BIU Holds First Chapel Service To Commence New Academic Session
It is no longer news that the 2015/1016 academic session has commenced as life on campus is back with the arrival of freshmen and women who have just began a new journey in their lives, leaving the comfort and confines of their parents to a world of their own.
It was not difficult telling whom they were as they made their way into one of Africa’s most prestigious citadel of learning, Benson Idahosa University. They all have one thing in common; to achieve their dreams in a world class academic institution. A large number of them looked naïve, seeking for direction and exchanging pleasantries with everyone they came in contact with as they throng their way to various offices to complete their registration processes.
They had barely settled down when the announcement came, requesting all freshmen and women as well as returning students to attend the compulsory General Friday Chapel Service designed for both staff and students. It was the first Chapel Service to usher in the grace of God into the new academic session. The chapel service began with hot praise and worship session by the BIU Choir after which the preacher for the day mounted the podium amid applause and cheers. It was the Campus Life Boss, Rev. Laurie Idahosa.
Welcoming all with special recognition to the new arrivals on campus- freshmen and women, the preacher reiterated “Excellent Student Experience (#ESE)” as theme for the new academic session, while speaking on the topic, “How to Start Right with the word DARE”. She identified the letter ‘D’= AS Direction, ‘A’=Association, ‘R’=Right foundation and ‘E’=Excellence as four principles upon which students should build their academic life, while speaking on the need for the students to have their vision directed towards their academic goals.
Reading from Proverbs 18 and Titus 2:7, the Campus Life Director enjoined the students especially the freshmen and women to be models of good works, show integrity and dignity, noting that if they as students hold unto the principles highlighted, their academic life will be exceptional.
Special prayers were then offered for the new intakes and all present by the President of the institution, Bishop F.E. Benson Idahosa.
Also in attendance at the service was the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B.Izevbigie, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia and other Principal Officers, Deans and Directors of the institution.