_By Fr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie, PhD  

For students of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), the past two weeks have been a whirlwind of academic rigour, sleepless nights, and unrelenting mental exertion. From the moment the Institute’s Examination Officer, Rev. Fr. Dr. Abel Anthony, famously remarked, "After the reggae comes the blues," it became evident that the first-semester examinations would be no ordinary academic exercise.  

For returning students, who started the transition, beginning  from last academic  session,  to NUC  Core Curriculum and  Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), that too was a mild challenge. Some new courses, Masterfully  handled by  lecturers, and an evolving academic landscape demanded rapid adaptation on the part of students. The recruitment of additional faculty members meant students had to adjust not only to pedagogical styles but also to heightened academic expectations.  

For the fresh intakes, the experience was even more daunting. The intricacies of

Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS)

and the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS)

 were the least of their concerns, as they grappled with the pressure of rigorous coursework, voluminous note-taking, and an institutional zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice. The equation was simple: excel or risk academic peril.  

Each examination day presented fresh hurdles. Students juggling multiple papers on consecutive days had no respite. For Mass Communication students, practical courses and statistics loomed large like academic goliaths. Religious Studies scholars wrestled with the complexities of Hebrew and Greek. Philosophy students, on the other hand, braced themselves for the intellectual storms of Symbolic Logic, Critical Thinking, and the enigmatic Philosophy of Mathematics.  

Amidst the academic turbulence, students shared their experiences, reflecting a spectrum of emotions—from relief to resilience.  

Janefrancis Chinemezu Enwerem, a first-year Philosophy student, expressed gratitude:  

"I'm happy for the opportunity to write the exams. Initially, I was apprehensive, but I found the questions to be fair and aligned with what we had been taught in class. I deeply appreciate the efforts of our lecturers and the examination board."  

For John Nsikan-Abasi Joseph, a third-year Philosophy student, the experience was mixed:  

"The exams were generally fine, but Philosophy of Science was particularly tough for me."  

Promise Dickson, a first-year Mass Communication student, echoed similar sentiments:  

"The exams went well, but the GST courses were more challenging than I anticipated."  

This too was the sentiment of Mary Obande his coursemate. 

With the examinations now behind them, students eagerly anticipate the inter-semester break, which will not only provide much-needed rest but also opportunities for extracurricular activities and fieldwork, especially for those gathering data for research projects.  

While addressing the students at the conclusion of the exams, Rev. Fr. Dr. Abel Anthony commended them for their discipline and commitment. However, he left them with a resonant reminder:  

"A true student is never on vacation from learning."  

His words struck a chord with the students, who responded with resounding applause. And as they dispersed, their collective voice rose in a triumphant chant:  

"To God be the glory, great things He has done!"