Every where you find a couple of young people who have excelled because of their character, and have become change agents and leaders who are able to change their nations.
A person who has character but lacks competence will not be effective. An individual who has competence but lacks character will ruin his/her family, organisation, nation and ultimately self. “However, always start with character. As you go into strange countries and without your parents being there with you. Please be determined to be change agents, and remain different.
Do not follow the crowd, do not cut corners and do not succumb to peer pressure. Remember to obey the laws of the countries, where you are going and be prayerful, vigilant and God-fearing.
Be careful of the friends you keep and the places you go. I know you would want to have fun, but just be careful because a lot of things you take for granted in your country might be regarded as serious crimes in the nations you are going to. Make sure you are trained to be the best in your class and do not forget where you are coming from and all the good character you have imbibed at GIC.”
Those were the words of advise bequeathed to the Class of 2015 of Global International College (GIC), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, by the proprietress of the college, Mrs. Abolaji Osime.
At the event, which was the 16th in the series, Mrs. Nkoyo Rapu in her keynote address also charged the youths to be the agents of change that the country needs. “We cannot talk about change successfully and nation building without the younger generation. You have the gift of opportunity and youth; you must use them to your advantage.
You are not the people of the future, but the Nigeria of today and so we look up to you to bring about the change that we need,” she said.
Rapu urged the students to complement the effort of their parents and guardians and work hard to do well in their chosen careers, added, “if your parents are not stealing the money they spend on your education, when you calculate it, it is a sacrifice.
Your parents are paying school fees with their hard earned money and so you must be determined to be successful in all that you do.” While commending the proprietress of the college, for providing quality education in Nigeria as well as the staff of the College, Rapu charged the graduands to make maximum use of their talents. “We find out that when you use what God gives you and you use it resourcefully, and it is multiplied, there is a joy that comes to you,” she said.
