The Saturday Editor, Independent Newspapers Limited, Lagos, Mr Yemi Adebisi, has advised the graduates of DABS Dynamic International School, Mowe, Ogun State to discover themselves and remain humble.
As the guest speaker at the school’s 14th graduation ceremony, Adebisi emphasised that self-discovery was crucial for being celebrated.
The theme of graduation and prize-giving ceremony was ‘Hakuna Matata,’ a Swahili phrase meaning “no problems for the rest of your days” or “don’t worry, be happy.”
He said, “You must discover yourself. There is something unique about you. Until you discover who you are, you cannot be celebrated. Let me use myself as an example. From a young age, I was very curious and loved writing. My parents preferred to hear the details of every activity from me because I would explain with specific emphasis. However, I ended up studying Microbiology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I graduated doing the wrong thing until I discovered that I was born to be a journalist. I went back to school and, by the grace of God, I have reached the peak of my profession today as an Editor of a national newspaper.”
He also encouraged them never to give up but to be humble if they wished to end well.
“Never give up; you can do it. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. No matter how hard any venture is, don’t give up. It is when you don’t give up that you will get up. Whatever is too easy may not have enduring value. You will only be appreciated when you have crossed all barriers.
“If you want to end well, you must not be proud. It is when you are humble that greatness will come your way. No matter what you have achieved, don’t boast; it is not by your power but a privilege from God. When you humble yourself, God will lift you to the next level.
“Don’t cut corners. You don’t have to engage in dishonest activities to succeed; it may ruin your future. You don’t need to cheat in any examination to pass. You don’t need to write your examination at a Miracle Centre to excel. Beware of peer influence. Be content with what you have. Don’t fall prey to bad friends. Remember, bad company corrupts good manners.”
Director, DABS Dynamic International School, Pastor Lordson Francis Boateng, said, “Our vision is clear, and we are diligently working towards it. We have achieved a lot with God’s help. We have produced students who have completed their university education. Today, some of our graduates are already employed, others are serving their country, and many are still pursuing their studies in various institutions, both within and outside the country.
“Beyond academics, we believe in a well-rounded education. We incorporate discipline and nurture talents in our students. Our efforts have paid off, as we consistently achieve success in various competitions. For instance, we once participated in an erudite competition and secured second place in the senior category, winning a total prize of about N100,000. This is a significant achievement for our school.”
Chairman of the day, Mr Olakunle Owolabi, called on the government to repair the roads in the community.
“The road to this place is not good enough. We always struggle to get here. With a supportive government, this school could be even bigger and better.”
