Strong foundation, mentorship vital for university education, NGO tells secondary school pupils

EDUCATION stakeholders have told senior secondary school students that a strong secondary school foundation and sustainable mentorship by teachers and parents are vital for a successful and productive university education.

The stakeholders said this in Lagos at a workshop organised by the Girls in Charge (GIC) Foundation for selected SS3 students from over 40 secondary schools in Lagos State during the week.

The founder of the foundation, Victory Oyakhilome, noted that the annual project, now in its third year and themed ‘Empower to Succeed 3.0: Raising Excellent Students’, aimed to empower, encourage, mentor, and support students who are about to write external examinations like WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB to further their education to the tertiary education level.

“Through the project, we teach them how to make better career choices, the relevant skills to learn, and the right courses to study and how to excel in them,” Oyakhilome said.

The GIC boss said that they have heard testimonies from their past beneficiaries who have excelled in these eternal examinations, even scoring high in the JAMB examination, adding that they would keep the initiative up for the sake of the students.

The project manager of the foundation, Mary Anuoluwapo Alaka, described the project as a movement that believes in the power of education, the strength of dreams, and the boundless potential of every student.

Alaka noted that while the students are destined for greatness and capable of becoming who they want to become, they need to be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to navigate the journey ahead.

“Success is not just about what we achieve, but about who we become in the process. So, students, dream fearlessly, believe unshakably, and pursue relentlessly. You are the leaders of today,” she said.

A panel moderated by Chidera Nzeako had Favour Ehikwe, Esther Adebayo, and Oluwamuolamide as panellists.

The panel, discussing ‘How to navigate life in the university’, urged the students to study the courses they like and will do well in, and not study a course because their friends are studying it.

They advised the student to put in the best work and the best version of themselves in their studies and other meaningful activities in the university or other tertiary institutions they find themselves.