UNIZIK Accountancy, Taxation Departments Task Freshers on Discipline, Integrity, Academic Responsibility

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

The Departments of Accountancy and Taxation, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, jointly inducted their Year One students in a ceremony marked by strong emphasis on discipline, integrity and a purposeful commitment to academic excellence.

The Head of Department, Accountancy, Prof. Onyinye Maria Regina Eneh, in her address, assured the students that their academic journey would be both rewarding and transformative if approached with the right mindset. She emphasized three core principles for success: making the right decisions, being patient with growth, and upholding integrity at all times.

According to her, many have walked the same corridors before them, but the distinguishing factor has always been consistency. She outlined practical pathways to academic breakthrough, including regular lecture attendance, studying ahead of lecturers, forming study groups, and asking questions before confusion becomes compounded. She cautioned that “all that glitters is not gold,” while expressing confidence that among the inductees were future auditors, accountants and financial leaders.

The B.Sc Taxation Programme Coordinator, Dr. Chitom John-Akamelu, encouraged the students to remain focused on the purpose that brought them into the University. She reminded them that parents and sponsors who invested resources in their education look forward to seeing them succeed. Urging them to avoid negative peer influence and waywardness, she stressed the importance of intentional study habits, smart group discussions and godly living.

She further advised them not to rely on examination malpractice but to embrace prayer, diligence and discipline as sustainable paths to success. “Every learner is a potential achiever,” she affirmed, while encouraging them to remain prayerful and appreciative of their sponsors.

In her welcome address, the Staff Adviser of the Accountancy department, Dr. Racheal Iliemena warmly received the freshers, describing them as the most cherished students at the moment. She reminded them that their admission into the University was for a defined academic purpose and that induction marks a transition into greater responsibility and commitment. Assuring them of her guidance and mentorship, she urged the students to speak up when confronted with challenges and to build relationships that would add value to their academic and professional journey. She noted that upholding the core values of the University is fundamental to true professionalism.

Delivering the induction lecture on the theme “Bridging Dreams with Discipline,” Mrs. Chiamaka Ezeogu charged the students to anchor their ambitions on discipline. She defined discipline as “doing what you need to do even when you do not feel like doing it,” stressing that academic excellence is impossible without structured commitment.

She identified key dimensions of discipline – academic, professional, ethical and personal, noting that discipline remains the bridge between dreams and achievement. Students, she said, must set clear priorities, take responsibility for building their future from now, and understand that excellence is a deliberate outcome.

The ceremony also featured the formal oath-taking and induction of the Year One students. The launching of the NUASA Magazine and the cutting of the induction cake added colour and symbolism to the event.