UNIZIK Inducts Pioneer Logistics Students, Charges Freshers on Character, Excellence, Professional Identity

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

History was made at the CIBN Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as the Faculty of Management Sciences formally inducted the 2025/2026 cohort of B.Sc. students in Logistics and Supply Chain Management alongside their counterparts in Marketing.

The maiden induction and oath-taking ceremony, organized by the National Association of Marketing Students (NAMS) and the National Association of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Students, signaled a defining moment for the pioneer students of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme.

In his keynote address titled “Ensuring Quality in Character and Learning,” the Coordinator of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Programme, Prof. Promise Chika Oparah, described the event as a pivotal step in reclaiming the rightful prominence of Marketing and its specialist disciplines in Nigeria.

He traced the historical marginalization of the Marketing profession, noting that for years, opportunities meant for marketing graduates were often occupied by other disciplines, thereby undermining its professional identity. The creation of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme, he explained, was a deliberate response to this gap, focusing on the “Place” (Distribution) component of the marketing mix and equipping students with specialist competencies in supply chain management, procurement, warehousing, transport management, and sourcing.

Addressing the newly inducted students, whom he described as pioneer pathfinders, Prof. Oparah reassured them that they were in the right discipline at the right time. He emphasized that beyond certificates, the programme is designed to produce employable, competent and ethically grounded professionals.

“We must ensure quality not only in learning but in character,” he stated, stressing the need for discipline, regular lecture attendance, academic integrity and respect for institutional regulations. He reinforced the University’s zero tolerance for cultism and examination malpractice, urging students to uphold the oath earlier taken during matriculation and remain worthy ambassadors of the department and the University. He further disclosed plans to strengthen career coaching, counselling support and departmental mechanisms to address issues such as sexual harassment and student welfare.

Earlier in his remarks, the Staff Adviser, Dr. Lawrence Okeke, cautioned the students against social vices and encouraged them to build healthy relationships with lecturers and departmental authorities. He emphasized decent dressing, departmental identity and professional pride as integral parts of their formation.

In her remarks, the Head of Department of Marketing, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Oranusi, charged the newly inducted students to be of exemplary conduct throughout their academic journey. She urged them to strictly adhere to the extant rules and regulations of the University, emphasizing that discipline, respect for constituted authority, and moral uprightness remain foundational to academic and professional success. She reminded the freshers that character is as important as competence, and that the reputation of the department rests significantly on their behaviour.

Similarly, the Regular Programme Coordinator, Dr. Kanayo Nwosu, admonished the students to take their lectures and academic engagements seriously from the very beginning. He stressed the importance of consistent attendance, active participation, and diligent preparation, noting that excellence is not accidental but a product of deliberate effort. He encouraged them to remain focused and committed so that they would graduate with flying colours and make the department proud.

An alumna of the Department of Marketing, Cynthia Anumba, speaking on “The Pathway to Success Outside the Classroom,” challenged students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. She urged them to take calculated risks, embrace failure as a learning process, and intentionally build personal brands anchored on reliability and consistency.

Also, Mr. Ezeani Andrew, a web and software designer, in his presentation on “Marketing Outside the Classroom,” highlighted the growing importance of digital presence and strategic self-positioning. He encouraged students to develop relevant skills, step outside their comfort zones, and cultivate the confidence to clearly articulate their value within minutes.

Dr. Gabriel Ekwunife further reminded the inductees that marketing does not operate in isolation, emphasizing creativity, effective communication and value creation as essential tools for avoiding negative brand perception.

The induction ceremony also featured a spirited debate on the topic “Social Media Advertising is More Effective than Traditional Advertising,” and the formal oath-taking administered by the Faculty Marketing Senator, during which the students pledged allegiance to the department and its professional standards.

The Departmental President, Comrade Miracle Owuesu officially welcomed the freshers into the academic community and urged them to uphold the values of excellence, integrity and diligence.