Education

FEDORAH Chimaobi Anyaegbudike, daughter of Victor Anyaegbudike, external communications coordinator at Chevron, who emerged as the best graduating student with eight awards from Dowen College, on Friday, June 16, was all excited and full of gratitude as she delivered the valedictory speech at the college.

In her Anyaegbudike emphasised the importance of education as the bedrock of any society and that children should compliment efforts of their parents by making them happy.

“The most important thing in this world is to see your parents smiling and know that you are the reason behind that smile. We appreciate your kindness and patience in nurturing us from our births till this moment,” she said.

Anyaegbudike, who felt honoured to deliver the speech, traced the journey of the graduating students from the time they all joined at junior secondary and some, from senior secondary school to the graduating day. “I’m afraid and excited at the same time. We’ve spent years rehearsing this day in our heads and on behalf of the graduating class of 2017, I’d like to render a vote of thanks to everyone that has made this day possible,” she said.

After thanking God Almighty for His tender care, mercy and showers of blessings, she quoted Matthew 5:16 which says: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”

She did not leave out Olumide Philips, the chairman, and Toyin Philips, his wife, in her words of appreciation for the college. She also thanked the principals and other members of staff for their kindness, cooperation and hard work.

Nevertheless, Anyaegbudike’s speech was instructive in many ways. She said: “I stand here, a manifestation of love and pain. We have all had our fair share of disappointment and upset. Allow me to quote the late Steve Jobs: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped at dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” One definition of success is the ability to look back upon your life from your death bed without regrets. You don’t want to live your life wondering what could have been.

“The late Nelson Mandela has also taught us that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” When you ask of our ambitions in life, we blurt out the most fantastic careers and that’s all possible because we have a world class education. We stand upon the cusp of infinite possibilities, how can we not be envied.

“Ahead of us is life in all its beauty and majesty. Ahead of us stands all the years we are yet to live, the experiences we are yet to know. However, while you chase your dreams and aspirations, you must not forget to see through the eyes of compassion, listen with ears of tolerance and speak with the language of love. Always appreciate what you have, the journey of life, while letting those imaginations run wild.

“As you step out of these walls to join new families, I want you to always remember your genesis. We are all members of one family namely THE DOWEN FAMILY. The foundation for future prosperity is built on the bedrock of great schools. We have all been taught the Dowen way of life which is centred on what we term as the ABCD of Dowen. I know we’ve heard it a million times before and maybe even multiple times a day but I don’t ever want us to forget it so I’ll say it again. A – Academics, B – Beauty, C – Culture and D – Discipline. We have all grown into powerful, intellectual individuals with the potential to change the world. “While the idea of material success does influence our lives heavily, I ask that we all strive to be the best versions of ourselves by placing wisdom and courage side by side.

“Congratulations class of 2k17! May God continue to give us many more reasons to celebrate.”

—  Jun 20, 2017 @ 15:20 GMT

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