Yajifarz Foundation, BSA reward best students at EABSGS graduation, as Odetomi, Benjamin Orji, Akande advise graduands

Yajifarz Foundation, BSA reward best students at EABSGS graduation, as Odetomi, Benjamin Orji, Akande advise graduands

Adbdulrasak BELLO & Jeremiah OYELEKE

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Academic excellence was deservedly rewarded Thursday at Emmanuel Agboola Baptist Secondary Grammar School (EABSGS), Ogbomoso, Oyo state, as two foundations, Yajifarz Foundation and Booda Sunday Adeyemo (BSA) Foundation awarded prizes to best academic performers.

While Yajifarz Foundation, whose chairman is High Chief Abdulmajeed Oladimeji Solademi (an international businessman), gifted students who took first positions in each subject (from JSS One to SS Three), branded exercise books, BSA Foundation awarded tech training scholarships to best graduating students in Science, Commerce and Art Departments.

The branded exercise books awarded best performers by Yajifarz Foundation

Sup Ganiyu Solademi and Olowode with the overall best students from JSS One to SS Three

Junior school classes (JSS One to Three) and senior school classes (SS One to Three) offer eleven subjects and fourteen subjects respectively and all top performers were awarded the prizes.

The valedictory service was organized in honour of the JSS and SSS graduating classes, who recently finished their final exams, BECE and WASSCE respectively.

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Chief Solademi represented by his father, Superintendent of Custom Ganiyu Solademi (rtd) a.k.a. Mento De Gas; his sister, Alhaja Idayat Solademi; Olowode of Owode, HRH John Akinkunmi Areo Oyadeyi; Abdul Raji Suleiman and Isman Haruna, disclosed the foundation had been promoting sports development in the past through a football competition in Ogbomoso, proprietorship of a female basketball team in Abuja campaigning in the national league etc, “but now we are adjusting our focus to include educational development.”

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Olowode who spoke on his behalf congratulated the graduands and urged them to be focused “so you would be useful in the future.”

Similarly, Booda Sunday Adeyemo who sent words said “the world is now in a frenetic pace digitally, and so, it is imperative we build our young ones to take on the digital opportunities. That is why we are offering digital training for the three best graduating students in the departments of Arts, Commercial and Science.”

Ex-chairman of Ogbomoso South local government, who chaired the occasion in his address titled, “Adolescence: A stage that can make or mar you,” affirmed that the choices made at the period of adolescence would have a profound impact in their lives.

Hon Remi Odetomi

Mr. Niyi Olaleye

Dn John Akande

The principal Mr. Femi Ogunlana

The three-term chairman pointed out that the adolescent stage (10 – 19 years) represents the foundation laying stage, asserting that “A strong foundation produces a stable structure, while a weak foundation may lead to failure. Likewise, the habits, friends, attitudes, and decisions you develop during adolescence will largely determine the kind of adult you become.”

Odetomi who also served as Commissioner in Oyo state, urged the graduands to build good habits and avoid negative influences stressing these habits would make them achievers in the future.

He harped on personal relationship with God, respect for parents, teachers and elders, diligence and wise management of time, associating with friends who encourage positive values, maintaining honesty, integrity, and good character, setting clear goals and working hard to achieve them, eschewing social vices, and using technology and social media responsibly, underlining these choices would help to make them.

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Contrarily, he stressed that choices such as keeping bad company, drug and substance abuse, examination malpractices, sexual immorality, cultism and gang involvement, internet fraud otherwise known as “Yahoo Yahoo” and other criminal activities, laziness and indiscipline, as well as disrespect for parents, teachers, and constituted authority, are habits capable of marring their future.

He now charged them to work to get it right in life. “It is very important for you to get it right at this stage of your life. You are seriously advised to build a solid foundation on which you can build throughout your life. When the foundation is weak, you won’t be able to build on it in the future for it will collapse,” while narrating how God saved him from continuing in a life of drunkenness at adolescent stage.

JSS Three graduands

Mrs. Iyabo Theresa Akande, a retired principal, chairwoman at the occasion, represented by her husband, Dn John Akande, in her goodwill message, congratulated the graduands reminding them that “learning never stops.” She consequently encouraged them to “pursue your passions with courage, embrace new challenges and stay true to your values.”

Akande told the students the world is eagerly waiting to “see the impact you will make later.”

Mr. Benjamin Orji, the programme director at Parrot FM, Oke-Baby Ogbomoso, who spoke on the topic, “Now that you are going into the world,” charged the graduands to avail themselves of the vast opportunities today’s world offers including pursuing higher education, vocational training and entrepreneurship.

“Today marks the end of a chapter you have been looking up to. You are entering a world filled with endless opportunities and also challenges. But now as you go into the world, first and foremost, the certificate you will be getting from this citadel of learning in one way or the other will open doors for you to achieve your greatest dreams.

“The decision you take today as said by our father, Hon Odetomi, will make or mar you in the future. What decision will you take as you are going into the world? What identity do you want to project? It is a privilege to finish secondary school.

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“You are graduating now but that is not the end of learning. Learning continues. Now you are done with SS3, either you proceed to higher institution, for vocational training, or proceed to entrepreneurship, any one you choose, God will only bless those who strive to be better. Whatever, strive to be your best, be the best in whatever you choose to do.”

Orji advised they be ready to face challenges and disappointments while urging them never to cave in when such arises. “Never allow them or setbacks to define you. Never quit.”

He likewise charged them on utilizing the opportunities embedded in innovations and technologies, adding, “You must position yourself to make use of the opportunities. Embrace the technological advancement in a positive way.”

He also admonished them to make impact in the society and be ready to take leadership roles and never to run away from responsibilities. “Always strive to be your best, so that you will be proud to say I am an alumnus of Emmanuel Agboola Baptist Secondary Grammar School,” he added.

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The ace broadcaster then implored them to in the future remember to give back to their alma mater, to never forget their teachers, believe and trust God, have bold and feasible dreams, work towards the dreams and embrace faithful prayer.

In his valedictory speech, outgone senior boy, Jacob Oguntunde, expressed appreciation to their teachers and parents for shaping them in the best version.

Oguntunde urged his colleagues to remain good ambassadors of the school