By: Oyekunle Eniola, Fasasi Balikis
The Nigerian Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), University of Ibadan, officially welcomed newly admitted students into the Department of Political Science on Thursday, April 9, 2026, through an orientation programme.
The event, themed “Intentional Beginning: Building Relevance in a Changing World,” brought together members of the NAPSS executive council, alumni, and students of the department.
Delivering the keynote address, a graduate of the department, Mr Ayobami Abraham, emphasised the importance of self-reflection and purpose. He urged the fresh students to constantly ask themselves critical questions about their role in society, particularly what relevance they intend to contribute to solving societal problems. According to him, academic excellence alone is not sufficient; rather, students must be intentional about personal development, adaptability, and building strong networks.He further noted that becoming relevant extends beyond graduating with high grades, stressing the need for foundational knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to engage with challenging ideas.
Also speaking at the event, another alumnus, Mr Damilare, challenged the freshmen with the question, “Is it necessary to build relevance?” He explained that classroom knowledge alone is inadequate for addressing real-world challenges, urging students to commit to continuous personal and intellectual growth. He encouraged them to remain resilient despite inevitable academic and personal challenges.
The immediate past President of the department, Mr Adeoti Mubarak Adebare, advised the new students to approach their academic journey with seriousness and intentionality. He encouraged them to remain spiritually grounded and to pursue excellence from the onset of their university life. He also urged them not to delay their ambitions, stressing that greatness begins with small, deliberate steps.
As part of the programme, awards were presented to winners of the essay competition organised in honour of the late Professor Aituajeirene Pogoson. The event concluded with closing remarks and a prayer led by the Vice President of the department, Miss Rahma, who also encouraged the freshmen to actively engage with their assigned mentors for guidance throughout their academic journey.
