Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, on Friday, gave a stern warning to students who engage in cult activities at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) to withdraw from the institution or be expelled.

The governor gave the warning during the NDU 7th combined convocation of the institution.

Recent incidents of students’ cult rivalry reportedly claimed lives in the community.

It was the second time in a week that the governor had issued such a warning.

He gave a similar directive to security agencies in the state and the attorney-general and commissioner for justice on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting to speedily prosecute anyone arrested for cult-related crimes in Bayelsa.

He restated his call on students to avoid cultism, stressing that there was no room for such activities in universities, but rather it is a place for character building and learning.

He said: “Recently, I spoke to the Vice Chancellor about the resurgence of cultism in this university.

“May I use this opportunity to warn those who did not come here for learning and character building to withdraw on their own.

“There should be no room for cultism in this university. I have given the Vice Chancellor a charge as the Visitor to this institution, and as government.

“I have also charged all security agencies in the state. Anyone found engaging in cultism in this university, they should not hesitate to apply the sanctions,” he said.

Mr Diri assured the institution that 25 years after it was established by the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha administration, his government would actively contribute to the narrative that will shape it for the next 25 years.

He said having done the groundbreaking of the 5000-seater convocation arena and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building before the ceremony commenced, the arena would soon be completed.

He assured that under his administration, facilities in the institution will adhere to accreditation standards set by the National Universities Commission and the relevant regulatory boards.

“As I reflect on this momentous occasion, my joy is indeed amplified by the knowledge that, as a government we are in our modest way actively contributing to the narrative that will shape the next 25 years in the institution.

“It is notable that the Faculty of Environmental Science complex boasts a comprehensive range of facilities, featuring 24 classrooms, 18 design studios, six modeling studios, six workshops/laboratories, among others.

Earlier, Allen Agih, thanked the governor for appointing him as the 5th Vice Chancellor of the institution and that it was his first convocation ceremony.

The VC said 6,536 graduates took part in the ceremony, including 5,726 for Bachelor’s degrees with 69 First Class honours.

There were also 810 higher degree graduates, including 16 professional diplomas, 191 postgraduate diplomas, and 458 master’s degrees.

Also, the Pro Chancellor, Matthew Seiyefa, said NDU had produced an adequate manpower knowledge base that had contributed significantly to its growth and development.

He noted that the institution had evolved to become the melting pot of ideas and initiatives, vital for navigating climate change and economic diversification.

(NAN)