CANADIAN GATEWAY SCHOOLS, OKOTA, GRADUATES PIONEER STUDENTS IN GRAND STYLE.
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Canadian Gateway Schools, Okota, Lagos, on Friday, 19th of July 2024, held graduation ceremony for her pioneer students amidst pomp and pageantry.
The well organized event marked the end of 2024 academic year as parents, families and friends turned out in their numbers to celebrate their wards.
In his valedictory speech,
The Principal of the School, Mr. Felix Ilesanmi, tasked the students on hard work and dedication as he emphasised that “success is not achieved on a platter of gold”. Ilesanmi expressed gratitude to God Almighty, noting that the school recorded yet another successful session with no account of death, injury or critical illness.
The principal in his statement, urged the students to be good ambassadors of the school. “l have few words of advice which will guide you to achieve the ultimate vision of Canadian Gateway Schools which is to prepare well-rounded students that can stand out globally. Remember, your palm is a chisel with which you fashion your life the way you want, you are an entity of yourself. There has never been anybody like you and there will never be anybody like you. Therefore, do not make yourself a slave by following wrong people.”
” As parents and teachers, we are products and reflections of our upbringing, no adult can discard his childhood years, so this school has taught these students how truth, honesty and discipline pay, and why they must wear them like jewelries and Pearls round their necks.”
Furthermore, the Principal cautioned the graduating students against living fake lives, saying that it could be detrimental to their lives in the long run. “The ills and vices in the society today are too many but you must boldly and courageously stand out from the crowd and make yourself distinct and remarkable.”
The Principal further cautioned the graduating pioneer students against making themselves victims by joining the bandwagon of youths who are outrageously and terribly passionate about mundane things at the expense of their lives and souls but rather strive to keep their heads above water in all circumstances. He urged them not be easily swayed or manipulated by the caprices of others but focus on their goals in life, and always imitate what is good and denounce the wrong ones.
Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Bolu John Folayan, an Associate Professor in McPherson University, Ajebo, Ogun State, cautioned parents against luring their wards into choosing courses against their will. He admonished parents and guardians to always pay attention to their children to know the areas they are good at and encourage them to develop skills in those areas. ” According to Dr. Falayan, ” you don’t have to compel your child to study law while he is very talented in drawing. Encourage them to go into the areas they are naturally gifted,” he stated.
Canadian Gateway Schools, Okota, is not just a citadel of learning, it also nurtures and readies her students for superlative showings Globally. The prestigious school, according to the Principal, is in partnership with Acadia University, Wolfville, Canada, as well as Thompson Rivers University, also in Canada. The affiliation, avails its students the privilege of visiting Canada for academic excursions and capacity building programmes, gaining international exposure .
However, 50% of Grade 12(SS3) students are on their way to Canada for Summer Holidays. Our students have future prospect of continuing their education in Canada, America and the United Kingdom.
However, awards of varying categories were presented for excellent performance, and the categories are : Best Graduating Primary School Student went to Odinaka David; Best Graduating Student; Junior Secondary School, was presented to Anike Blessing; The Valedictorian of the Year, 2024 Award went to Bosah Daniel; Best in Science was- Udochukwu Jessica; Best Behaved Student Award went to Okere Mmesoma, while Pioneer Graduating Student Award went to Oluwatunmise Taiwo Dairo.
Children were given equal opportunities to perform at the event, different musical performances and sundry renditions were perfectly factored into the programmes of the extremely colourful event to make it a memorable one.
