‘Only educated youths can move the nation forward’

-BY DAYO ADESULU

If the youths are not educated, Nigeria cannot move forward, talk less of being able to fulfilling the vision 20:2020.”  This was the remark of a less privileged, Adesoji Adeshina who despite his humble background studied hard to have scholarships both in College and university.

The 17-year-old boy who emerged best graduating student at Edgewood College, Lekki, Lagos, said that as a less privilege person, the only way to attract the sympathy of people was to take his academic seriously. According to Adeshina, his success story began when he came second at the Lagos State spelling bee and subsequently became the deputy governor of Lagos State for one day in 2010.

Moreover, when he made eight distinctions and one credit in his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), Lagos State government and House of the Rock took knowledge of him and gave him scholarships to university level.  However, because of his academic performance at the A Level examinations at Edgewood College, provisional admission has been given him to study Bio Medical Engineering at Imperial College, United Kingdom with a scholarship from House of the Rock.

Asked the secret of her academic success, Adeshina said: “When I was at Ansaruden Comprehensive School, Okota, I saw it wise to get close to a teacher who assisted me academically on difficult subjects. I spent most of my time in reading and assisting other students in their difficult subjects”

He pointed out that his studying habit became better when he enrolled for A level courses at Edgewood College which prepared him for overseas admission. “At Edgewood, I was opportuned to use well equipped functional library, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and committed teachers who brought out the best in me,” he said.

Speaking at the valedictory service, Director, Edgewood College, Mrs Phillips Kehinde said that students should have the confidence to commit themselves, strive for success, gain merits and confront challenges. Phillips charged students to hunger for diligence, honesty and service stressing that they should go with all the assurance that they can make the world a better place. “Shake the world with your abilities and create a positive mark in all that you do,” she added.

Her words: “Edgewood College has armed you with the right tools for now and the future. Do not disappoint us by letting yourselves into crimes and other vices, mediocrity and carelessness. You have had a solid foundation here. It is our expectation that these graduates will lead from the front-line in the fight for a better Nigeria and indeed, a better world.”

Also, Pastor Mrs Adefarasin Ifanyin from House Of The Rock who counselled and prayed for the students urged them to make good fight, strive for excellence and integrity, adding that no one can find the key of success under the alarm clock. “If the alarm clock does not wake you up, wake yourself up,” she said.