By Bianca Iboma
Radiance High School, Lagos, recently held its 14th valedictory ceremony for its 2016/2017 graduating senior secondary students. The school graduated 58 SSS3 students.
Parents of the students as well as staff were at the school premises to share in the joy of the students. Egbo Emelum was the best graduating student and valedictorian.
Emelum said he was glad that, after six years of struggle, he was leaving the school with honours. Awards were also given to the best performing students.
Chairman at the event, Mr. Chuks Obinesie, charged the graduating students not to make wrong decisions, and be mindful of the company they would be keeping out of school.
Obinesie urged them to make judicious use of their time, adding that they should not chase after things that would add no value to their personalities.
“I know there are many trends that seem captivating to young adults, but they should be able to sieve some of the trends and understand that it is not everything in vogue that they should be part of. What would be beneficial and add value is what they should engage in, including the social media. There is nothing wrong if they intend to have fun but they must be careful with the way they go about it,” he said.
He gave examples of people who took many wrong decisions on their own and how it affected them and retarded their progress in life.
The principal, Mrs. Edith Okonkwo, in her speech, appreciated the staff of the school as well as the SSS3 graduating students on their moral conduct and good academic performance during their stay in the school. She advised that they should be of good behaviour no matter where they go, urging them to stay away from any anti-social activities in higher institutions.
“To our graduating students, I sincerely appreciate your good academic and moral discipline while with us. I know that the good Lord will always be with you. But you must conduct yourselves in a responsible manner as worthy ambassadors of Radiant High School,” she said.
Okonkwo noted that the advancement of technology has created innovations in the various careers available now and urged them to be problem-solvers.
“The world is waiting for you. You should stand out of the crowd. You must recognise the various forms of distraction and avoid them,” she said.
Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ethel Menkiti, who was represented by Chuba Menkiti, called for a review of Nigeria’s education system. She said the pitfalls in tertiary education were being blamed on secondary school education but explained that the school has imbued the students with sound education even as she charged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the school. Menkiti said the school had inculcated sound morals in the students and charged them to continue to make the school proud.
Menkiti admonished them to shun social vices and emulate great minds like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Page and Mark Zuckerberg, all of whom took advantage of opportunities as youngsters.