By Adibe Emenyonu
Pioneer graduating students of the Centre for Forensic Programmes and DNA Studies (CEFPADS) of the University of Benin, have been urged to focus on how best they can utilise their forensic and DNA knowledge to contribute positively towards remedying the decay in the country with regards to insecurity, kidnapping, killings and other social vices.
Director of the Centre, Prof. Edeaghe Ehikhamenor, who gave the advice during the orientation of new students and oath-taking ceremony by the out-going pioneer students of the centre in Benin City, said its vision would not be realisable if they get obsessed by self-induced crises in the country.
“Keep the forensic light bright by ensuring innovations of ideas at every point to remedy the existing challenges.”
While noting that few universities have solitary programmes on Forensic, he said none in Africa have the type ofunified diversity of Forensic and DNA curriculum that makes the UniBen to stand out distinctively.
Ehikhamenor who added that the essence of the oath-taking ceremony is to sow the seed of reminder in the hearts of the graduating students, noted that as great ambassadors of the centre, they owe themselves, the university, as well as the greater society, the responsibility of sustaining a forensic practice with credibility, ethical considerations, honesty, transparency and exemplary mentorship to the younger ones.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. David Izekor, commended the centre for its achievements, and urged the graduating students to ensure high moral standard without blemish.
On the request by the centre to be allowed to run masters and PhD degrees programmes and have some of its challenges addressed, the VC said management of the institute was looking into the requests, adding that it was collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to that effect.
