Speeches

The Graduation/Prize-Giving Ceremony for “Class of 2007” Students of Rainbow College Surulere, Lagos

Jul 20, 2007 - Today is indeed a special one in the academic calendar of this school, as it marks the Graduation/Prize-Giving Day Ceremony for the Class of 2007 Students of Rainbow College, Surulere Lagos. The outstanding and diligent students among the graduating class are being honoured and recognized. I congratulate all the prize winners at this event, I wish to enjoin those of you who are not being recognized not to feel discouraged, but to intensify your efforts and be more committed to your studies.

As a father, I understand your joy and emotions on such a day as this. The graduating and Prize-Giving Day generally is designed to send a message that there is indeed reward for hardwork. Academic excellence comes with consistency, diligence and hardwork. Success in life is not an overnight attainment you must plan and work for it, as you progress in your academic pursuit, you must endeavour to imbibe the virtues of discipline and seriousness of purpose as your watch word. As the saying goes: nothing good comes easy, you must be painstaking in your efforts to be a success in life, bearing in mind that education is vital to human development.

The role and impact of education in the all-round development of a child cannot be over-emphasized, it is therefore in recognition of the prime position that education occupies in the socio-political, economic, and human development generally, that our administration has taken as its priority, the development of this critical sector by effectively harnessing all human and material resources essential to its growth. We are building on the gains of the reforms embarked upon by the immediate past administration and do hope to surpass its achievements. Our focus, goal and determination are to provide qualitative and functional education consistent with our socio-economic and, technological needs, and to adequately equip our children and youths for global challenges in the future.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, it must be emphasized that education is a vocation which requires the expertise and devotion of only committed educationists who are propelled by the strong passion and vision of nurturing our youths and children towards a glorious future. It must never be viewed as a profit-making business venture for all comers. The management of educational institutions is too crucial and it is not meant for charlatans. The future of our country and indeed Lagos State depends on the level of academic standard our children are exposed to today. We must, therefore, be mindful of what foundation we are laying today for our future development.

I must in the words of former American President J. F. Kennedy, reiterate that “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education”.

Ladies and gentlemen, with the student population in Lagos State and our open door policy of free education to all children of school age, the educational sector requires the complementary participation/contribution of well-meaning private investors. However, I wish to emphasize on the need for all private schools proprietors and proprietress operating in Lagos State to ensure compliance with the State Government policies and regulations guiding the establishment and management of schools and educational institutions in the State.

On our part as a responsible government, we are mindful of the rights of all children to qualitative education in a conducive learning environment. We shall not shirk in our responsibility and commitment.

To the graduands of today, I rejoice with you all and congratulate your parents and guardians on this joyous and historic day in your life. However, I enjoin you not to rest on your oars. You are now ambassadors of your alma mater, the Rainbow College, Surulere, I urge you to remain determined and focused in your academic pursuit. You must prove your mettle wherever you find yourselves and thereby justify the assessment of your potentials and ability by your teachers.

As you grow into adulthood, you must shun every act capable of bringing your names and those of your families into disrepute. Learn to develop and position yourselves for future challenges, as the future is for the serious and disciplined to grab. What you make of your life today, is what it becomes tomorrow. Be grateful to your parents who in spite of all odds had invested in your future by providing you with this type of sound, qualitative education, which many children of your age, due to the accident of birth were denied of similar opportunity. How else can you be grateful than to be good ambassadors of your individual families and alma mata wherever you go.

We as parents and guardians must not shirk our divine responsibility, we must continue to provide necessary guide and support for these children who are our future. We must present ourselves as models worthy of emulation. I urge you all to always take matters affecting your children very seriously and train them for a Brighter and Rewarding Future.

I wish to recognize the contributions of the proprietress and the entire management of Rainbow College, Surulere for the quality education they are impacting to their students.

Once again, congratulations to all prize winners of today. My dear students, I wish you well in life.

Thank you all and God bless.

“Eko o ni baje o!”

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State