Former students of the Lagos State University, Ojo, were all out to mentor students of the institution on how to succeed, after acquiring their certificates.
The speakers included two alumni of the institution, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, a certified pilot from the United States of America, Mrs. Enitan Dan-Faparusi, and renowned actress, Mrs. Joke Jacobs (Silva), and popular actor, Mr. Segun Arinze.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Ambode told the students to make the best use of opportunities around them, especially the Lagos State ‘Ready Set Work’ and the career development centre established by the university.
She added that the aim and vision of the state government was to chart the pathways and produce employable and marketable graduates for national and global relevance.
Mrs. Ambode, however, added that the onus lied with the students to make use of the opportunities because many of them had cut short their dreams by getting involved in social vices such as cultism, smoking, alcoholism, prostitution, consumption of illegal substances and hooliganism, among others.
Stating that no excuse could justify their indulgence in these vices, she disclosed that the vices could lead to serious health disorders, including cancer, while others unleash negative effects such as acute panic reactions, anxiety attacks and fear and loss of self-control.
“No matter the peer pressure, emotional challenge or psychological issues you may be facing, I urge you to say no to drugs, cultism and other vices because one moment of indiscretion is enough to ruin a life,” she admonished the students.
In her speech, Mrs. Enitan Dan-Faparusi, a graduate of the Law Faculty of the university, urged the undergraduates to be desired, determined, diligent, dedicated and disciplined in the course of their study and they would excel.
She related to them how she became a pilot after graduating from the university 27 years ago.
“I was not science inclined but with the help of my children and husband, I started from the basics and was able to study and then got the certificates,” she said.
Mrs. Dan-Faparusi also insisted that no matter what they might achieve in life, the students would need to give back in future and that was exactly what she had been doing.
She assured the university authorities of adequate support whenever they wanted to start a school of aviation or in any other area she could be of help.
Mrs. Joke Silva in her remarks, urged the students to take the skills they acquire very seriously as they proceed in their courses of study because “it is not certificate alone that says who you are, what is important is the skill you have
acquired.”
Mr. Segun Arinze on his part, told the students to have foresight and be determined to
succeed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olarenwaju Fagbohun, said the programme was an attempt to deliver part of the vision he outlined on assumption of office a little over two years ago.
