Stop binging on phones, social media, educationist tasks students

The increasing number of hours that students spend fiddling with their mobile phones, as well as interacting on social media is gradually becoming a source of worry to educationists.

The latest to do this is the Education Director, Mind Builders High School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs. Morolake Falore, who spoke at the school’s 2021 Valedictory Service and Graduation/Prize-giving Ceremony, themed: “Unstoppable: Strive for greatness.”

Falore, while expressing worry at the trend, said it is important for students to set realistic and achievable academic goals and to remain committed towards attaining them.

To achieve these goals, Falore said students must be “diligent, disciplined and avoid distractions, such as dedicating all their time to phones and social media.”

Falore’s position on avoiding distractions was shared by the keynote speaker and Lead Consultant, Flourish Gate Global Consult, Mrs. Dideolu Adekogbe, who advised the students to “study diligently, stop wasting time on distractions and project themselves to attract success.”

Adekogbe, who is also the Lead Convener of Bring Back Primary Six Movement, while urging the students to improve on their academic pursuits and acquire skills that would spur them to greatness in life, equally charged them to be disciplined, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and prepare for success in all their endeavours.
 
“Fulfill your destiny and potential, calculate and plan your actions, seek opportunities wherever you find yourself as they come in different ways. Make decisions about your life that will improve you academically,” she said.

Adekogbe also charged parents to encourage their wards to achieve success in their academic endeavours, noting that parents play key roles in erecting strong academic foundation for their children.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, who chaired the occasion, told the graduating students to remain resolute, change their mindset and read inspirational materials that would spur them to greatness.
     
Omotosho, who was represented by the Public Enlightenment and Community Relations, Oluwatoyin Adeni-Awosika, said: “Greatness consists of the ability to do, and the proper application of your powers. You can only become great in what you made sacrifice for. Be ready for criticism and resentment. Do not be dampened by the negative state of things in the country. Remember no pain, no gain. You are the harbinger of your dreams and future, your teachers, parents and guardians have all shown you the path to greatness, its reality lies in your hands.”