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‘There is no such thing as overnight success’

By Maria Diamond
30 November 2019   |   12:56 am
Penultimate Sunday, Corona Secondary School, Agbara, gathered together a pool of experts and captains of industry to admonish their pupils on how to embrace success during the school’s annual Speech and Prize Giving Day at the school’s sprawling premises in Agbara, Ogun State.

Guest Speaker, Mr. Rotimi Ashle-Dejo (left); Principal, Corona Secondary School, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Chairman, Corona Secondary School Board, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, at the Corona Secondary School speech and prize giving day in Agbara, Ogun State.

• Pupils Advised At Corona Prize-Giving Day

Penultimate Sunday, Corona Secondary School, Agbara, gathered together a pool of experts and captains of industry to admonish their pupils on how to embrace success during the school’s annual Speech and Prize Giving Day at the school’s sprawling premises in Agbara, Ogun State. This year’s theme was titled: “Redefining Success.”

Aside students, parents, and staff, the event was well-attended by several captains of industry and dignitaries such as the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, guest speaker cum Chairman of the occasion Founder/CEO Girafit.com, Mr.  Rotimi Ashley-Dejo,  Mr. Dotun Suleiman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf among others.

In her opening remarks, the Principal, Corona Secondary School-Agbara, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamiloa, noted that though true success comes from hard work and dedication, however, the school was also very keen at other aspects of successes.

According to her: “This is a time where we as staff and students come together to applaud our achievements and efforts, and for recognising those individuals, teachers and students, and staff who have given a touch of excellence into what they do, who have distinguished themselves by going the extra mile and breaking standing records.

“This recognition hinges on behavioural and academic excellence, as well as sports, clubs, and so many other areas. It is based on sound psychological principle of reward and reinforcement. “Success is such a misconstrued phenomenon, hence the need to situate what it is in the right perspective. True success is what comes from hard work. There is no such thing as overnight success. She continued: There is a common misconception, which equates success with a mere improvement on a previous record. While we concede to the fact that, improvement will be part of success, we contend that it does not define it.

“Our understanding is that, success involves setting a goal, and taking the right steps towards accomplishing it, with later life focus and undeterred success and determination. It is combination of those steps.“And like we say to our students regularly, you are never going to be able to score a goal until you take a shot. You cannot sit on the sideline and suddenly begin to score goals, you have to take that shot, and that is what success is about.”

In his address titled: “Not Too Early to Start,” Deji-Ashley encouraged students on the need to start aspiring to be successes at a tender age.The illustrious speaker made a mark on all in attendance by giving inferences with notable achievers such as Thomas Jefferson, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Copeland, and Ben Carson, who all became achiever cum inventors, at very tender ages between eight and 15 years.

According to Deji-Ashley: “Nobody sees you when you decide to be successful until you attain success. This tells you that success goes beyond that decision. The decision is just the beginning. “And the first key to success is to discover what you are good at, and try your best at it. Our lives are a series of successes and failures. But if you don’t try something, you can never know if you can attain success in it or otherwise.”

He also debunks the notion that poor academic performances is caused by student’s participation in extracurricular activities. According to him, on the contrary, “from research students who engage in extracurricular activities are also the high flyers academically.

“However, parents job is to help them manage their time effectively and not to stop them from extracurricular activities. And parents should stop deciding choice of career for their children. Your job is to guide them in choosing what they are best at, that way; they can glow and amount to success.”

He concluded that for those not being awarded today, “It doesn’t mean that they are less successful, as everyone is a success at something,” as he stressed on the need for them to believe in themselves and devise a new strategy to achieving their set goals.From junior classes to senior classes, awards were given to students who have performed excellently in their academic pursuits. Those that have made the school proud at both national and international levels were also rewarded.

The staff were not left out. From the non-teaching staff to the teaching staff, excellence, outstanding and selfless services among others, were rewarded, even as students sang praises of the efforts of all their teachers.One of the high-points of the occasion was the announcement of the Principal’s Special Award winner, Fayobomi Olusola-Falodun, for her outstanding commitment in adding value to her fellow students, and her polymathy.   

The Corona Secondary School Best Teacher of the 2018/2019 Session Award was won by Mr. Solomon Owolabi, who also won the Most Dedicated Teaching Staff Award.Speaking with journalists Fayobomi expressed great delight at the recognition  bestowed upon her by the principal, a feat she described as unexpected. According to her, “I didn’t see this coming; I am just doing what I am supposed to be doing, without even noticing that I was being observed by the Principal.

“I am very excited about this award and I want to appreciate the students, staff and everyone at Corona for making this possible. I don’t think I deserve this better than other students who also do some of the things I do, but I must appreciate the principal for so counting me worthy.”

Of significant successes recorded by the school were the ACCA Foundation Level passed by 10 of the students. During last session’s SAT, two students scored 1550, out of the attainable 1,600, making it the second highest SAT score in the world while many students scored above 300 in the last JAMB, and an average score of 272.

“In competitions within the country, we just received a plague from the Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN), won the US Consulate History competition for the Worlds Women History Month and capped it with ‘National History Competition for Nigeria.

In the academic awards category for the 2018/2019 session, the school showcased the best performances. The head-boy, Gbenuola Olaiya, said the highest point for him was the recognition of teachers. According to him, “They do a lot to ensure that we are at our best, and they hardly get the glory, we do. Hence I am grateful to them and glad the management also recognised their efforts.”

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