THE GRAND WELCOMING OF LIONS AND LIONESSES TO THE DEN

Hello dear highly esteemed kingdom minded and success driven friends. I won't bother asking, because I believe that you have been living as worthy kingdom ambassadors and impacting the world around you positively by exhibiting the characters of the kingdom minded, such as being slow to anger, and even when provoked, properly managing it through the help of the Holy Spirit to avoid doing anything that is unpleasant to God. I'd rather ask: what has your experience been trying to live in obedience to the tenets of the Bible? Has it been challenging or a jolly ride? Have you been in a situation where you had to encourage someone who found the going tough or were you the one who needed such encouragement? What was/were your response(s) to the situation(s)? As usual, I implore you to share your answers with us. Remember that sharing your experiences does not only help you to document your experiences, but equally helps you to have a reference bank that you can go to from time to time. Beyond these, it equally helps us here on this platform because we learn from such benevolent sharing. 

Away from that now. Let me ask: What went on in your mind when you read the caption? Did you think of a jungle party or the addition of some lions to a particular pack in a zoo or animal park? Or did you think of a folktale about the animal kingdom? Well, whatever the thoughts you had while reading, I implore you to read further to understand what it is. 

Moving from one level or class to another is usually very exciting. For those of us in school, some really exciting moments were moving from nursery school to primary and from primary to secondary school. Another really exciting moment in the life of a student is the period of transitioning from secondary school to the university. When students gain admission into the university, their joy is made complete when they are officially matriculated. Hence, matriculation is an event every first year student in a University looks forward to. It is at this event that the freshers (as they are fondly called by others in the university environment) are officially welcomed into the university.

 The same feeling was in the air at the den (this is the term used to describe the University of Nigeria, Nsukka by its staff and students) as the freshers of the 2024/2025 academic session prepared for their matriculation ceremony. Many of them went shopping for new clothes, shoes and many other items. Parents, friends and well wishers also spent time making preparations and sending out invitations to friends of their families. 

On the D-day, the various venues for the matriculation of the students of various faculties were agog, the matriculants, their families and friends, as well as their faculty officers and deans occupied the halls. 

At the venue for the matriculation of the department of Medicine students, the same was the case. After the procession and singing of the national and school anthems respectively, the students were exhorted from the book of John 15:1-7 on being attached to Jesus the true vine and remaining in Him. They were charged to bear good fruits as they start their journey in the University, despite the challenges and temptations they would face. 

The students were also addressed on issues of the university. They were informed that the philosophy of the school is: "To seek the truth, To teach the truth, To preserve the truth and to restore the dignity of Man" out of which the latter was eventually adopted as the school's motto. They were encouraged to be inclined with the philosophy by upholding the truth in all their endeavours and to desist from all forms of negative norms in the society ranging from cultism, immoral dressing and attitudes to internet ills. 

Furthermore, after being congratulated once more for being admitted into the first indigenous university in Nigeria to study Medicine and Surgery, some of the great feats of old students of the department were used to urge them to strive for ecxellence. These great feats include the successful cardiac surgery in Africa and the first surgery on Siamese twins which were both conducted at the University's Teaching Hospital.

An alumnus of the school and department, who coincidentally happened to be a parent of one of the matriculants spoke to them too, charging them to put in their best efforts. He informed them that the field of medicine is not an easy path to tour but with hard work,  dedication and commitment they could succeed beyond even they the pedecessors. 

The matriculants, after declaring their loyalty were officially welcomed to the department of Medicine, faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka by the Acting Vice-chancellor, the Dean of Students Affairs, the faculty dean and officer, as well as other high ranking staff of the school. 

The program was drawn to a close and parents, friends and well wishers who were invited went on to continue the celebration. 

To you esteemed reader, have you witnessed any such ceremony or have you heard of any?  Was it similar to the one above or were there differences? Please do well to share with us either your experience or that of someone close to you. 

Till I come your way again, keep being kingdom minded and success driven worthy ambassadors of the kingdom. 

Nnabugwu Chinaza, 

Anchor/Host