As hundreds of Senior Secondary School (SSS3) students across Lagos State prepare for their final examinations and transition into higher learning, prominent Nollywood actors Yvonne Jegede and Tobi Makinde have issued a stern warning against the dangers of campus vices, peer pressure, and social media distractions capable of derailing their future.

The warning was delivered at an intensive sensitisation seminar, tagged Campus Flaws Awareness Programme, organised by the Etiquette Poise and Protocol Resource Academy (EPRA) at Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos.

The initiative was designed to expose outgoing secondary school students to the social traps, dangerous influences, and behavioural pitfalls common in tertiary institutions before they gain admission.

Delivering the keynote address, acclaimed actress, Yvonne Jegede urged the students to approach their impending independence with deep sobriety and personal accountability. She stressed that choices made at this critical juncture would shape the rest of their adult lives.

“The choice you make will determine where you are tomorrow. Any mistake you make is yours. As you make life decisions, ask yourself, ‘Who am I becoming?’ This will determine who you become,’ she warned.

Jegede cautioned against sacrificing long-term ambitions for short-lived thrills, urging the youth to be hyper-aware of their environment and selective about their social circles.

She said: “Know your distractions. Be aware of your environment. Enjoy yourself, but know when it becomes a distraction. Don’t let temporary fun destroy your future. Check the friends you have. There are people who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be careful with the kind of friends you choose.”

Addressing the heavy influence of digital platforms, the actress warned students against falling into the trap of false online personas and unhealthy social comparisons. She noted that what young people consume online gradually shapes their character and public reputation.

She concluded by advising the students to reject the pressure to compromise their values just to belong, encouraging them to seek mentorship before making major life choices. “You’re not too young to make decisions. Start early… Ask yourself, ‘Will the choices I make today make me proud of whom I will become tomorrow?’”

Echoing Jegede’s sentiments, fellow Nollywood actor, Tobi Makinde emphasised that while talent and academic ability can create opportunities, only good manners and character can sustain long-term success.

“Whatever choice you make will make or mar you. Good manners and good character are crucial. “Talent and skill will take you far, but good manners will take you farther. It will open doors,” Makinde said.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor, Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, explained that preparing students for higher education requires addressing their character alongside their academic readiness.

Prof. Kolawole highlighted that Trinity University currently boasts 22 fully accredited programmes, including newly added courses in Community Health, Public Health, and Environmental Healt, as well as the Trinity University Skills Acquisition Academy designed to give students practical entrepreneurial tools.

Explaining the rationale behind the seminar, EPRA Director, Keji Oladimeji stated that the initiative was created to address the growing concern over secondary school leavers succumbing to social vices like cultism, substance abuse, and academic fraud upon entering university campuses.

According to Oladimeji, equipping students with foresight and practical advice before they leave secondary school is key to curbing campus delinquency.

To reinforce the lessons of the day, the event featured a live stage drama titled Campus Flaws, which vividly illustrated the consequences of bad peer pressure and poor decision-making, offering the students a visual reminder to protect their future.