Best Legacy International Secondary School, Awe, Oyo State, last Saturday celebrated excellence in 81 graduands of the 2023 set at its 17th Valedictory Service and 21st prize-giving ceremony. The event held at the school’s hall was graced by eminent personalities including the author of ‘Effective English,’ Dr. Mrs. Modupe Okebukola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowder University, Oyo, Professor B. O. Popoola and the senator representing Oyo Central District, Senator Yunus Akintunde.
Dr. Okebukola, in her speech entitled “Dare To Be Different,” charged the students to make up their minds to stand for their uniqueness as designed by God especially against the wrong standards, disregard to parents, absenteeism from school and other societal ills.
Okebukola said students should be different as they would be responsible for their life. “For you to develop your God-given potentials, you have to be different; live those things you consider right even in the face of name-calling; always speak the truth, stand for integrity; run away from people who will negatively derail you while you let people know what you stand for and build on your strength.”
She told the graduating students not to aspire to be like another person especially, when such person is doing the negative thing. To escape from the corrupt society she recommended: Not living contrary to the values and virtues given by parents and school even when it means standing alone; being courageous and living a life of purpose and impact by not joining others to do wrong.
Parents of the graduating students were charged not to create a gap for strangers to come in between them and their children. They should rather be their friend and role model and be intentional to keep their wards at all times. She also recommended close monitoring to know who the children associate with are important.
“Listen to their language, understand their footsteps and have interest in all they do. However, discipline them as written in Proverbs 29:17,” Okebukola advised.
Senator Akintunde, who is the chairman of the occasion, congratulated the students and advised them that wearing graduation gown and shoes were not the most important on gradution day but taking a decision on life issues as they move to the next phase of life.
Akintunde told the students two decisions he said were instrumental to his successful journey in life. The first, he said, was made during his university convocation ceremony. According to him, that day he said he would not search for employment while the second, he explained, was determination to survive though the government would not be able to cater for every graduate.
He therefore charged the graduands never to think small but instead to think positive because that enhances life. “Whatever you think of, believe and you will achieve. Think positive, dream big and work hard.” Akintunde gave the students five things to hold on to as they journey on in life. They are: Believe success is possible; action cures fear; never sell yourself short; surround yourself with positive influences and take initiatives/advantage of knowing people because they will always need a ladder in life. He admonished them to identify their own ladder-family, religious, alma-mata and climb it.
The proprietress of the school, Dr. (Mrs.) O. Y. Giwa, expressed gratitude to God for the past years and reminded the students that life is like a book and it goes chapter by chapter.
She said whatever they wrote in each chapter of the book with the ink of decision given to them by the Almighty God, defines them. She therefore charged them on the need to bear in mind the values the school had taught them.
“The world we are today is filled with diversified lifestyle and the youth of today see crime as a norm once it puts food on their table. So dare to stand out like those three Hebrew children who made a resolve to make a difference. Do not fold your hands when there is something you could do; do not shy away when duty calls.
Dr. Giwa said: “You are a very relevant tool in building a strong and virile nation, a nation free from corruption, tribalism, nepotism and other forms of social problems we have all around today in our nation.”
The Principal, Mr. A.G. Oyelekan, listed the school’s achievements at local, national and international competitions and noted that the students made the school proud by coming home with numerous prizes/awards.
He, however, reiterated the school’s commitment to raising role models.
Oyelekan charged the valedictorians to be determined and purposeful as they go to the outside world full of challenges capable of stopping anyone who lacks tenacity and determination. He admonished all of them never to give up and also make use of all the training they had received during their years of knowledge acquisition.
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