By Precious Oluwole

It was a colorful day at Federal Government College, Idoani on Friday, as the school held Valedictory Service for 2022/2023 set.

The Director Principal of the school, Mrs Eno Okaliwe in her opening remarks said that the Valedictory Service is designed to celebrate the students whom the school have groomed for 6/3 years.

“Valedictory Service for the out-going SS3 students is always a special occasion. It is the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved. It has been journey that started with tentative steps, but one that has brought us this far. We have experienced exceptional moments that will be fondly remembered in the years ahead”.

” In the Couse of nurturing you to fit into the society, we established a relationship which made us to interact in many ways. We taught you, we praised you, we counselled you, we queried you and we punished you to mould you and makc you upright, in order tomake you relevant in the society”.

“Be informed that we did all those things to inesit good moral behaviour in you. We believed that your success is our delight. You are the prospective leaders of the society and hope of our great school. I cherish the belief that you will not forget your root. Be discipline, honest and morally upright”.

Never allow yourself to be negatively influenced, remember your alma- mata, and also do not forget your teachers”.

She appreciated the parents whose indispensable support and sacrifice have been the backbone of the success of the Graduarnds.

The Chairman and guest speaker at the event, Com. (Dr.) Gideon Bakare stated that national policy on Education 2013 described Secondary Education as the Education that children received after Primary Education and before Tertiary level, with the aim of preparing children for useful living within the society, prepare children for higher education.

“We can therefore say it is the bridge between the primary and secondary level. It is also a spring beard where all must pass through in order to be useful to themselves and to the society”.

Bakare, who is the State Secretary of Trade Union Congress and immediate past PTA chairman of the school acknowledged the unique dedication and commitment of the teachers of the school as the epitome of the students track records of excellence, stressing that their commitment has always inspire graduating students of FGC Idoani to imbibe the school philosophy and values which includes among others, respect, dignity of labour and selfless services.

While congratulating the graduands, he added that they will now see life better than they used to see it.

“In the course of your stay in the school, you have established relationship with colleagues, non-teaching or teaching staff. Let it continue, you will definitely need it in future. Someone might have crossed you or vice versa, or you receive beating from teachers that is making you think they hate you, remove the thought from now. Those are all that are needed to make you grow”.

He advised the graduands not to forget their root and while waiting for admission into that course of their choices, they should arise and do something productive and positive with their lives such as, going for skill acquisition.

“In any challenges, keep on moving, with time your good works and achievements will overshadow your challenges and you will also get there”.

“To our parents, thank you for your support and sacrifices to achieve success by the graduands. It is my prayers that you will all live long to eat the fruits of your labour”.

Alhaji Raheem Soliu who gave the graduands a word of exhortation in Islam said they should let the fear of Allah dominate their minds, so that they will be blessed on earth and even after. Always do good whenever they find themselves, be honest, respectful and be a good ambassador of the school.

Also, Rev. Canon Michael Awodogan who gave his word of exhortation in Christianity, said the students needs to be courageous, take a risk, do something new, be determined and have self control. He added that they should not join bad gang, be faithful and know the God they serve.

The Parent Teachers’ Association Chairman of the school, Mr Sunday Ale, advised them to shun every act of indiscipline, be more focused and never relent in doing good.

While inducting the graduands into the Alumni, the National President of FGC Alumni, Mr Temitope Akinlonu urged them to never allow themselves to be taken down, take every opportunity that comes their way to create a better future for themselves.

“As you embark on the next phase of your life, it is important to acknowledge that life’s journey is not without challenges but you must try to overcome them. It is through overcoming challenges that your character is strengthened”.

The students who couldn’t hide their joy appreciated the school management, their teachers for giving them a solid foundation. They promised to make use of the advice given to them.