– By Olaoye Oyewole & Fahidat Mohammed
Aimed at inspiring secondary school students of Ogun State to achieve excellence in their education, Dr. Olusegun Ogundiran, the Global President of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Alumni Association, delivered a message emphasizing the importance of focus and determination.
Dr. Ogundiran, while speaking during his Presidential Address at the 11th Annual Career Talk for Senior Secondary School Students in Ogun State, encouraged the students to be resolute in their pursuit of academic success.
Dr. Ogundiran emphasised that no subject is without value, urging the students to cultivate strong reading habits.
Represented by the Global Ex-officio, Mr. Samuel Adebesin, the Global President also advised the students to seek proper counseling when choosing their subject combinations.
He expressed his gratitude to the Abeokuta Alumni Branch for consistently organising the programme for secondary school students in Ogun State over the years.
In his Welcome Address, Mr. Alaba Okuneye, the Chairman of the Abeokuta Branch, highlighted the common errors made by students when filling out their final year subject combination forms.
He encouraged teachers to guide students during this process, as mistakes in subject combinations could hinder students from gaining admission to higher institutions, including the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), subject combinations.
Mr. Theophilus Lashilo, Director of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology in Ogun State, delivered a speech titled, “Effect of Nigeria’s Current Situation on Career Choices: Accessing Opportunity in the Dark”, where he advised students not to be disheartened by the country’s current challenges, stressing the importance of determination and focus for achieving success.
He reassured them that setbacks, such as failing the SSCE on the first attempt, should not deter them, and suggested considering re-sitting to excel.
Mr. Lashilo also expressed confidence that the country’s precarious situation would eventually improve, urging the students to prioritise their future. He advised them to avoid engaging in anti-social behaviours, adding that they should not allow the current circumstances to disrupt their path to success.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Sanjo Somefun, explained that the event was fully sponsored by the Alumni Association, noting that the primary aim was to dispel misconceptions about career choices influenced by peer pressure and other factors.
The event was organised by the Abeokuta Branch of the Alumni Association and was held at the Centre for Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), Conference Hall. In attendance were students from various secondary schools from the Abeokuta metropolis such as Sacred Heart College, Ibara; Nawair-Ud-Deen (NUD) Grammar School, Obantoko; Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele; LÃsà bà Grammar School, Idi-Aba; African Church Grammar School, Ita-Iyalode; and Gateway Secondary School, Ita-Iyalode.
