098 matriculated students represent 11.10 per cent of admission seekers with 200 scores and above in UTME and 16.18 per cent of candidates that sat for Post-UTME test.

UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, during the matriculation ceremony in Ilorin on Monday, also said that 43,871 candidates applied and sat for the Post-UTME representing 68.42 per cent of the 64,121 candidates who applied for admission with 200 scores and above in UTME test.

He also said that 23,871 candidates passed the post-UTME.

These figures, according to him, represented 54.41 per cent of the candidates that sat for the test. Ambali stated that out of 8,093 candidates which is 18.45 per cent of those that sat for the post-UTME test that were offered admission, 7,098 registered and matriculated.

He also said that the Senate of UNILORIN last Thursday, January 10, approved the establishment of more faculties and the splitting of some departments.

Our correspondent learnt that the new programmes will come on stream from the 2013/2014 academic session.

The arrangements include the Faculty of Environmental Sciences with the following departments: Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Estate Management; Urban and Regional Planning as well as Surveying and Geo-Informatics.

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences was split into the Faculty of Management Sciences, comprising the department of Accounting and Finance; Business Administration and Marketing.

The second faculty is Social Sciences, comprising the Departments of Economics, Geography and Environmental Management, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

The Senate also approved the splitting of the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education into departments of Arts Education and Social Sciences.

The Departments of Science Education was split into Science Education and the Educational Technology departments.

The seven academic departments of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were increased to ten in line with the guidelines of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission.

Also the University Biological Garden was split into UNILORIN zoo and UNILORIN Botanic Garden with immediate effect.

He charged the students to be conscientious with their studies, adding that there is no short cut to success in the varsity.

According to him, students' achievement in UNILORIN is directly proportionate to their efforts. He also advised the students to be prayerful and hardworking.

The VC also charged the students to abide by the institution's rules and regulations, adding that their suitability to belong to the institution depended on their character and in their knowledge.

"It will be a shame if you are found to be defective in character and unsuitable in learning, two major factors that make students 'exit' before the completion of their courses.

"Remember that like others before you, your time is limited and the next three, four, five or six years, depending on your programmes, will determine your future. Work hard, read wide; pray much, dress well, do well and lead a healthy lifestyle.

"A healthy lifestyle means doing what you can to keep your body and mind in optimum condition. Five ways of leading it are for you to exercise each day, choose water as a drink; eat more fruits and vegetables; eat fewer junk food and avoid illicit pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships," Ambali said.

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