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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. has advised Nigerian students to eschew violence and lived above board.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. has advised Nigerian students to eschew violence and lived above board.
Nweke, who gave this advice at the valedictory service and graduation of the Queens College, Lagos, at the weekend, said going by high index of deviance in our schools, it became imperative to re-orientate the youth to make proper use of their time.
While stating that parents have a major role to play in their wardsâ?? upbringing, the minister said government would not fail in its responsibility to ensure stability in the society.
He called on the graduands and other students not to see education as an end in itself but a means to an end.
Nweke also called on the graduands to see the occasion as step towards further achievement in life and not to be carried away things of life.
While imploring them to face their studies in order for them to achieve greatness in their future endeavour, Nweke said with numbers of vices that prevailed in our schools, "it will be a tragedy for them to trade their dignity away at the expense of their studies.
â??Going by the motto of your school, I will implore you to remain on the path of honour and not indulge in any inglorious act," he said.
Nweke said they were privileged to have passed through the school that has produced distinguished Nigerians who are great achiever in life.
Speaking on the topic "Sustaining Excellence in Girl's Educationâ??, special guest of honour, Prof. Omolara Orafidiya, remarked that as ladies, they must make best use of their time and opportunity available to them â??rather than indulging in unprofitable things. As many of you are dreaming to enter university, you should not perceive your admission as a promotion to other level, but as a different experienceâ??.
While advising them not to see university education as a yardstick to success, she urged them to make up their minds to succeed in life. Orafidiya also urged them to make discipline their watchword, face their studies and do not join gang of those who submit their bodies in exchange for marks.
She cautioned the parents not to enforce any career on their children but to play an advisory role in the choice of their careers if they really want them to succeed in life. Describing freedom as one of the things human being sought after, the school Principal, Mrs. Mojisola Abolade said as they launch themselves into another phase in life, they have the heavy responsibility to decide what to do with their time and plan for their future.
"It is correct to assert that every student looks forward to the day they are going to bid good bye to the school. The intensity of longing may differ from student to student, but the motive is invariably the same...We know the training, values and skills you have received in this college will enable you discharge your duties and responsibilities successfully," she stated.
While wishing them success in their future endeavours, the principal warned them not to forget that there is no end to learning and how to relate well with God and people they might encounter on their ways in life.