Baptism of fresh graduates

Over the years, graduates in most tertiary institutions are given what i tagged "Baptism of graduates". This is a yearly ritual most students do in tertiary institution over the country to graduating students. It is believed that from the first day a student stepped his/her foot into the lecture halls of any Nigeria tertiary institution, he/she experiences all sorts of troubles from lecturers, course mates, unions and all forms of fellowship. This can not be over emphasized as it is the truth in almost all Nigeria tertiary institutions.

It has become a norm that an average Nigeria University student must go through a lot of hunger and starvation during his/her four, five or six years stay in the university due to the economical background that could not even provide food for her citizens. The all night candles, the charging of gadgets in neighbours' apartment that could afford electric generator sets, the rush to examination halls, the cultist intimidation, and the night classes are all the few stress that a Nigeria young graduate needed to be baptised when he eventually scaled through.

The baptism of graduates over the years has been for joy and happiness especially those being baptised. They feel relieved from the burdens on their shoulders for the period they spent in school. They feel fulfilled.

The ugly part of this baptism is when some of these young graduates are being wicked by their "enemies" in school. Instead of being poured water as it may, some are being baptised with corrosive acid and 100°c water. Instead of happiness, mourning becomes the end of it all.

Most institutions like the University of Benin, had condemned this act of this "baptism of graduates" in the university due to the above reasons. Nevertheless, the Baptism of young graduates was initially for merry; a ritual to wash away the all troubles made to pass through while they were in school. It is also a sign of a new begining outside the school environment.

Asking one of the young graduates caught doing this baptism of young graduates, Umukoro Jeris a young graduate from the University of Benin told us that he was not expecting it before he saw water from all corners as he rounded up his final exams.

"I was not expecting to be poured water when I finished my last exams. But it came unexpectedly".

Though he said he was angry at first as they messed him up but later found joy in it and he felt happy.