Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has counselled parents not to yield to the temptation of coercing their children to abandon their dreams.
According to the statesman, there is always a thin line between children’s dreams and that of their parents, especially when both are purpose-led.
Speaking at the 18th Valedictory/Graduation Ceremony of JEXTOBAN Secondary School, Ibafo, Ogun State, which had as its theme, “Global Excellence,’’ Gowon reminded the graduands that what they have learnt will give them “confidence to move to the next stage of your lives as well as the maturity to make positive contributions to society and country.
In commending the parents for sparing no expense in giving their wards sound education alongside good moral training, the retired General prayed “that the good results that will follow will show that your investments has not been in vain. Accept my best wishes for when these children begin to take care of you when you are no longer able to properly look after yourselves… Perhaps, I need to quickly add though that parents should try as much as possible to allow their children to live their own dreams because, more often than not, you will discover that there is not much difference between your dreams and theirs in so far as they are purpose-led.
In recalling his experiences as a young school leaver, Gowon said, “Shortly before I left school, I was strongly focused on being a teacher just because that was how best I felt I could repay the kindness of missionaries who gave me quality education. But God had a different plan. He made me join the Nigerian Army. It was not an easy choice, but it was a decision that I finally took only after I had sought God’s face. Twelve years after I joined the Army and about two months to my 32nd birthday, I became Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on August 01, 1966 (which in a few weeks would be exactly 50 years to the date). I never planned for it but God was in charge of my destiny. My point is this: always yield yourself to the Almighty; commit your ways to Him and He will do what only He can do.”
He continued, “Be dedicated to your studies and moral upbringing, for these will help you when you need to take tough decisions in later life. Love God and your fellow human beings,” adding that irrespective of whatever challenges Nigeria might be going through now, they must be patriotic.
Principal of the school, Pastor Emmanuel Adegoke, said that over the years, the school has been preparing students for the work-place through industrial training in banks, law firms and engineering companies, so as to equip them with practical knowledge.
In her valedictory speech, the outgoing head girl, Miss Ojukwu Anastasia, affirmed that the moral upbringing and quality training they were exposed to at the college had greatly impacted on the 2015/2016 set.
