Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans, Directors, Chairs and Heads of Department, Coordinators, faculty, staff, SOKU Leaders, students including international students, our dear Freshmen, ladies and gentlemen.
I am Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo. I work in the Vice Chancellor’s Office. In that Office, I discharge functions of the Vice Chancellor.
The title of my address today is “Your life is a book whose author is you: What is your responsibility?”
First, let me accept the enormous privilege bestowed on me to welcome you to Kibabii University, fondly referred to as KIBU. The incredible KIBU. Allow me to pronounce with confidence and optimism that it will be your preferred home for the next four years. Secondly, let me take the honour earned in my long academic journey to congratulate you on your sterling performance in 2024 KCSE exams and for the special consideration of admission to this competitive institution. This is your choice University. That being the case, I now would like you to swear that I be in the 14th Congregation of November, 2029.
Today marks the climax of your orientation ritual. I am going to reinforce in summary form what you have heard from the professors sitting in front of you for the last two weeks. It is simply how you should live in your new home. But first a question. Imagine writing a book that you cannot turn back to edit or correct. How would you write it? Definitely with care and total commitment. I want you to start writing that book today.
To write a book one must have an inspiration. I am going to inspire you through an analogy. I am sure all of you have heard about the 1000 kilometers wildebeest migration from The Serengeti in Tanzania to Maasai Mara National Game Reserve in Kenya and back. The wildebeests and not wild beast, called nyumbu in Kiswahili are spectacular animals. The animals leave their familiar territory to take a journey fraught with peril of predators and all sorts of threats. Why.? It is for survival. We can learn a few lessons from these members of the antelope family. They include instinct, resilience, timing, character, focus, energy, appearance, team spirit, and lack of respect for boundaries. More importantly, they are social animals. Some elaboration based on ten (10) points will enable me drive home my message.
- Just like the Wildebeests move from familiar territory by instinct you a human being with a logical mind should be more deliberate. Leave your comfort zone. Forget about home with all the luxuries. Adopt this as your home. Learn how to live on your own.
- Focus on what brought you to Kibabii. Avoid any form of distraction. This is not a place for marriage, drugs, alcoholism, etc. The consequences of this deviant behavior are multiple ranging from the now famous Triple Threat. At the moment, however, ii has evolved into the Quadruple Threat.; that is early and unwanted pregnancy, infections such as HIV, Gender Based Violence, and broken relationships including those with your parents.
- Time management. Manage time effectively. Try new things. Get involved in clubs.
- Character: It is imperative to brand yourself. All of you are potential professionals. Start emulating your mentors early.
- Develop survival instinct. Be prepared all the time. Take advantage of every available opportunity. University is about opening horizons and frontiers. Take advantage of all University resources and activities.
- Readiness for challenges in journey of life. Sharpen your adventurous spirit quite early. Ask questions that epitomize “Utundu wa ujana.” All staff are here to answer your questions.
- Prioritize your activities. Learn to say no.
- Team spirit. Connect with people. Invest in social capital. Build support system by connecting with others. You however must avoid the herd psychology. We are lethal with discipline cases. In case of issues, seek dialogue.
- Health: Prioritize physical and mental health. Develop a life support system. Where you have issues, seek counselling. Asking for help is not weakness.
- Add value. Transform yourself. Keep a diary, Daily schedule. Take professional courses. Apply special finishing. Refine yourself. Identify and nurture your talent. Develop skills. Studying is enjoyable when you like it. Emulate some those who have come before you. One published a collection of poems that became a class text.
People have sacrificed and invested in you enormously. They have done so financially, emotionally, spiritually, socially, materially, and time wise. Don’t disappoint them. This orientation is like a driving lesson. If you drive carelessly you know the outcome. You should be like a professional driver. Use the side and rear mirrors.
If you apply lessons from the wildebeest, you will record success and positive change. For a start, I want you to test this hypothesis. Just be positively different when you go back home for your Christmas vacation.
In conclusion I wish to leave you with a mantra. NO ONE CAN STOP ME FROM WRITING THE STORY OF MY LIFE. THE RESPONSIBILITY IS MINE AND PEN AND PAPER BELONG TO NO ONE.
I look forward to reading your book in November, 2029. God bless you.
